A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

"Look, there's a show!"

Calliope's eyes lit up as she spotted a performance happening right in the middle of the lake. She grabbed Silas's arm, dragging him along in excitement.

Silas followed her lead, helping her find a perfect spot near the water. The air buzzed with anticipation.

Suddenly, music blared from hidden speakers, and a group of craftsmen waded out onto a floating platform. They started setting up their gear, clearly preparing for something spectacular.

All around, people crowded the lakeshore, raising their phones to capture the moment.

Calliope eagerly joined in, fishing out her phone to record a video for her friends back home.

She was so absorbed in lining up the shot, she didn't notice when Silas slipped away from her side.

Silas had spotted someone in the crowd: Blythe, and next to her, Oliver. He hadn't expected to run into them here, and his first instinct was to stay put.

But then Oliver shot him a warning look-a look Silas knew all too well. If he stuck around, he'd just be putting Calliope in the crosshairs.

He glanced at Calliope, who was fully engrossed in the performance, and quietly ducked away into the thinning crowd.

Most people had clustered at the water's edge, leaving the outer walkways nearly empty.

"Silas! Long time no see. Do you remember me?" Blythe called out softly, stepping out from the shadows.

"Blythe." Silas's tone was neutral, but he remembered. They'd been childhood friends. What he couldn't figure out was why she was with Oliver.

Oliver, he despised. Blythe, on the other hand, he'd once been grateful to. Seeing them together made his skin crawl.

"I knew you'd remember me," Blythe said, her face lighting up. "I always knew you wouldn't just forget about me."

She stepped closer, her voice dropping. "Did you miss me, Silas? After all these years?"

She tried to loop her arm through his, but Silas pulled away so fast you'd think he'd touched a hot skillet.

He fixed her with a steady look. "I'm married now."

He wanted to make it clear that her little game was out of line. He had a wife, and

he wasn't about to disrespect her.

Blythe's smile faltered, her brows knitting together. She'd always believed she was special to him.

After all, she'd helped him out of etnoveldrama

more than one mess, back when they were kids. Surely, she thought, he wouldn't just brush her off.

But the way he looked at her now, it was obvious: he didn't want anything to do with her.

Was it because of Calliope? Did he care about her more?

Jealousy pinched at Blythe's heart. She'd known Silas longer, their connection had always felt strong.

"I told you, I'm married," Silas

saw us like this, she'd be

ed, his tone firm. "If my wifee

e her. So please don't to

me."

Blythe's hand fell away, her cheeks flaming. She shot an uncertain glance at Oliver.

Silas turned to Oliver, his eyes narrowing. "I don't know why you two are together, but if you're here to see me, it can't be good."

Oliver gave a little scoff. "What's with

the attitude, Silas? I'm your fath with Doesn't matter what I want, you should show a little respect.

Silas folded his arms, jaw set. He wasn't about to let Oliver get under his skin. Not

tonight. Not while Calliope was waiting for him.