Rebirth: Love me Again

[LINA]

After a few days, I found myself seated in a private hospital room, the sterile white walls contrasting sharply with the storm brewing inside me.

My brother, Cole, lay on the bed beside me, alive and well. Dylan's words had been true—his injuries were minor, just a few knife wounds that would heal without lasting damage.

But the relief I should've felt was overshadowed by dread.

My heart hammered against my chest as I waited. I knew what was coming—the inevitable confrontation when his eyes opened, sharp and fierce, and settled on me.

"Lina . . ."

The sound of my name on his lips was chilling, a prelude to the tempest I could feel rising in him.

I forced a smile, though my hands were trembling. "B-before you say anything, let me explain—"

"Explain?" His voice cut through mine like ice, his silver eyes darkening. "You're behind this, aren't you?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came. The explanation I'd rehearsed countless times dissolved under the weight of his piercing glare.

"The only way a kidnapper could get close enough to take Eve," Cole continued, his voice laced with venom, "is if the kidnapper was one of our own." He didn't need my confirmation. "And that means Dylan. He's the only one capable of pulling something like this—carrying Eve while fighting me at the same time."

My silence betrayed me.

"And I'm guessing Zen and the others were involved too?"

"Don't blame them," I said quickly, my voice shaking. "It was all my idea."

Cole's expression hardened, his frown deepening. The sharpness in his gaze was like a blade cutting into me.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"You could have killed Eve, Lina. Do you even realize what you've done?!" His voice was low but seething, each word laced with fury. "What if she had drowned? What if she'd died?"

"She wouldn't!" I said, my words rushing out in a desperate attempt to explain. "We planned everything carefully. You and Eve's safety was the priority. There were medics on standby, and we made sure the river was deep enough but had no strong currents—"

"Enough." His voice silenced me like a command. "If I could move right now, I might strangle you myself for this."

I lowered my head, guilt pressing down on me. "I'm sorry," I murmured, staring at my hands in my lap. "But I did it for you . . ."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, his anger hanging in the air like a thundercloud.

Finally, unable to bear it, I asked hesitantly, "So . . . did Eve confess to you?"

Cole glanced at me, his jaw tightening before he muttered, "No."

"What?" I shot up from my seat, disbelief flooding me. "After everything that happened? After all that planning? She still didn't confess her feelings?!" My frustration was palpable. "What is she waiting for? For you to die before saying how she feels?!"

Irritation bubbled inside me, threatening to boil over.

Was that how it was going to be, Eve? Was my brother's sacrifice—not just his safety, but his very life on the line for you—not enough?

Do you really need him dead before you confessed?!

Had all that planning been for nothing?

Was I truly powerless to change the future?

The thought seared through me, and my fingers dug into my palms, nails biting against skin as I struggled to keep my composure.

Cole's face flushed slightly, and to my surprise, he smirked. "It's fine. I got something better than a confession."

I froze, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. "Wait . . . you didn't . . . force her, did you?" My voice was shaky as I spoke. The thought of what Dylan had told me—the aphrodisiac—sent a chill down my spine.

His expression darkened instantly, his tone firm and indignant. "Of course not."

I sighed in relief, but he wasn't done.

"We almost made love," he admitted, his voice quieter now, "if not for Zen's impeccable timing. Honestly, you should've told that idiot to wait at least another ten minutes."

My face turned crimson as I shot to my feet again. "I don't need to hear that! How do I even know that you're doing that kind of thing?!"

Cole raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by my outburst. "You're the one who planned this. Shouldn't you know better than anyone else?"

I swallowed hard, guilt and embarrassment mixing into a potent cocktail of emotions. "I—I only wanted a life-and-death situation to push her into confessing her feelings. The drug wasn't my idea. I swear."

Cole leaned back, exhaling deeply. His expression softened just enough to make me feel worse. "Lina," he said, his voice calm but deadly serious. "Promise me you'll never pull something like this again."

His words carried a weight that made me pause. I looked at him, really looked at him, and saw not just anger but worry beneath his stern exterior. I nodded slowly, the words leaving my lips like an oath.

"I promise."

As long as your life is saved.

The tension in the room eased just slightly, though I could still feel his disapproval lingering.

"So . . . are we good now?" I asked hesitantly.

Cole's lips curved into a smirk, but his eyes held a glint of mischief. "Only if you agree to attend all my meetings for a month."

I groaned, sinking back into my chair, but I nodded. It was a small price to pay for his forgiveness—and, maybe, for a chance to plan another

situation

.

"At least you two got closer, right? I mean . . . if you almost went that far," I ventured carefully.

Cole gave a casual shrug, but I could see it—the subtle shift in his expression, the lightness that replaced the storm from earlier. It was as though it turned sunny all of a sudden.

I couldn't believe it—a single woman had the power to make my brother like this. Read exclusive chapters at empire

But then again, hadn't I seen the same thing countless times? My father had been utterly consumed by his love for my mother throughout these years.

Perhaps this was a sign—a fragile thread of hope to cling to. Maybe, just maybe, the future could still change. Eve had let him in . . . and maybe this was the beginning.

I bit my lip, pushing aside my lingering doubts. "By the way . . . what should we tell Eve? She's still in the other room, unconscious."

"Leave it to me," Cole said, his voice steady and assured.

"Just make sure she doesn't find out it was all my idea. If she does, everything you've worked for will crumble." I couldn't keep the warning from my tone.

"I know," he replied. "I'm not an idiot to let that happen."

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