Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Julian’s eyes blazed with anger as he clenched his fists tightly, each knuckle turning white, “You Aust wait, Caleb.”

I watched, astonished, as fear flickered in Julian’s usually fierce gaze, Was he actually afraid of Colin‘?

Turning to look at Colin, I saw his eyes dark with menace as he stared after Julian. It wasn’t until we were alone that his expression softened.

“The string of mishaps hitting the Langley family… it’s all happening too fast,” I murmured. “Colin, are you sure you’re not involved?”

Colin didn’t answer, just held me closer. “Phoebe, I’m starving.”

His voice was hoarse, and I couldn’t tell if he was feigning ignorance or genuinely clueless. He had been up all night without a bite to eat; of course, he was hungry.

I took him out for a hearty meal, then coaxed him into bed for some much–needed rest.

Sitting by the bed, I studied his face for a long time. Beneath that mask of Colin’s, what kind of face lay hidden?

Lying beside him, I, too, drifted off into a heavy sleep.

Being pregnant made me sleepy, and after a night without rest, tense in the interrogation room, I was exhausted.

I had nightmares but vaguely felt a hand pulling me close, holding me tight. My body warmed, and I finally slept soundly.

“Mr. Caleb, going after Mr. Henry now is too hasty. You might alert him. You shouldn’t be taking such risks for her.”

I heard Eric’s voice in my half–sleep.

“I won’t let anyone touch her.” Colin’s voice was ice cold.

“It was just an investigation, nothing serious,” Eric sighed. “But you’ve revealed your hand too early, and Mr. Henry might strike back. You’ve been patient for so many years; it’s not like your to gamble everything for her.”

“Do you think I’ve been biding my time all these years just for the dirty secrets of the Langley family?” Colin chuckled darkly. “Eric, you know better than anyone what I want.”

“Is she worth it?” Eric questioned.

“Fate is on my side…”

“Are you so certain she is…” Eric sounded anxious.

“She is.” Colin asserted with unwavering conviction.

10.02

I struggled to open my eyes, to grasp the full meaning of their words, but sleep was a heavy curtain.

The room felt spacious, and Colin and Eric’s voices seemed to come from just beyond the door. I curled up, trying to muster the energy to get up and eavesdrop.

Then the door opened, and there was Colin, holding a small cupcake, his eyes clear and bright, “Phoebe, you’re awake.”

He stood bathed in sunlight, the soft golden light creating a warm, clean halo around him.

The Colin before me always seemed pure and angelic, making me doubt my own senses. wondering if what I’d heard was just a bad dream.

“Colin…” I sat up slowly on the bed.

Colin poured me a glass of warm water, his loyal demeanor making it hard to stay upset. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“How long have I been asleep?” I asked softly.

“A full day and night,” he whispered, lying down next to me.

I was taken aback; had I really slept that long?

“Phoebe, want some?” Colin looked at me earnestly, his hands still stained with the remnants of fruit coloring.

I examined the cupcake – it was clumsily made. Had he made it himself, knowing Phoebe liked dragon fruit cupcakes?

“I don’t like dragon fruit,” I deliberately said.

Colin paused, his voice barely above a whisper. “Has it changed…”

Could tastes change?

I didn’t answer, feeling unaccountably irritable. “You eat it.”

I went to the bathroom and stared at my reflection for a long time.

Why had I been reborn? Why was I trapped in someone else’s body?

At first, I thought my rebirth in Foebe’s body was a second chance from above. But at some point, it began to feel like torture, my soul trapped in a body that wasn’t mine, alien and fraught with danger.

When I came out, Colin was gone, but he’d left the cupcake behind.

I took a bite; it was sweet but not sickeningly so.

The flavor was familiar, and despite everything, a small comfort in this strange new life.

For a moment, I was lost in a haze.