Rebirth Snatching Back My Stolen Luck novel Chapter 113

Chapter 113

DEAN

When the one-year agreement I made with Lilith began to draw near, I thought I’d be calm and prepared.

After all, our relationship had grown strong and stable-no different from a married couple. It felt so natural that I’d almost forgotten it had an expiration date.

Yet the closer the deadline approached, the more restless I became. I found myself watching Lilith closely, trying to read what she was thinking.

Was she content with how things were? Or was she already preparing to let go?

On ordinary days, I could read her easily. But concerning this matter, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see through her.

And that uncertainty gnawed at me.

It scared me—this thought that no matter how close we’d grown, she might still see us as something temporary. That perhaps, she was still holding a part of herself back from me.

Those thoughts led to sleepless nights, and eventually, I decided to take a gamble.

If I won, I’d be the happiest man alive.

And if I lost… I’d simply try again and again, until she either accepted me completely-or finally rejected me once and for all.

At least then, I’d be able to walk away knowing I’d tried my best.

That’s why, for the past week, I’d been sneaking around-renovating and decorating the villa while dodging her questions whenever she grew suspicious.

Tonight, everything was finally ready.

Standing before the mirror in my room, I adjusted my collar and tie, exhaled slowly, then headed

downstairs.

In the living room, my small group of co-conspirators were finalizing the setup-the most important people in Lilith’s and my inner circle.

Callum handled the cues and lighting.

Freya managed the video and music.

Logan sat lazily on the sofa, tasked with opening the door when Lilith arrived.

And Julian… had no defined role-just a silent observer.

Of course, Marissa couldn’t be left out. She had the most crucial task of all: keeping Lilith occupied, so she wouldn’t come back early and ruin the surprise.

“Marissa says they’re already at the gate,” Julian’s cool voice broke the silence as he looked up from his phone.

My heart lurched, but I forced myself to stay composed.

“Everyone ready? Remember, no mistakes. It has to go exactly as we practiced.”

Callum gave the light switch one last check, flicking the flameless candles and fairy lights on and off.

Freya nodded from behind her camera. Logan moved into position by the door.

One by one, they flashed an okay sign.

Julian, who had stationed himself near the window as lookout, glanced back. “A car’s approaching.”

I swallowed hard, tightened my grip on the bouquet I’d arranged myself, and turned to face the door.

Then, with a flick from Callum, the room went dark.

Outside, the faint glow of headlights cut through the night, growing brighter as the car neared the villa-then vanished again, swallowed by the dark.

Moments later, the front gate creaked open, followed by the soft, measured rhythm of footsteps- hers.

Each one landed squarely on my chest, my heart thudding in response.

Through the window, I caught the faint shimmer of the motion-sensor LEDs I’d installed on the marble steps for today.

I could almost see it-the way each light bloomed to life beneath her feet, one after another,

guiding her toward the door.

Toward me.

My grip tightened around the bouquet.

Then Logan flashed a cue to Callum.

Next, the lights came on the same instant the door opened-

-and there she was.

My heartbeat roared in my ears, thunderous and unrelenting.

She was all I could see.

As she walked toward me, the rest of the world faded away, and for one fleeting moment, it felt like we were standing in a wedding hall.

I knew I must’ve looked foolish, grinning as widely as I was-but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

In this moment, I didn’t want to contain my joy.

When she stopped a step away, I finally managed to hand her the flowers and say the words I’d been rehearsing endlessly in my head.

As I spoke, I watched her expression carefully. When I saw no trace of rejection-only quiet surprise and warmth-something in me loosened.

Then, gathering every last bit of courage, I reached into my inner pocket and brought out-

Two velvet ring boxes.

One black. One red.

LILITH

I blinked, momentarily confused.

“Two?”

Dean’s lips curved in a soft smile.

“Yes, two. Because I’m leaving the choice to you, Elise.”

My breath hitched as I listened to him continue.

“The first,” he said, opening the red box to reveal a simple silver band with a tiny lily engraved along the side, “is a promise ring. It means we continue as we are just ordinary boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Then he lifted the black box. Inside, a lily-cut diamond ring shimmered softly under the lights.

“And this one,” he continued, his voice gentle but tinged with nervousness, “is an engagement ring. It means you’re ready to let me walk beside you for the rest of our lives-not because you owe me anything, but because you want to.”

He met my gaze, sincerity shining through his eyes.

“But no matter what you choose-whatever feels right to you-I’ll still be here.”

For a moment, I forgot to breathe.

This man-who’d stood by me quietly, never demanding, never pushing-was doing the same even with his proposal.

How could anyone look at him and not feel moved?

To turn away from a man like this would be the height of foolishness.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I reached for the red box and slipped the promise ring onto my left ring finger.

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