Her Rebirth.

"Yes, Mr. BlackBourne, I will talk to my son... I apologize once again."

Soon, the call ended, and Dan Blackwood dropped his phone, anger evident on his face.

That illegitimate son of his had always been quite an obedient child, and after being sent abroad, he had never caused any trouble. Even after returning, he had quietly left the family house, as expected of him. Dan had only gotten angry with this son of his after he got engaged to the Cosgrove girl. But knowing that the diamond mine still belonged to the Blackwood family, his anger had faded. So why was Kai causing trouble with the BlackBournes now?

Dan turned to his assistant.

"It seems I am going to visit this son of mine."

---

The sun had already begun to set as Amelia walked into the estate. Her mind was still preoccupied with her confrontation with Ray earlier. She felt lighter, as if she had finally spilled everything Amelia Cosgrove had been keeping in.

Amelia sighed, tucking a stray blonde hair behind her ear. Just then, her phone buzzed again.

She frowned. Another call?

She glanced at the screen.

Grandfather Cosgrove.

Amelia hesitated before answering.

"Grandfather," she greeted smoothly.

"Amelia," the old man’s deep voice came through the line. "Where are you? Mason told me you ran away."

Amelia exhaled softly, already guessing where this conversation was headed. "I didn’t run away. He drove me away and even ensured that I was unable to rent or lodge in a hotel anywhere in the city."

A pause.

"You should come home, Amelia," Grandfather Cosgrove said. "I will discipline your father to ensure he does no such thing again."

"But I don’t want to come back, Grandfather. I am happier like this," Amelia replied.

"You do not know what you are saying, child," he said sternly. "Within the Cosgrove family, you are protected. Outside..."

"Outside, I feel even safer." Amelia interrupted Grandfather Cosgrove, then added in a reassuring tone, "Grandfather, I just want to experience the world on my own terms. I am happier this way, and I hope you respect my wishes."

The line was silent for a moment before Grandfather Cosgrove sighed. "You’ve always been stubborn."

She smiled slightly. "I take after you."

He gave a low chuckle and added, "At least visit often. And call. I don’t want to hear about you from outsiders."

"I will," Amelia promised.

Another pause. Then, his voice softened. "Take care of yourself, child."

"You too, Grandfather."

The call ended, and Amelia tucked her phone away, exhaling slowly.

She had finally reached home.

She was a bit excited, thinking about dinner. Were they going out, or was Kai going to cook? Though she had only tasted Kai’s cooking once, she would rate that single dish a 10.

Amelia paused as her eyes immediately caught sight of a black Benz parked right in front of the house.

That was not a car she recognized.

Tensing slightly, she stepped quietly towards the door.

Did he have a visitor?

As soon as she entered, a loud, angry voice reached her ears.

"You ungrateful brat!"

Her eyes flickered toward the living room.

Dan Blackwood stood there, his face red with fury, while Kai sat on the couch, his expression impassive, as though he was not the one being hollered at.

Amelia’s brows arched slightly.

Dan Blackwood? Here?

The man who had always ignored Kai, who had never treated him as anything more than an inconvenient stain on the Blackwood name, now suddenly appeared here?

What was going on?

Kai’s voice was low. "I was performing my obligations towards my fiancée, the one placed upon me."

Dan scoffed. "And yet, you’re using such obligations to bring problems to the Blackwood family."

Kai didn’t flinch. His expression remained indifferent, but an irritated glint flashed in his eyes.

Dan continued, "I allowed this engagement because I thought you’d have the sense to be useful. But now, you’re making trouble with the BlackBournes? Do you want to drag my name through the mud?"

Kai’s lips parted slightly, but before he could respond—

"That’s no way to talk to my fiancé."

The room fell silent.

Dan Blackwood stiffened, his head snapping toward the entrance where Amelia stood.

Kai turned as well, his cold eyes meeting hers, flickering with something unreadable.

Amelia stepped forward coldly.

She met Dan’s glare with a frown.

"You barged into my home," she continued smoothly, "to reprimand my fiancé. That’s quite bold of you, Mr. Blackwood."

Dan’s face darkened. "Amelia, this is a family matter—"

She smiled, though there was no warmth in it.

"And Kai is my fiancé."

Dan’s expression twisted, but he did not respond. He did not wish to engage in childish banter with her. Instead, he turned back to Kai.

"You have to accompany me to apologize to Caleb."

Kai sneered. "To apologize for protecting my fiancée from being harassed by him?"

So it was because of that drunk man.

Amelia’s brows furrowed. Kai’s father was forcing him to apologize to that man? But Kai had acted only to protect her, it was only right that she took responsibility.

Amelia took another step forward, her voice turning colder.

"Mr. Blackwood, I never knew the Blackwood family had fallen so low that they allow the son of another household to harass their son’s fiancée, and then expect an apology as a reward."

Dan pressed his lips into a thin line. "I understand, but he went too far."

"Too far? Very well. If the Blackwood family cannot protect me, the Cosgrove family surely will." She tilted her chin slightly.

"Though I may be unwanted by my father, I know for sure that my grandfather cherishes me. And he would never ask me to bow my head to someone who harassed me. Because the Cosgroves are not to be bullied."

The tension in the room thickened.

Kai, who had remained silent, finally let out a low chuckle as he leaned back against the couch.

Dan Blackwood looked like he had swallowed something bitter.

"...I understand, Miss Cosgrove. The Blackwood family will surely protect those under them."

He exhaled sharply and turned on his heel.

Kai sneered as he watched his father leave.

Look at him.

So quick to change sides and flee like a rat when the strength of the Blackwood name is questioned.

The door slammed shut behind Dan, leaving the house in silence.

Amelia turned to him, worry in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

Kai looked at Amelia, who had stood before him in a protective stance, defending him despite owing him no obligation.

No one had ever done this for him. No one had ever protected him, no one defended him when he was berated , no one had ever stood for him when he was beaten to the curb, rather what he had often received were gloating gazes.

Only she...

Towards this fiancée of his...

Kai clenched his chest.

Thump.

Thump.

He may have fallen in love.