Rebirth: Love me Again - Chapter 300

Chapter 300: Unwelcome Intrusion
 

[ESTELLE]

I clenched my fists as a wave of jealousy surged through me. I had been in Damien’s office all day, and not once had he looked at me with the same soft, focused gaze he was giving Kelsey now.

I got it—he liked her. She liked him.

But the woman didn’t want Damien, not until she achieved her dream of becoming an internationally renowned model. Kelsey was all about ambition, about success.

And yet, here she was. Sitting across from Damien, inserting herself into his world whenever she pleased.

I rolled my eyes. If you truly loved someone, wouldn’t you do anything for them? Wouldn’t love be a driving force, not a roadblock?

But maybe that was just me.

In fact, I should be grateful that she kept rejecting him. The longer she hesitated, the bigger my window of opportunity.

“You know how she is,” Damien sighed.

“If you don’t like her, then you should be firm about pushing her away.”

I had to physically restrain myself from scoffing. Oh, honey, that was never going to happen.

“You know she’s a Fay and a Johnson, right?” Damien replied. “I can’t just be harsh to her. I need her to expand our company worldwide.”

I smirked.

At least Damien needed me.

And you, dear Kelsey? Damien didn’t need you at all. Bleh.

Kelsey let out a soft sigh. “Your empire is already international. What ‘worldwide’ are you even talking about?”

“You know how it is. We expand new business and opportunities every year. It’s a never-ending process.”

Kelsey sighed again, but this time, Damien reached across the desk and grabbed her hand.

I stiffened.

“Just take my hand and marry me, Kelsey,” Damien said, his voice deep. “So you don’t have to be jealous anymore.” He smirked.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “Stop this nonsense, Damien. You know I can’t. Not yet, at least. I still have too many things I want to accomplish. Marriage, relationships . . . they’re just not my priority right now.”

I nearly choked on my own air.

Not ready? Not a priority?

Then why were you here? Why did you keep showing up just to make sure Damien’s attention never strayed too far from you?

I knew her type. The moment Damien thought of moving on, she’d magically appear, ensuring he stayed locked in her orbit.

Before I came into the picture, she barely acknowledged his existence unless there was an event or a reason to remind him she was still around. But now? Now that I was a real threat, persistent and unshakable?

She was worried.

And I loved it.

Grinning, I stepped out of my hiding spot. “Awww, how romantic.”

Both heads snapped toward me. Kelsey quickly pulled her hand from Damien’s grip, her usual cool expression barely faltering. “Estelle. You’re here?”

I beamed at her, my tone sickly sweet. “I’m always here. Unlike a certain someone who just pops in whenever she feels like reminding my husband of her existence.”

Kelsey’s brows furrowed. “Husband?”

“Don’t mind her,” Damien muttered, sighing as he shook his head.

But I wasn’t about to let this go. I crossed my arms, tilting my chin up. “Unlike you, I’m ready to be Damien’s wife. Anytime, anywhere.”

Kelsey didn’t flinch. She just smiled at me, that same condescending, mildly amused expression one might give a child throwing a tantrum.

“I see that you have a guest, Damien,” she said smoothly, standing up and adjusting her scarf. “I’ll return tomorrow. Maybe we could have lunch or dinner together?”

“Sure.”

I felt my eye twitch.

Kelsey turned toward me, her voice lowering just enough for only me to hear. “Try all you want, but Damien will never look at you the way he looks at me. He will always be mine.”

Oh, sweetheart. You just made my day.

I smiled. A real mocking smile.

For the first time, her calm, collected façade was cracking. She knew I was a serious threat. She knew Damien needed me. And that scared her.

I leaned in, lowering my voice to match hers. “Give all the threats you want, but we both know the truth. Damien needs me more than he needs you. You know it. And he knows it. That’s why you’re here, so threatened, so desperate to keep me out of his heart.”

Kelsey’s face contorted ever so slightly before she coughed, regaining her composure. “You’ll never be a threat. Not now. Not ever.”

She turned sharply on her heel and walked out.

I watched her go, the victory settling warmly in my chest.

Not a threat?

Darling, you just proved I am.

=== 🤍 ===

[VICTOR]

Victor leaned casually against Sinclair’s desk, arms crossed. “I checked everything. Birth records, legal documents, even some old family photos. Everything lines up. They’re her real family.”

Sinclair didn’t respond immediately. He sat back in his chair, fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood of his desk. His gaze remained distant, as if turning the information over in his mind.

Victor raised a brow. “You don’t believe it?”

Sinclair exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable. “I didn’t say that.”

“But you’re thinking it.” Victor’s grin widened as he studied the old man. “Or maybe you’re just sulking because Eve won’t be hanging around as much now that her family’s here?”

Sinclair shot him a flat look, unimpressed. “You’re reaching.”

“Am I?” Victor pushed off the desk, circling the chair. “Come on, Sinclair. You’re not exactly known for taking a deep interest in people’s personal affairs. Yet here you are, suspicious over something completely normal—something good, even.” He paused for effect. “Unless, of course, it bothers you for other reasons?”

Sinclair let out a short scoff, shaking his head. “You’re an idiot.”

Victor chuckled. “Still not denying it, though.”

Sinclair leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk. “It’s not about that,” he said, his voice steady. “I am glad for her. She’s been alone for a long time. If they really are her family, then she deserves this.”

Victor watched him closely, the teasing edge fading slightly. “But?”

Sinclair’s jaw tensed. “But things don’t just happen like this. Not in our world. People don’t conveniently appear after years of silence with perfect paperwork and perfect timing.” His gaze sharpened. “So, just in case, have someone run another check on them. Quietly.”

Victor’s smirk disappeared entirely. “Already on it.” His tone was calm, but there was a distinct shift in his demeanor—lighter conversations aside, he had been thinking the same thing.

Sinclair gave a slow nod, as if that was the answer he had expected. Neither of them said it outright, but the air in the room was heavy with unspoken understanding.

Something wasn’t right.