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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