Rebirth Snatching Back My Stolen Luck novel Chapter 29

Callum was right.

I did feel something for Lilith.

I confirmed it the moment I saw her again yesterday.

But this feeling…

It wasn’t just attraction–or even love.

It was something stronger, more binding, and far deeper than anything I’d ever known.

Like how her figure popped into my head the instant Callum asked if I was attending the banquet. Or how I couldn’t look away from her the second she stepped into the ballroom.

Or how my chest physically ached when I saw her being isolated and about to be dragged away.

For reasons I couldn’t explain, I found myself wanting to protect her. Tease her. Make her smile. Wash away the dark haze in her eyes.

But this didn’t feel entirely like me.

Or at least, not the version of me I’d known for the past twenty–seven years.

It was more like… there were two people inside me–one just now getting to know Lilith, and the other… already far too familiar with her.

It sounds crazy, I know. But that’s the only way I can describe it.

And since I couldn’t make sense of it, I decided to keep her close.

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If she stayed near, maybe I’d soon figure out what this connection between us really was. In contrast to the single–story villa I had just been shown, Dean’s place was a two–story modern courtyard villa with sleek lines and a dark stone exterior. It radiated sophistication and understated grandeur.

Honestly, I’d imagined him living in a penthouse. That felt more like his style.

But unexpectedly, he fit in perfectly here.

I guess I’d been too narrow–minded and quick to judge.

As we stepped inside, Dean opened the shoe cabinet, took out a pair of gray house slippers, and placed them in front of me.

“I don’t have women’s slippers, so you’ll have to make do with mine,” he said, then added with a teasing smile, “Don‘ t worry, picky princess–they’re brand new.”

I pretended not to hear that as I slipped off my sneakers and into the slippers.

He also took out a black pair and slipped them on himself.

As we walked further inside, the scent hit me first–butter, toast, eggs, and coffee.

Seems like he really did prepare breakfast, I thought.

“You can place your bag on the sofa,” he said, already heading toward the open kitchen ahead. “Food doesn’t taste as good cold. Hurry up.”

“Got it,” I replied, setting my bag on the sofa before walking over.

“Sit,” he said, gesturing toward one of the high stools at the kitchen counter.

I did, watching as he busied himself plating the food and arranging everything in front of me.

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Lightly toasted croissants with a buttery sheen. Scrambled eggs with cheese. Chicken sausages. A slice of avocado dressed with lemon and sea salt.

He clearly wasn’t a novice in the kitchen.

After setting the last plate down, he looked up. “Orange juice or coffee?”

“Orange juice,” I answered after a beat.

As a result, he smiled, then walked over to the fridge, and took out a bottle.

As he poured it into a glass cup, I found myself asking, “Why are you smiling?”

The corners of his lips lifted more. “Nothing. Just confirming something.”

“What?”

“That you’ve got a sweet tooth.”

“So?” My voice came out more defensive than I meant. “You think having a sweet tooth is unbecoming for an adult?”

His smile didn’t fade. If anything, it deepened, making me feel like a sulking child and he, the tolerant adult.

A moment later, he placed the glass of juice in front of me and-

Used the back of his index finger to gently brush my nose. “You think too much for your own good, princess.”

“Everyone’s palate and preferences are different. No one has the right to criticize that.”

His voice turned softer and more indulgent: “And I think you’re quite cute like this.”

With immediate effect, it was like someone had smoothed down a bristling cat. I calmed down instantly, though I wasn’t sure if being called ‘cute‘ was meant as a compliment.

However-

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Chapter 28

I narrowed my eyes. “Aren’t you being a little touchy?”

Before I could react, he leaned forward suddenly, closing the distance between us.

“So…” his warm breath brushed against my skin, “do you dislike it?”

My brain immediately stalled at his proximity, with half of my thoughts going fuzzy.

“What?” I asked dumbly, my hand gripping my trousers tightly.

“I said…” He leaned even closer, until our noses nearly touched. “Do you dislike my touch?”

Truthfully, I didn’t register his words as my focus was elsewhere.

Our lips.

At this distance…

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My throat ran dry.

Not touching felt more dangerous than actual contact.

