Rebirth: Love me Again - Chapter 321

Chapter 321: A Love Story With One Willing Participant
[IRAYA]

The moment I stood, my legs wobbled like a newborn deer, and before I could steady myself, the world tilted.

Shit—I was falling.

But instead of hitting the ground, strong arms caught me, pulling me against a firm chest.

Lyander’s chest.

I froze.

His grip was steady, warm—his scent a mix of cigarette smoke and something deeper, darker. His face was close, too close, and the damned smirk on his lips sent every single nerve in my body into a riot.

“Be careful now,” he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. “That’s already the second time you’ve fallen for me.”

My brain short-circuited.

And before I could stop myself—before I could even think—my fist shot up, and I punched him square in the face.

There was a brief pause.

Then Lyander chuckled, rubbing his jaw.

“Damn,” he muttered, grinning at me like I hadn’t just tried to knock his teeth out. “If you wanted to touch me that badly, sweetheart, you could’ve just asked.”

My eye twitched.

I was definitely going to kill him.

Maybe not now. Maybe not even soon.

But someday.

=== 🤍 ===

[ESTELLE]

I had lost track of how many months I’d spent in Frizkiel, enduring its biting cold and gray skies. At first, I thought I’d freeze to death, but somehow, I had grown accustomed to it.

Maybe I had finally turned into one of those people who found beauty in the icy winds that sliced through your skin like tiny daggers. Or maybe I was just too stubborn to leave.

Tonight was another one of those extravagant events that Frizkiel was famous for—a grand fashion gala held in the opulent Frizkiel Grand Event Hall.

And who was this lavish affair dedicated to?

Kelsey.

Of course.

Frizkiel had personally organized this spectacle for her, and Damien was her ever-dedicated shadow, standing by her side like a silent guardian.

And me?

Well, I had absolutely no choice but to attend. Obviously.

Someone had to remind Damien that I still existed, and if that meant squeezing myself right between them like an uninvited third wheel, then so be it.

It wasn’t as if I had been subtle about my feelings. I had done everything short of skywriting I love you, Damien across the Frizkiel skyline. But his unwavering devotion to Kelsey was starting to wear me down. It stung more than I liked to admit.

Still, my love for him was stronger than my pride.

So, I persisted.

Dressed in a designer gown that hugged me in all the right places, I made my way to the event. If I was going to crash this party, I might as well look like I belonged.

When I arrived, the sheer beauty of the venue nearly stole my breath.

The hall was nothing short of a frozen wonderland—glimmering like an ice palace under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. White roses and delicate frost-kissed lilies adorned the tables, while shimmering glass sculptures reflected the soft blues and silvers of the decor.

It was beautiful. Enchanting.

And absolutely infuriating.

Because right there, in the middle of it all, standing under a canopy of twinkling lights, was Damien.

And Kelsey.

Laughing. Talking. Being them.

I clenched my jaw, squared my shoulders, and stepped forward.

If Damien thought he could ignore me tonight, he had another thing coming.

They looked good together. Too good.

It was no wonder the whispers had already started—soft murmurs floating through the grand hall like a persistent melody.

“When are they getting engaged?”

“They’re such a perfect match.”

“It’s only a matter of time before Damien proposes.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. The two of them, as usual, denied everything. Just friends, they said. Nothing more.

And I was determined to make sure it stayed that way.

Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders, lifted my chin, and strode toward them with all the confidence of a woman on a mission.

This night was my night.

“Hello there, Damien.” I flashed my sweetest, most dazzling smile before turning to Kelsey with a polite afterthought of a glance. “And Kelsey.”

Damien inhaled deeply—his telltale sign of bracing himself for whatever trouble he assumed I’d bring.

Meanwhile, Kelsey plastered on the fakest, tightest-lipped smile I had ever seen from her. Impressive, really. It was like watching a mannequin attempt human emotion.

“Estelle,” she said with syrupy politeness. “I’m glad you could join us tonight.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I replied, voice smooth as silk. “This is my future mother-in-law’s fashion event, after all. It’s just such a shame I’m not in it.”

Kelsey’s eyes gleamed, the kind of look that said she was about to get delightfully condescending.

“Well,” she said, looking me up and down with a barely concealed smirk, “Miss Evangeline Hart has very high requirements for her models.”

Ah. There it was. The backhanded insult, delicately wrapped in faux innocence.

I chuckled, tilting my head ever so slightly. “Oh, please, Kelsey. It’s the twenty-first century. Models should come in all sizes so that the audience can see how the designs would look on real people. Right, Damien?”

Damien sighed, already exhausted by the conversation. “Enjoy the show, Estelle.”

And with that, he walked off, no doubt seeking refuge among the other guests, leaving Kelsey and me alone in the icy glow of the chandeliers.

I turned back to her, a victorious smirk tugging at my lips.

“Well, that sounded like a yes to me.”

Kelsey exhaled sharply, then crossed her arms. “Estelle, you really should give up.”

She said it so flatly, like it was just common sense, as if I were some lovesick fool clinging to a hopeless dream.

“It’s honestly pitiful watching you chase after Damien like this,” she added, voice laced with faux sympathy. “He will never like you. As a fellow woman, I advise you to stop embarrassing yourself.”

I should have been hurt. Maybe even humiliated.

But instead, I laughed.

Not the hollow, awkward kind of laugh. No, this was real amusement.