Rebirth: Love me Again

[EVE]

"Fine!" Helen spat, her eyes blazing with fury. "But don't forget, Eve—you owe everything to us! I gave birth to you! Without me, you'd be nothing! We're the only family you have left, and we sacrificed our lives in Germany to come here for you—and this is how you repay us?"

Her words hit like a slap.

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

I was hurt—not just by what she said, but by the way she wielded it like a weapon against me. As if I hadn't sacrificed anything to find them.

And then, just like that, Helen dragged Haley toward the exit, fuming all the way.

As soon as the doors shut behind them, a collective exhale rippled through the studio.

Dean turned to me. "You okay?"

I closed my eyes, inhaled deeply, then muttered—

"I felt tired all of a sudden."

Dean chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, I can't blame you. Your family is a bunch of self-centered ingrates. Even I felt exhausted just listening to them."

I pressed my lips together. He didn't hold back, did he? Then again, he wasn't wrong, so I didn't feel offended. If anything, it was refreshing to hear someone say it out loud.

Dean leaned back in his chair, studying me with a thoughtful expression. "Are you sure you're actually related to them?"

I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged casually, but there was an edge to his voice. "Just that your mother dotes on your sister like she's royalty while treating you like an afterthought. And your sister—well, she acts less like a sibling and more like an entitled brat auditioning for the role of Villain #1." He smirked. "I've met spoiled sisters before, but she takes the cake. It's like they don't even consider your feelings. Or, you know, basic human decency."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Not all families are perfect."

"Yeah, but yours sucks. Big time."

I let out a startled laugh. "Wow, Dean, don't hold back or anything."

He grinned. "What? I'm just stating facts."

Shaking my head, I leaned back in my chair. "I can't exactly choose my family."

Dean's expression turned serious. "No, but you can choose who you keep in your life. And right now, Eve? Those two? They're toxic as hell. You need to let them go."

I exhaled a slow breath, feeling a dull ache settle in my chest. "I spent years trying to find them. Trying to hold on to the idea of having a whole family. I can't just let go."

Dean's gaze softened, but there was a quiet intensity in his voice when he spoke again. "Eve, you don't need them."

I blinked. There was no teasing in his tone, no sarcasm or sharp humor. Just sincerity. A certainty that made my stomach twist.

"I'm here for you."

Something in my heart clenched at those words.

I looked away, suddenly feeling exposed under the weight of his gaze. Why did he say things like that so easily? We had only just met, and yet his words carried a kind of honesty that was overwhelming.

Not knowing what to do with the unexpected awkwardness between us, I forced a small laugh. "Thanks, Dean, but I'll be fine. Really. I just need to work things out with them."

Dean didn't argue, but the look he gave me said he wasn't convinced.

And honestly? Neither was I.

For now, though, I was grateful he didn't push. The topic of my family had never been a comfortable one.

Today was already exhausting.

And it wasn't even noon yet.

Work continued at an insane pace, and honestly? None of us had time to breathe. Hyun and the others were running on pure adrenaline, juggling tasks like overworked octopuses, while I tried my best to keep up.

Well, correction—they didn't have time to rest.

Me?

I wasn't allowed to so much as think about exerting myself.

Because Dean, in all his overprotective, chaos-wielding glory, had apparently decided that my well-being was now his personal mission.

It started small. I mentioned I was craving sushi—casually, in passing, not even really expecting anything. Next thing I knew, a delivery guy arrived carrying platter upon platter of the most expensive, high-end sushi in the city, complete with fresh wasabi flown in from Japan.

Japan, Dean. Really?

Then, when I dared to pick up a sewing needle to help with a design issue, Dean looked personally offended, like I had just insulted his entire bloodline. Within twenty minutes, an entire team of professional sewers arrived, fully equipped and ready to take over.

And let's not forget when I tried to carry a box of fabric samples.

I didn't even get to lift it. Dean swooped in like some kind of chivalrous madman, took the box from my hands, and then—I kid you not—had three additional assistants come over to carry it for him.

Hyun muttered something about "abuse of power," but Dean just waved him off and continued his personal crusade to keep me from lifting so much as a finger.

And the worst part?

It reminded me of Cole.

Cole, who used to do things like this—effortlessly, instinctively. Cole, who always made sure I was taken care of, even when I told him I didn't need it.

The familiar ache crept into my chest, a quiet, unwelcome guest.

I couldn't help but wonder . . .

Where was he now?

What was he doing?

And did he ever think about me the way I still thought about him?

I shook my head, forcing the thought away before it could take root.

Of course not.

Cole had moved on—forgotten me as easily as if I had never mattered. He had replaced me, effortlessly, with Elena.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself. That was the story I repeated, over and over, as if saying it enough times would somehow make it true.

But deep down?

A part of me still refused to believe it.

Because that wasn't the Cole I remembered. Not my Cole.