For a long moment, neither of us spoke. We just stared at each other while maintaining that position.

Somehow, I managed to recover a shred of rationality and broke off eye contact with him.

Then, I lowered my head, and stared intently at the food like it was an rare artifact.

“It’s getting cold,” I mumbled, grabbing a croissant and stuffing it into my mouth.

Hm. It was unexpectedly delicious.

Okay, no doubt about it–he could cook.

A second later, his low chuckle sounded near my ears, and I nearly choked.

Thankfully, he straightened up right after and stepped back.

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“No need to rush. Eat slowly and don’t choke,” he said, amusement and a hint of fondness dancing in his eyes.

I hummed quietly in response, still staring down.

Only after a long silence and the air felt normal again did I sneak a glance at him.

He stood in front of the coffee machine with his back to me.

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I found myself staring in a daze as my thoughts wandered.

In just two days, my relationship with Dean had… shifted. Becoming more and more complicated.

The first time we met, we were familiar strangers. Yet, he stepped forward and offered to help.

The second time, I voiced my doubts and reservations about him. He reassured me, took me shopping, offered a solu- tion to my house–hunting problem, and teased me like an old friend.

And today, the third time… he flirted with me boldly.

It was getting harder to understand what was happening between us. And that sense of losing control–it scared me.

It made me uneasy.

But what could I do?

Ask him: why are you flirting with me?

That would be ridiculous.

Forget it.

I’ll just ask about something else.

Maybe what my dad and Mr. Scott discussed yesterday.

But not now…

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Maybe after we’re done eating.

That thought made me pause.

I looked down at the breakfast in front of me.

One serving.

Enough for just one person.

“Aren’t you eating?” I asked just as he turned around with his coffee mug.

He leaned back against the counter. “I’m not really a fan of breakfast.”

Then he raised his mug in a casual toast. “This is enough for me.”

So he had lied when he said he cooked for two.

He made everything for me.

But hadn’t he thought–what if I’d already eaten?

Would all this have gone to waste?

I asked him.

He smiled. “I figured you probably didn’t. You skipped breakfast yesterday too.”

Then he added, “Don’t worry though, I’m frugal by nature. So even if you had, nothing would’ve gone to waste.”

I quickly looked down, afraid he might see too much in my expression.

Maybe I was too easily moved by small things, but…

In both my lives, he was the only person who’d ever made this kind of effort.

The first person ever.

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Chapter 29

DEAN

That’s why I suggested she rent the villa next door.

Honestly, I was nervous she wouldn’t go through with it, after all, she didn’t hide the fact that she was still suspicious of me.

But I won.

She came.

And from the way her eyes lit up while exploring the space, I could tell she loved it.

That alone made the sleepless night and the ridiculously high price I paid the overseas owner worth it.

Yes, I lied when I said the villa was mine.

But since I bought it before morning, I suppose it’s not exactly a lie anymore.

M

As I sipped the last drop of coffee from my mug, Lilith also finished the final bite of her food.

Of course, I’d intentionally matched her eating pace.

When she lifted her orange juice for the last sip, I walked over and casually reached for the plates in front of her.

“I’ll wash them,” she said, pausing mid–sip and standing to stop me.

“As the host, how can I let my guest wash the dishes on her first visit?” I held her hand down gently, flashing a casual smile. “If my mom ever the end of it.”

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I added with mock pleading, “For the sake of my mental health, just let me do it this once, okay?”

Seeing that she still looked unsure, I continued.

“How about this? The next time you visit, I’ll let you do the dishes. Since by then, you won’t be a guest anymore.”

She didn’t catch the trap in my words. Her fingers slowly let go of the plates, and she gave a soft, reluctant thank you.

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I had to fight back the grin tugging at my lips.

How adorable.

And surprisingly easy to fool.

Still, she was nervous from my earlier flirting, so I didn’t want to do anything to scare her off.

But when I turned and caught her watching me with those wide, round eyes, I couldn’t resist.

I leaned down and gently tapped her nose. Then, almost involuntarily, my gaze shifted to her ear.

Earlier, when I’d leaned in close to tease her, I’d discovered something unexpected.

That delicate ear of hers turned the faintest shade of pink whenever she got flustered.

Just like now.