Rebirth: Love me Again

[BONUS Chapter

for reaching 400PS! Thank you all!🤍]

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[LINA]

Inside the vast, echoing halls of my family's mansion, I paced restlessly, my footsteps muted by the luxurious carpet beneath me.

Cole had already left, and so had Dylan, the plan we'd concocted settling heavily on my shoulders.

To ensure everything went smoothly, we had brought Zen and his team into the fold. Their expertise was invaluable, their skills unparalleled.

I took solace in knowing their involvement raised the chances of success—and more importantly, the safety of both Cole and Eve.

I paused by the grand window, staring out at the expanse of snow-covered grounds. The biting chill of winter mirrored the cold ache in my chest.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

For all her faults, I couldn't bring myself to truly hate Eve. Though I despised her for what had happened in the past, I knew deep down it wasn't entirely her fault. Stay tuned with empire

She had only protected her heart, and I couldn't condemn her for that. Once, I'd been just like her—chasing after someone who didn't want to be caught.

The only difference was that when Eve finally stopped running after Cole, he turned around and ran after her.

I clenched my fists, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. No such fate awaited me.

I knew, with every fiber of my being, that if I ever stopped pursuing Dylan, he would feel nothing but relief. He wouldn't chase after me. He wouldn't miss me. He had made that painfully clear over the years, long before either of us had grown into the adults we were now.

From the moment my father had brought Dylan into our lives, scarred and hardened by a childhood of war and bloodshed, I'd been drawn to him. He was a living contradiction—beautiful yet broken, stoic yet fierce.

At ten years old, I'd mistaken his silence for mystery, his distance for strength. But over the years, I'd come to understand the truth. Dylan wasn't aloof because he didn't care; he was detached because he couldn't care. Not for me. Not in the way I wanted.

Still, I couldn't let go of him, even knowing I would only ever be a burden to him—a spoiled girl clinging to a shadow of hope.

But this plan wasn't about me. Not really. It was about Cole and Eve. It was about fixing what was broken between them, no matter the cost.

And if I had to give up my love for Dylan to do it . . . then so be it.

My chest tightened as I turned away from the window, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. This wasn't the time to dwell on unrequited love or old wounds.

There was too much at stake here than myself!

I exhaled slowly, steadying the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "For their happiness," I whispered to myself. "For their future, not mine."

And maybe, just maybe, if I succeeded, I could finally let go of the past—and the man who would never love me back.

I opened my notebook and began jotting down every pivotal event that would unfold over the next ten years.

I wasn't just trying to rewrite my fate—I wanted to protect the people I loved from the tragedies that would engulf their lives.

If I had the chance to change their futures, how could I not take it?

Two names stood out among the entries on the page:

Estelle

, my cousin on my father's side, and

Iraya

, my cousin from my mother's side.

These two were more than family to me—they were my sisters in all but blood, my childhood playmates, and my closest confidantes. We fought like enemies and loved each other fiercely, bound by ties no argument could ever sever.

If anyone deserved a second chance at happiness, it was them.

At this very moment, Estelle was likely flitting from one short course to another, as she always did. She had a restless spirit, eager to experience everything the world had to offer.

Iraya, on the other hand, was worlds away, studying at an exclusive private school in her father's homeland. Despite being the youngest of us all, she carried an air of quiet maturity.

Though, in hindsight, I questioned just how mature she was—especially since she let her toxic boyfriend treat her like she was disposable.

But my focus now was on Estelle first since she was the nearest.

Her tragic love story loomed like a dark shadow over her future. She would fall deeply, hopelessly in love—not with the wrong man, but at the wrong time.

Damien Frizkiel.

His name alone brought a sour taste to my mouth.

A billionaire magnate with an empire built on jewels, oil, shipping, and real estate. He was old money, so their wealth could rival ours.

He was the kind of man people whispered about in awe, his reputation as polished as the diamonds he sold to our family's jewelry chain, Bijoux.

In the past, he had been in his late thirties when Estelle met him—wealthy, powerful, and very much married.

Estelle had become his mistress.

The word alone made my heart ache. She had tried to hide it, but whispers spread like wildfire, tarnishing her reputation and isolating her from the family.

And yet, despite the pain and humiliation, she clung to Damien, convinced he was her one true love.

"He's my

soulmate

, Lina," she had cried to me once, her voice breaking. "I can't let him go. I love him more than life itself."

Her unwavering devotion had been heartbreaking to witness. And Damien? He refused to leave his wife and children. He had strung Estelle along with empty promises, leaving her trapped in a cycle of hope and despair.

The unfortunate thing was, Estelle couldn't break free. The damage had been done—irreparable.

But this timeline was different.

Right now, Damien was still a bachelor. If Estelle could meet him now, before life took its cruel turns, there was a chance for something real, something that wouldn't leave her shattered.