Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

My head was spinning, and my ears rang. I couldn’t even hear anything else.

Ms. Ewing wouldn’t have dared to strike me if she was just one of Dexter’s people. Who exactly was she working for? What was she planning to do?

"He messed with your memories, miss. He wanted to make you forget all those things... Hurry up and recover your memories. It’s time to get back on track," Ms. Ewing whispered something in my ear, yet I couldn’t hear her clearly because of the ringing.

"He found the secret to reincarnation and the key to altering memories, miss. You were right-he’s a dangerous person, and he’s obstructing your plan.

"It’s time for you to recall everything, miss. The plan is still progressing smoothly, so it’s time for you to wake up-" she continued to urge impatiently.

Who was Ms. Ewing talking about? Who was the one who was supposed to wake up now? Whose memory had been altered?

I had a severe headache. Something seemed to be emerging from my mind.

Was she talking about me and my memories?

I had always wondered why Dexter and everything related to him was the only thing I couldn’t remember. Who was the one messing with my memories? My amnesia certainly wasn’t only an accident.

Was it Dexter? Why would he do that?

I had clearly regained part of my memories, yet there were still many that I couldn’t recall-as if they were sealed off.

I struggled in pain.

"Sophia!" I heard Dexter’s voice amidst my struggle. Worry bled out of his voice.

"As expected, you’re really something.’ It seemed that he had deliberately left the villa to test Ms. Ewing. "You want her to recall everything, so you’re trying to use external force to recover her memories? You’re harming her instead!" Dexter said, his voice gruff as if scolding her.

I struggled to regain my consciousness, yet I couldn’t no matter how much I tried.

"She has her own path to walk on, but you you’re the one who’s constantly obstructing her! You’re the one who messed with her memories after that car accident, turning her into a fool who kept crying over a man! That’s not my miss!

"You’re the one harming her! If it weren’t for you messing with her memories, she wouldn’t have been hurt by people like Damien and Yasmin. The one who indirectly caused her death was you!" Ms. Ewing was vehemently accusing Dexter.

"What do you even know?" he cried out, almost losing control of his emotions.

"It’ll be self-destructive if she continues," he said, his voice hoarse.

"Don’t think I don’t know what your intentions are. Do you think she’ll ever love you even if you mess with her memories? She’s heartless and unfeeling-she won’t love anyone. The plan was her only focus, and she was willing to pay any price and sacrifice anyone-including you!"

Ms. Ewing’s words were sharp.

She continued, "Relationships were never the most important to her. Do you think you’ll be able to trap her by your side forever by messing with her memories, ruining her, and changing her body? Do you think she’ll become a loyal housewife just for you? Dream on!"

Dexter seemed like he couldn’t be bothered to explain to Ms. Ewing. Soon, I heard her struggle and the sounds of her being brought away by someone.

I wanted to regain my consciousness to get to the bottom of everything, but I couldn’t open my eyes.

"Don’t trust anyone, Sophia-not even me," he choked, pulling me into his embrace. I could feel him trembling in anxiousness.

"I want to save you, Sophia. You should live an ordinary life. Hatred shouldn’t have ruined you. You shouldn’t have to bear those sins. Live your life untainted, Sophia. Leave all the dirty work to me." Dexter’s voice was choked with emotions, conveying both coldness and determination.

He seemed to be making a vow-professing his love toward Sophia Milford and his unwavering determination.

"We don’t have much time left, Sophia. I love you, I love you,’ Dexter repeatedly told me that he loved me while kissing my forehead.

"Forget about me, Sophia. I want you to live an untainted life, enjoying simple and carefree days under the sun," Dexter said in an earnest tone, expressing his hopes for my future.

He told me to forget about him, but I didn’t want to.

"Just sleep for now, Sophia. Everything will be alright-it will," he said, voice growing hoarser.

I could feel him hugging me tight. I could also feel the syringe being injected into my body.

Dexter continued, "I wanted to be selfish and keep you for myself for longer, Sophia. I had wanted the four of us to settle down in the mountains for a little while, but it’s too late now. Jimmy has already shown his hand, and the Rebels have exposed the laboratory in the desolate area through Maya.

"Everything has changed overnight, and now is the crucial time for the Rebels to strike at Genome Society. Everything... will be alright once you regain consciousness. His voice grew fainter and fainter until I could no longer hear him.

My soul felt incredibly heavy, and I couldn’t open my eyes. I remained trapped in confusion.

I could feel his endless despair. I wanted to hug him, but I couldn’t.

"Have you made up your mind, Dad?’ I could vaguely hear Ashton’s voice from afar amidst my daze. "Can you... not leave us, Dad?"

"Remember to protect your mom and always stay by her side,’ Dexter instructed.

Suddenly, fear and anxiety struck me hard, and I struggled with all my might. Everything seemed to be coming to an end, but why was I afraid of such a feeling?

I struggled hard, trying to regain consciousness to stop Dexter, but I couldn’t do anything anymore.

I remained in confusion for the longest time-dazed and unable to distinguish time and space.

My mind was blank, as if I had forgotten many things.

"Sophia?"

I heard someone calling my name in a daze. It was a familiar voice.

"Wake up, Sophia. Did you forget we’re supposed to bring the kids to the beach today?"

I rubbed my aching forehead and tried to open my eyes. The sunlight was blinding, and a tall figure stood by the bedside to block the harsh light.

He was standing against the light, but I could make out his face. For a moment, I felt disoriented and found him unfamiliar.

"What’s wrong?" The man seemed worried about me as he touched my forehead. "You don’t have a fever, Sophia. It’s time to get up."

I propped myself up with my elbows and looked at him. "How long have I been asleep... Damien?"

He flashed me a smile and replied, "You’ve been knocked out for 12 hours. You stayed up to play with the kids until 2:00 am and refused to get up in the morning."

I smiled as a memory flashed in my mind.

I was freely running in the field with my two kids and a dog. The weather was perfect, and we played until sunset. We then went into the forest to catch some fireflies and stargaze.

And then... the stars were covered by clouds and disappeared from sight.

"Did it rain last night?" I asked. My memory ended with the starry sky being covered by clouds.