Rebirth Snatching Back My Stolen Luck novel Chapter 103

LILITH

“He even tagged along? Looks like you two really are together now.‘

That was the first thing Marissa said as Dean and I stepped into Julian’s office.

She was sprawled lazily on the sofa like she owned the place, one leg draped over the other, her phone dangling idly between her fingers as her gaze fell toward us.

For a beat, I froze. Had it really been that obvious–that Dean and I had only been pretending all this time?

But I composed myself just as quickly. So what if she knew? It changed nothing.

So I slid my hand into Dean’s, our fingers intertwining, and lifted my chin to meet her eyes head-

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“Allow me to introduce my boyfriend–Dean Callahan.”

After I finished, his grip tightened instantly. Glancing at him, I caught the faint curve tugging at his lips.

So happy over something so simple?

I sighed inwardly. This man was far too easy to please.

Turning back, I gestured toward the woman opposite. “And this is my sister, Marissa Caldwell.”

“Nice to meet you,” Dean said with a polite nod.

Marissa blinked in surprise but quickly recovered, one brow arching.

“Why so formal? We’re hardly strangers. Or have you been gone so long you’ve forgotten the people from your past?”

Her words soured my mood instantly.

Because she was right. There had been a past–however brief- between them.

A decade ago, they’d nearly gotten engaged. If not for his sudden departure, they might have even

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married…

Thinking of this, my lips pressed into a thin line, and before I could stop myself, I slipped my hand free of his.

I knew I was being petty. I knew it no longer mattered.

But the thought alone left a bitter taste in my mouth.

So when I spoke again, my voice came out colder than I intended.

“Where’s Julian?”

Both of them looked at me–puzzled by the sudden shift in my disposition–but I ignored their curiosity, keeping my gaze on Marissa.

She shrugged after a pause. “Still in a meeting. Why don’t you sit? He’ll be done soon.

Without a word, I crossed the room and dropped into the seat opposite her, lowering my eyes downwards.

A moment later, the space beside me dipped, but I didn’t look up.

“Hey,” Marissa said suddenly, her tone curious. “Is your girlfriend always this moody? She looked fine when she walked in.”

I scoffed inwardly, thinking–and what’s it to you?

But outwardly I stayed silent, straining my ears to hear Dean’s reply.

“Maybe she’s just jealous,” he said lightly, ignoring my resistance as he caught my hand again, amusement lacing his voice.

My head snapped up, surprise clear in my eyes.

How did he… figure it out?

But it was one thing to stew in silence, but to have him spell it out so bluntly made heat creep across my face.

Ahhh! How embarrassing!

Then I frowned, thinking bitterly that if I’d known dating–or even liking someone–was this mentally exhausting, I might have postponed accepting his confession a little longer.

Meanwhile-

“Jealous?” Marissa echoed, her foxy eyes gleaming with interest. “Over what?”

Dean only chuckled, offering no explanation.

But Marissa didn’t need one. She was too sharp not to catch the hint.

Her gaze narrowed. “Don’t tell me this is about that ancient, half–baked engagement? The one nobody ever took seriously?”

The way she said it–her tone incredulous and dismissive–only deepened my embarrassment.

It really did sound like… I was fussing over nothing.

Coming to this conclusion, I glared at Dean.

This is all your fault–for pointing it out, and for turning me into such a petty person!

He didn’t avoid my glare, only smiling as his fingers kneaded mine as if to soothe me.

“You’re right,” he told Marissa, though his gaze remained fixed squarely on me. “It’s ancient history. Hardly worth mentioning. But I suppose my girlfriend simply cares too much about me.‘ My eyes widened at his words, and at the unmistakable pride glittering in his gaze.

How had I never realized how utterly shameless he was until today?

No, that’s not right. He’d shown glimpses of it before, but never this blatant!

Marissa burst out laughing. “Looking at you two now, you’re truly perfect for each other.‘

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And what exactly was so perfect? I grumbled inwardly, though the flush on my cheeks deepened. Earlier, I’d thought Dean was easy to please, but now I realized I wasn’t any better.

Just a few words from him, and sweetness bloomed in my chest.

You’re hopeless, Lilith. He’s completely caught you in his snare.

At the thought, I dug my nails into his palm, but he didn’t even flinch and just kept smiling tenderly.

Before either of them could say anything else to deepen my embarrassment, the door clicked open and Julian walked in.

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“You’re here,” he said flatly, pausing when he noticed Dean beside me

The moment he spoke, the atmosphere shifted instantly, the room cooling as though he carried his own air conditioner with him.

Moments later, we were seated across from each other in two pairs: Julian and Marissa, Dean and

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“I asked you here to discuss your engagement with the Scotts-” Julian began, getting straight to the point as always.

But I cut him off with a frown, unable to hide my displeasure.

“I’m not doing it. As you can see, I already have a boyfriend. So whoever wants that replacement can take it. I want no part of this.”

For an instant, I thought I saw the ghost of a smile cross his lips, but when I looked again, his expression was as impassive as ever.

“You’re quite impatient, baby sis,” Marissa said lightly, half–teasing, half–reproaching. “You should at least let him finish.”

Try standing in my shoes, I thought grimly. Then let’s see how patient you can be.

Just then, a warm hand patted mine on my knee.

I glanced sideways, and saw Dean give me a soft, reassuring smile–as if telling me not to worry.

I sighed quietly. How was he always so attuned to my moods?

Meanwhile, Julian continued, his voice still even and detached.

“Your engagement is off the table. And so is any possibility of future collaboration with the Scotts.”

My brows knitted. “What do you mean?”

Julian offered no clarification. Instead, Marissa leaned in and explained in his stead.

“It means exactly what it sounds like. From now on, you’re free to date or marry whoever you want–no one will interfere. Likewise, our family will cut all ties with the Scotts.”

Listening to her, I sat frozen in my seat, dazed.

The Caldwell–Scott alliance… was broken?