Her Rebirth.

The day soon ended. Amelia didn’t have much to do as it was her first day. Most of her day just involved Lucas introducing her to other employees, though it was Lucas doing most of the talking rather than her. But overall, her day wasn’t too bad.

Amelia waved at Lucas and Damien before clocking out. And yes, once again, she was going to the café. She would borrow Haunting Adeline since she had already given Kai the other books before she went to work.

Besides, she couldn’t help but admit that it was nice having Kai’s presence around. She already considered him a friend, at least. And it was nice having a friend in this world where everyone seemed to despise her and lean towards her stepsister.

Amelia pushed open the café doors, entering inside, and she found her gaze searching for Kai. However, he seemed to be absent...

Instead, she saw a young woman standing behind the counter with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Good evening! What would you like to order?"

Amelia returned the smile politely. "Oh, I’m actually looking for Kai. Is he here today?"

At the mention of Kai’s name, the woman’s smile faltered slightly.

Is this one of Brother Kai’s stalkers?

Sensing the sudden change in expression, Amelia quickly added, "I just wanted to borrow the book he recommended to me yesterday."

The woman’s smile returned, this time brighter than before.

"Oh! He didn’t come to work today. But I can get the book for you! Which one was it?"

"Haunting Adeline."

"Ah, I see! Just a moment." She turned toward the shelves, leaving Amelia with a frown.

Kai didn’t come today?

That must mean he was working at the Blackwood subsidiary company instead.

Well, that was...

"Here you go," the woman’s voice interrupted her thoughts, placing the book on the counter. "I just need your name and ID."

Amelia nodded, handing them over.

It didn’t take long before she was out the door, book in hand.

It seemed like she would be going home alone today.

"Amelia, this is where you were! I was starting to think that you left Country A completely," Amelia heard a shrill voice.

She turned and saw Sera walking towards her, a frown on her face.

...

When had she begun to notice? At first, they were teeny details she could ignore. Then they increased into something she found herself frowning at. The way Lilac and Ash’s fingers would linger a little too long on each other’s bodies. The way Ash would speak to Lilac affectionately, more affectionately than he had ever spoken to her, with a soft voice and an infatuated gaze.

She also couldn’t help but notice that whenever a tear dropped from Lilac’s eyes, Ash would leave her to attend to Lilac. Wasn’t she the fiancée? Then why did it seem like they were the ones truly in love instead?

But she still sought to believe, sought to stand strong in the fact that Ash wouldn’t be cheating on her with Lilac, until that day, she decided to clarify everything with Lilac.

Besides, communication is the key thing in a relationship, right?

That’s what she thought.

It was another day at Lysander College. The hallways were buzzing and filled with life. Sera and Lilac walked together side by side. They had a one-hour break before another lecture, so they decided to go to the student lounge to meet their other friends.

Sera’s mind swirled with thoughts. She had wanted to speak to Lilac concerning her closeness with Ash. However, somehow, she found herself lacking the courage to do so. But she could no longer put it off.

"Lilac," she said, gathering the courage to speak.

"Hmm?" Lilac turned to her with an innocent smile.

"I want to talk to you about something important."

Lilac tilted her head. "What is it, Sera?"

Sera took a deep breath.

"I just... feel a little uncomfortable with how close you are to Ash." Her voice was careful, trying not to sound accusatory. "If possible, could you keep some distance from him?"

For a moment, Lilac didn’t react.

Then, she smiled softly.

"Of course, Sera. If that’s what you want, I will."

Sera’s face lit up, relief washing over her. She hadn’t expected Lilac to be so understanding. She had been scared that Lilac would get angry at her, but she didn’t. Amelia had been wrong about Lilac—

But then Lilac’s eyes became filled with tears threatening to fall, her lips trembling.

"I never knew you didn’t trust me, Sera."

Sera froze.

"Do you think... I’m like my mother?" Lilac whispered. "That I would steal your fiancé just because I’m an illegitimate child?"

Sera’s breath caught in her throat.

"No—I... That’s not what I meant—"

"What’s going on?"

A familiar voice interrupted them.

Both girls turned to see Ash approaching them with a confused expression.

Lilac quickly lowered her gaze, looking almost frightened.

"Brother Ash... we can’t be too close anymore," she murmured.

Ash frowned. "Why?"

Lilac didn’t answer.

Instead, she glanced at Sera, her eyes filled with fear.

Ash’s expression darkened.

His voice turned cold.

"Sera," he said sharply. "Are you bullying her?"

Sera’s eyes widened in shock.

"What? No! I wasn’t—"

"Then why is Lilac crying?"

Sera looked at Lilac, expecting her to speak up, to tell Ash the truth.

But Lilac simply kept her head down, her shoulders trembling.

Sera’s hands clenched.

"Ash," she said, forcing herself to stay calm. "Think about it. Why would I bully Lilac? We’re friends, aren’t we?"

Ash hesitated.

That was true.

But then—

"Then why does she look so scared of you?"

Sera felt like she had been slapped.

"I don’t know!" she snapped, her frustration rising. "All I asked was for her to keep her distance from you because you two have been too close lately!"

Ash’s eyes became filled with anger.

"So now you’re jealous?" His voice was filled with disgust. "I never knew you had such a black heart."

Sera flinched. "Black-hearted?!"

Lilac, still crying, touched Ash’s arm gently.

"Brother Ash, please don’t be mad," she sniffled. "I know Sera doesn’t mean it that way."

Then, she turned to Sera with sadness.

"Don’t worry, Sera," she whispered. "I’ll keep my distance from Brother Ash so I won’t come between you two."

Ash snapped.

"You’re not coming between us, Lilac!"

Sera let out a bitter laugh.

"Then tell me, Ash," she said coldly. "Who’s the fiancée here? Me or Lilac? Why do you seem to listen to her more than you listen to me?"

Ash glared at her. "You’re overthinking. You’re starting to sound like that rogue Amelia."

Sera froze.

What had she done wrong? All she had done was ask Lilac politely to keep her distance from Ash. Why did it then all seem like she had been bullying her?

... Was this what Amelia meant? Is this what she had been going through? All those times when it seemed like she was bullying Lilac, did she even do anything to her?

Sera looked around and saw the gloating gazes from onlookers. Everyone just seemed to take Lilac’s side.

Then... she snapped.

"Maybe I do have something in common with Amelia," she spat angrily.

"After all our fiancés were stolen by the same whore."

The moment the words left her lips, the air grew deathly silent.

Then—slap!

Sera’s head snapped to the side, her eyes widening in surprise. A stinging pain bloomed across her cheek.

Ash had slapped her.

He had slapped her because of Lilac.

Gasps filled the air.

Even Ash himself looked shocked at what he had just done.

Lilac quickly grabbed his hand. "Brother Ash, don’t!"

But it was too late.

Ash’s face instantly became filled with regret. "Sera, I..."

Without waiting for him to speak, Sera ran, tears pouring down her cheeks.

All around her, she could hear the onlookers’ gloating murmurs—

And not a single one of them took her side.

She was right... Amelia was right.