Rebirth: Love me Again

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[EVE]

"A study session?" Victor glanced at me over breakfast, brow furrowing slightly.

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"Yep," I nodded, taking a sip of my coffee. "We’re meeting up at 8 AM, then it’s about an hour drive to Lily’s vacation house by the lake."

His worry was almost instant. "You mean the Michill family’s only daughter?"

Victor shot a quick glance at Sinclair, who was busy playfully teasing Sebastian, poking the big old dog’s nose with a treats like a kid. "Heh, who’s your owner now, you spoiled old mutt?"

I tried not to laugh as Sebastian let out a low growl of protest.

Victor, still concerned, turned back to me with a forced smile. "Do you want me to drive you there?"

"You have a meeting later, Victor," Sinclair chimed in, giving him a knowing look. "And besides, it’s just a study session. Eve will be fine."

Victor sighed deeply, his expression tightening. "It could be dangerous. I’m worried about you."

Before I could respond, Cole intervened casually, still lounging at the table like he owned the place. "Don’t worry, I’ll be there with her."

Victor shot him a sharp look. "I wasn’t talking to you, Mr. Fay."

Cole’s smirk widened as he dabbed his lips with a napkin, looking like he didn’t have a care in the world. Honestly, he was so comfortable in Sinclair’s house lately that I half-wondered if he ever planned on going back to his own place.

"Relax," Cole said, "as long as I’m there, Eve will be safe."

Victor’s glare could’ve melted steel. "It’s you I’m worried about. You’re the most dangerous one here."

I rolled my eyes, trying to tune out their bickering as I focused on my breakfast. By this point, I was pretty much used to these two sniping at each other. It was like having two squabbling siblings at the table.

And honestly, despite their arguing, I felt a sense of relief knowing Cole would be with me. Heading into unfamiliar territory—especially at Lily’s place, an enemy territory—meant anything could happen.

Whether I liked it or not, I knew I’d be safer with him around.

"It’s a two-day study session," I informed them, ignoring their back-and-forth. "I’ll probably be back by Sunday."

Then I turned to Sebastian, scratching him behind the ears. "Hey, buddy, want to come with me? We could swim in the lake and have some fun under the sun."

Sebastian perked up, his tail thumping against the floor like he understood every word.

Sinclair scoffed, raising an eyebrow at Eve’s suggestion. "Swimming in the lake? In this weather? Are you out of your mind? It’s the winter season; the lake’s practically a giant ice cube right now!"

He shook his head. "And don’t even think about dragging old Sebastian out there with you. The poor dog barely makes it through a chilly breeze without shivering like a leaf. Last winter, he caught a cold so bad we had to tuck him in with two blankets and a hot water bottle. The vet said he might be the first dog he’s ever seen with a case of the sniffles. You want me to risk him slipping on ice and catching a polar bear’s flu too? Not a chance.

Sinclair huffed, crossing his arms. "His old bones can’t handle the cold, you know. He gets arthritis the moment he steps outside, and don’t even get me started on his stomach. The last time it dipped below freezing, he was curled up in his bed, whining with a bellyache like he’d swallowed an entire ice sculpture."

Sinclair pointed a stern finger towards the mansion. "He’ll be staying right here where it’s warm, wrapped up like royalty, and with someone doting on him every five minutes."

I stared at Sinclair with an impassive face. The way he fussed over Sebastian, you’d think the dog was his only child.

"A simple ’

no’

would have been enough," I said dryly. "No need to list every one of Sebastian’s winter ailments like he’s got a personal file at the vet."

Sebastian barked in response, his tail wagging so hard that the brooch I made for him jiggled on his collar. I chuckled and bent down to scratch behind his ears.

"Alright, buddy, maybe we’ll go next time when it’s warmer. Deal?"

Sebastian gave a little whimper, almost as if he understood. He leaned into my hand, his eyes wide and pleading like he was saying,

please, keep me with you.

Our conversation was cut short when Victor’s phone rang. I glanced over, surprised to see my face pop up on his screen as his background.

The image was from a photoshoot I had done for Élysée Luxe magazine not too long ago—one of my more glamorous moments, captured in high fashion.

I frowned, puzzled by it. Why would he use a picture of me?

Before I could ask, Victor quickly snatched up his phone and answered the call with a smooth, business-like tone, turning his back to me as if he didn’t want me to notice.

Cole, sitting beside me, let out a loud, disdainful scoff. He was munching on his breakfast, but I could hear him muttering under his breath. "That’s not even her best picture. I have something way better saved . . ."

I glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. "What on earth are you muttering about?"

He simply smirked, taking another bite of his toast, refusing to elaborate.

After breakfast, Cole helped me with my luggage as we made our way to his luxury customized van. There were supposed to be two vans waiting to take us all to the school, where we’d meet up with the rest of the group before heading out for the weekend trip.

However, I had no interest in riding with Sophie, Lily, and their gaggle of friends. It was better to have our own ride, giving us the freedom to leave whenever we wanted without being trapped with them.

When we arrived at the school parking lot, Daniel and Riri were already there, leaning against Daniel’s sleek car.

The moment Sophie and Lily spotted us, they made a beeline toward me, fake smiles plastered on their faces.