Rebirth Snatching Back My Stolen Luck novel Chapter 73

I paused, my voice growing colder.

“But you both said no. You claimed I was too young, that you were worried I’d be led astray.

“Well, I’m twenty–two now, and thanks to you, my life experience and social life is practically nonexistent. I know nothing beyond the tiny world you allowed me to see.

“But I guess that’s exactly what you wanted, isn’t it? For me to be an obedient pawn, never escaping from your grasp.”

“Lilith!” he snapped. “How can you think of us that way? I wonder who’s been filling your head with these lies?”

“Is it Dean? Ever since you met him you’ve been acting like this.

I shot Dean a sidelong glance. He gave no sign of reacting, his eyes fixated on the road ahead.

But I knew he’d heard every word.

In the small confines of the car, coupled with evening quietness, my dad’s voice was impossible to miss.

Looking away, my tone turned icier.

“No one is feeding me anything. No one has to. Because contrary to what you think, I’m capable of knowing right from wrong–and what’s best for me.

“From now on, I’ll live my life my way. I don’t need your permission–just like you never needed mine when making decisions that affected me.

There was a pause, then Dad spoke again, his voice filled understanding, as if he’d finally uncovered the truth.

“So this is about Claire, isn’t it? Are you sulking because your mom brought her home without telling you?”

The confidence in his tone was infuriating.

Chapter 73

Yes, Claire had pushed me to leave sooner than I’d planned. But the choice to leave was

mine.

It always had been.

Why make something so simple sound so complicated?

Just then, Mom’s voice cut in again, rising with righteous outrage. “How could you be so selfish, Lilith? Claire explained everything to you, and even agreed to your ridiculous condition just to earn your forgiveness.”

“And still, you won’t let her be? I’m all she has. Do you want me to abandon her? Have you no heart?”

LILITH

My hand tightened around the phone, my heart trembling with suppressed emotion.

Through the haze of anger, a steady warmth radiated from where Dean held my hand, melting my freezing heart and limbs.

I turned to him and only then noticed, through the window, that we’d already driven past the community gates. Soon, we’d be at the villa.

Dean’s gaze was steady, his brow creased in silent question: Are you okay?

I managed a small, reassuring smile: Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ve been used to this for a long time.

Of course, that was a lie.

No matter how often I told myself to harden my heart against her absurd bias, I hadn’t managed it yet. Maybe no child could ever get used to their own mother’s complete disregard for them and their feelings.

But hopefully, one day, I’d get there–able to stand in front of her and listen to her harsh words without feeling a single thing.

I exhaled softly. “If that’s your opinion of me…” My voice was calm. “Then it can’t be helped.”

I intended to hang up after that, but she seemed to sense it and screeched, “Don’t you hang up on me, Lilith!

dare

09:35

Chapter 73

“You think you’re so impressive now. daring to go against our wishes? Then let’s see how fearless you’ll be after 1 freeze all your cards!”

I paused, then let out a cold laugh. I should have expected this–that she’d resort to financial threats once she realized she couldn’t control me anymore.

Fortunately, I had my comic income now, and more importantly, I hadn’t tied it to any of those cards yet.

If I had, it would’ve been a disaster.

Another task for my to–do list: apply for a personal account–one opened solely by me, with no connection to them.

Let’s see if she can freeze that, I thought.

My musings were brief. Back to the call, I said calmly, “Do your worst.”

Then I hung up, her furious screams cutting off mid–yell.

For a while, I sat frozen, my phone still in hand.

Beside me, Dean said nothing, simply squeezing my hand tighter and letting his warmth and quiet strength seep into me.

By the time I snapped out of it, we were already inside the villa grounds.

“That was fast,” I murmured with a faint smile. “What are we waiting for? Let’s get our spoils inside.”

With that, I slipped my hand from his, opened the door, and stepped out.

By the time we lugged everything inside, the sky had darkened further.

I collapsed onto the sofa, exhausted but satisfied as I surveyed the messy living room.

Dean dropped onto the seat beside me and offered to help organize, but I shook my head. “I want to do it myself.”