Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

Dexter and the doctor came out together. The doctor was saying a few things to him, and Dexter looked pretty happy. He came over to me and held my hand. "

His fingers were a little cool. His grip made my heart settle in my chest. "Is there something bothering you?"

He could always see through me. I shook my head. "No, I’m fine. Let’s go home."

I was distracted the whole way home. Peter said that he used to be my doctor, and Ewan said that Peter had claimed that Dexter was perfectly fine while I was the one with the problem. What did these things mean?

"Mr. and Mrs. Black, Mr. Martin has organized a family gathering, saying that it’s an annual affair for the Black family. You two have to attend," Ewan said.

Dexter looked impatient. "What a nuisance."

It had occurred to me that Martin would find an opportunity to aggravate Dexter.

After all, Dexter had foiled Martin’s plans too many times, so Martin was probably already suspicious of Dexter.

He suspected that Dexter was only acting like a psycho, so this was the perfect opportunity to test his suspicions out.

"Dexter, when we get home, I don’t want you to go anywhere. Stay with me. You have to call me even if you’re going to the restroom." I held Dexter’s hand, feeling a little worried.

Ewan pulled up at the entrance of the Black family’s residence. As soon as I got out of the car with Dexter’s hand in mine, I saw Juliet, who was standing a distance away.

It came as a surprise to me that she could still run around like this when she was supposed to be under the police’s close supervision. I glanced at her and sneered. She looked haggard now, perhaps because she was constantly living in fear.

She had prominent dark eyebags; it looked like she hadn’t slept well in a long time.

She approached me.

I ignored her, wanting to head into the house with Dexter.

Juliet said, "Sofia."

I glanced at her. "What?"

She seemed to be taking a different approach today. "I came to... apologize to you, Sofia. I’m sorry for misunderstanding you and telling the police that you were linked to a murderer."

I was surprised. What had gotten into Damien and Juliet today?

"The police told me that there’s no doubt over the crimes Simmie’s committed, but they’re still trying to track down his accomplices. But the fact that no one else has died after Simmie’s death most likely points to him being the mastermind behind

everything."

"I can’t remain under the police’s protection forever, which means that I need to go back to a normal life and job as soon as possible," she said. She looked like she was ready to turn over a new leaf.

I appraised her. "You’ve gotten off scot–free for killing Sophia Milford, I see.

You’ve got a few tricks up your sleeve, don’t you?"

I was obviously testing her patience. After a pause, she said gently, "Sofia, that wasn’t what I meant to do. I didn’t want to kill her; I just..."

Seeing that I wasn’t interested in what she had to say, she switched tactics. "I’ll admit that I’m at fault here. Because of that, I’ll do my best to make it up to her. Since she’d loved Damien so deeply, I’ll spend the rest of my life by his side. I’ll love and

care for him on her behalf."

I was speechless. How shameless could she be? But, I guess I knew what she was doing here now–she wanted to mark her territory. Was she warning me not to get close to Damien by pretending to be Sophia?

"Mrs. Coleman has also accepted me now, and I’ve already moved into the Coleman family’s residence. I’m staying in Sophia’s room, and it’s given me such a profound understanding of her love for Damien. I’ll make sure to keep her love for him going. Juliet wiped her tears. "I’ll take care of Mrs. Coleman too."

I stood there and watched her performance. In the past, I would’ve been devastated.

Now, however, it was as if I was an outsider to the situation. I was nothing but a spectator.

I was even starting to think of Sophia as someone who had nothing to do with me. I could sense my dislike for myself...

I couldn’t believe that I was filled with scorn and contempt for the person I’d been back then. I could even feel some of my memories returning. Something... was awakening within me.

"Has she lost her marbles?" I asked Dexter softly.

He seemed to be enjoying the show too. He looked at me and nodded seriously. "She does seem a little off her rocker."

