Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

"Let’s go check on Sofia," Zion pulled Violette away, fearing she might get emotional.

Violette murmured softly, "You’re lying... Sophia has reincarnated. She’s alive..."

Zion sighed helplessly. "As a forensic scientist, you should think scientifically."

Tears welled up in Violette’s eyes as she responded, "Science hasn’t taught me how to accept the death of my best friend! Compared to science, I’d rather believe Sophia is alive..."

Despite Violette’s faith in science, it provided no solace for the anguish of losing a loved one. Hence, it was no wonder she chose to believe otherwise.

Eason glanced at Dexter before silently turning away. Una and I waited for Dexter’s response.

"Even if Sophia has turned into a dog, I’d still recognize her," Dexter rebuffed Una’s advances, his voice calm yet distant.

I couldn’t help but find his response both amusing and bewildering. Looking up at Dexter, my tears seemed to dry up before they threatened to fall.

How could he be so obstinate, to the point of absurdity?

"Who are you calling a dog?" I retorted hoarsely, attempting to grab his shirt but failing to reach him. Una suddenly laughed. "I’d love to see how far you’ll delude yourself... Anyway, now that the laboratory is exposed, the organization will want to eliminate everything related to it—including me. If I want to survive, I’ll need someone to protect me, Dexter."

Approaching Dexter, she continued, "I have the same genes as Sophia Milford flowing in my body. So, you’ll protect me like how you protected her, won’t you?"

Feeling a twinge of jealousy, I tried to shield Dexter from Una’s approach, but it was futile.

I glanced down at my hands, a strange feeling creeping over me.

During my previous ordeal, when my soul was extracted from my body, I experienced unprecedented pain and despair. However, this time, I felt something different intense jealousy and possessiveness.

For a fleeting moment, I entertained a delusion. Regardless of whether I truly was Sophia Milford, as long as Dexter cared for me, I would never allow anyone else to claim him.

Since both Una and I were mere substitutes, why should I be the one to give up on him?

He was mine and mine alone. If anyone dared to take him from me... I would kill her.

I stood frozen, my gaze fixated on Una. I was consumed by an overwhelming urge to eradicate this clone. It was a chilling impulse that sent shivers down my spine.

"Sophia is awake!" Violette exclaimed, rushing out of the ward to find the doctor.

I was momentarily stunned, and I felt the world spin around me.

"Sophia?"

As I opened my eyes, I found myself awake in my body, though I was still struggling to gain full control. The doctor hurried in, conducting a quick examination.

"The patient is still weak. She needs rest," he declared before leaving with his team.

Violette remained by my bedside, tears glistening in her eyes as she clasped my hand. "Sophia... I’m so relieved you’re awake."

Despite all evidence pointing to the contrary, she continued to cling to the belief that I was Sophia. "Sophia..." Dexter burst into the ward and cupped my face in his hands. His forehead was pressed against mine, and tears were streaming down his cheeks.

His fear of losing me stirred something deep within me. It was a feeling I couldn’t quite put into words. It was as if I had discovered the true purpose of my existence, the reason for being in this world.

At that moment, everything clicked into place. I realized that I had discovered a reason to keep living, a sense of purpose that had eluded me for so long.

After experiencing that killing game in the ruins and grappling with the madness of possessiveness in my heart, I knew I would never again entertain thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

In the past, I believed that death could inflict pain on those who harmed me. I viewed it as the ultimate retaliation against the organization.

But now, such notions seemed childish. My death wouldn’t harm those villains; it would only bring sadness and despair to the ones I loved, repeatedly.

Summoning all my strength, I lifted my hands to hold Dexter’s face, managing a weak smile. "Long time no see, Dexter..." My Dexter.

Dexter stiffened at my touch, his eyes closing as warm tears landed on my eyelashes.

He was such a crybaby... It was hard to reconcile that with the man who went berserk and lashed out at others.

"I’ve prayed countless times, hoping that you’ll be fine..." Dexter whispered softly, his voice trembling.

"I never knew a genius would believe in a higher power too," I joked weakly.

He chuckled. "I don’t... but when a heart feels empty, it needs something to lean on, Sophia."

I stared at him blankly, suddenly recalling a faint yet vivid memory buried deep within me.

In that memory, one of my high school classmates, perhaps named Cecile, was diagnosed with cancer.

Despite knowing that there was no higher power in this world, Cecile’s grandmother fervently prayed every day for her. Cecile’s grandmother, who was in her 60s, even climbed the mountain tirelessly each day, seeking blessings for Cecile’s well-being.

My classmates mocked Cecile, deeming her grandmother’s actions superstitious and meaningless.

At that time, I couldn’t grasp the significance either. Despite Cecile’s terminal illness, she remained content each day.

I once asked Cecile, "Do your grandmother’s prayers truly make a difference? There are no gods in this world."

Cecile smiled and responded, "My grandmother is my god."

I stood there, stunned by Cecile’s words. I was unable to comprehend them fully. Yet now, I finally understand their profound meaning.

Regardless of whether I was truly Sophia Milford, the moment Dexter and Violette started treating me as her, it seemed I had become something akin to a deity in their eyes.

Therefore, I felt compelled to keep going, to stay alive until Dexter abandoned me.

"Don’t be with her. Don’t even look at her. Keep your eyes on me and me alone. I’m the embodiment of your love," I declared imperiously, commanding Dexter to focus solely on me and to disregard Una completely.

Never did I imagine I’d feel jealous of the face of my past self one day.

"Okay," Dexter replied without hesitation, always indulging my unreasonable requests.

After venting my jealousy, I drifted back into unconsciousness, or perhaps it was more like falling into a deep slumber.

With everything now resolved, I no longer needed to fret or ponder. I could finally drift into a peaceful sleep. It was a welcomed relief.

"Damn it! You goddamn bitch!" I heard someone cursing as I began to stir awake.

It was Eason, known for his colorful language.

"Mind your language. There’s a high schooler present," Joel reprimanded Eason.

"Aren’t you supposed to be prepping for the college entrance exams? Why are you still here? Go back, you little punk," Eason snapped, clearly in a foul mood. It was likely due to someone rubbing him the wrong way.

As I opened my eyes, I found Joel, towering nearly six feet tall, advancing toward Eason with a sinister smirk on his face.

"If you need to let off steam, do it elsewhere." He grabbed the back of Eason’s shirt collar and gave him a firm shove out the door, which he slammed shut behind him with a loud thud.

Joel dusted off his hands as he turned to face Dexter, who was sitting by the bed with a brooding expression.

"That was irritating." Dexter’s eyes were still red, emitting a fierce intensity. He then commanded in a low tone, "You too. Get out."

"Okay," Joel replied compliantly, exiting the ward and closing the door behind him.