Juliet gnashed her teeth, then continued, "I’m sorry to have caused you guys so

much trouble. We used to be classmates, Dexter. You should know that I’d never

done anything to bully you or Simmie and that I haven’t done anything bad." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"If you’re the one behind Simmie, please stop. Don’t go any further down this path."

"Go get yourself checked if you’ve lost your mind," Dexter said. He pulled me away from her, looking contemptuous. "Don’t let her infect you with her poison."

Juliet sneered and gave me a meaningful look. "Congratulations on finding such a

great husband, Sofia..."

She was obviously insinuating something by emphasizing the words "great husband ". She looked like a spectator who was waiting to watch my act. "I hope you and Dexter stay together forever–you two are a perfect match. I hope you’ll have a happy

life and family together..."

Her words were supposed to be good wishes, but she’d somehow turned them into evil curses. She was just waiting for me to make a fool of myself; she wanted to see how I would meet my end.

Juliet was making fun of me for siding with the devil and taking a nosedive into hell.

"I should wish you the same. I hope you and Damien stay together forever. Don’t let him ever get away–we wouldn’t want him to go and ruin someone else’s life, right?" I turned away with Dexter’s hand in mine.

I could feel Juliet’s gaze turning evil as she stared at me. She only left after Dexter

and I entered the living room.

"Don’t listen to her. I’ll treat you really well," Dexter said. He was afraid that Juliet’s

words would get to me.

"I trust you." I smiled at him.

He was pleased to hear that. He wrapped his arms around me and refused to let go."

I want to head home early, honey."

"What did the doctor say to you just now?" I asked curiously,

"He said that it’s beneficial for the expecting mother to have sex during pregnancy- it’ll help keep her hormones steady so that she remains in a good mood."

I almost bit my tongue. I should’ve known better.

Just then, Martin, who was seated at the head of the table, said, "I’m surprised you knew to return for today’s gathering."

That seat was usually reserved for Ignatius. But now that he was bedridden after suffering from a stroke, Martin had taken it upon himself to take the reins.

The members of the Black family were all in attendance, even the family members

who had gotten their wits scared out of them by Dexter. However, they looked ashen as they cowered by Martin’s side. Dexter had obviously gotten them good.

Dexter swept a gaze over everyone without saying a word.

"We’re all family here. Come and have a seat." Martin was acting like he was the head of the family. He was trying to show me and Dexter up.

There weren’t any empty seats at the table. Where did he expect us to sit? In the

corner? Or did he want us to remain standing?

I glanced at Ewan and asked innocently, "Whose family gathering is this?"

Ewan said politely, "The Black family."

"Who’s the head of the family? Is it Mr. Martin? When did that happen? Grandpa’s still alive, isn’t he? Why is he in Grandpa’s seat?

"It’s not a good sign, you know. He might get a stroke tomorrow, for all we know."

Dexter said seriously, "Yeah, it’s a bad sign. Anyone in that seat’s going to get a

stroke."

Martin’s expression darkened. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up." Where are your manners? Is that the proper way to speak to your elders?"

Did he think he could scare me by being loud? I said, "Dexter and I aren’t feeling well, Mr. Bart, so we won’t eat at home. We’ll be going now."

"Stop right there!" Martin barked. The bodyguards at the door stood in my and

Dexter’s way.

Dexter’s gaze immediately darkened as he pulled me behind him protectively. I knew

he was mad.

Martin had come prepared. He had several men with him; he’d even had the door

locked. Was he going to illegally imprison us?

"You’re mentally disabled, Dexter, so you’re unable to make decisions independently. It’s for the Black family’s sake that I’m taking over the company." Martin thought he had no chance of losing.

He continued, "I’ve already spoken to the people at the best asylum in Huma. They’ll be sending some people, who are already on the way, here. You’re going to spend the rest of your life there, whether you like it or not."

I frowned. He wanted to lock Dexter up in an asylum?

I gave Dexter a worried look. Martin had the upper hand in numbers, and as Dexter’s elder, he wasn’t wrong for wanting to get Dexter admitted to an asylum, especially since Dexter had a record.

What could I do?