Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

“Took off?” I frowned, wondering what on earth Dexter was up to now. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Did he swing by your place?” Stella inquired.

“Nope, I’ve been…” I was shacked up in a villa that Colin had rented on the outskirts of town. Dexter wouldn’t have a clue where to find me, unless he went to the Langley Mansion?

“What if he showed up at the Langley Mansion?” I bolted upright, got up and changed my shoes, “The guy better not be kicking the bucket on the Langley family’s doorstep. Talk about a bad

omen.

After hanging up, Stella and I both made a beeline for the Langley estate. Sure enough, we found Dexter barely on his feet at the entrance.

What was he thinking, leaving the hospital and his cozy bed to come see me?

Dexter was as pale as a ghost, and when he saw me, he slumped against the wall, “Phoebe Caldwell.”

He was calling me “Phoebe“?

The guy had lost it, looking for a stand–in again.

My brows furrowed, “Dexter, if you’re gonna die, at least don’t do it on my doorstep.”

Dexter stumbled towards me, and then suddenly pulled me into a fierce hug, “Phoebe…I’m

sorry.

I recoiled as if I’d been shocked, my anger flaring up as I stared at him, “What’s wrong with you?”

Dexter collapsed on the ground, his shirt soaking up fresh blood from a wound in his abdomen. “I shouldn’t have doubted you,” he seemed convinced I was Phoebe, like Colin, looking for some fragile hope to cling to.

“You’ve got the wrong person,” my voice was grim.

“I know you’re Phoebe. When I was nearly dying, I saw Foebe Larson,” Dexter seemed delirious,

his words low.

I froze, panic surging through me, “What did you say?”

Who did he think he saw?

“Foebe Larson,” he seemed to doubt his own words, as if it was all just a dream. But he was stubborn, convinced his dream was reality. Phoebe hadn’t died; she was reborn in Foebe.

I took a deep breath, glancing nervously around.

“Maybe it was all just a dream.” Dexter’s voice was hoarse. “At least, let me make it up to you.”

10

He meant that whether I was Phoebe or not, he wanted to atone for his guilt towards her by making it up to me. To be honest, it was sickening.

“Phoebe, believe me, whatever Caleb can offer you, I can match.” Dexter’s gaze burned into me, his hand reaching out desperately, “Phoebe, come back with me, will you? If you must use Caleb…then use me instead.”

It seemed like he was pleading, begging me to use him.

I snorted, taking a step back. Once upon a time, I would have done anything for him, and he treated me like I was poison. And now he was begging someone who looked like me to use

him.

All to make up for the way he treated me before.

What a piece of work.

“Dexter, you’re despicable.” I said gravely, and then turned to Stella, who had arrived with Robin, “This guy belongs in an asylum, thinking I’m Phoebe.”

Stella gave me a complex look, and then asked softly. “Do you think if Phoebe was still around, she’d have let go by now?”

“Pfft, only a fool holds onto grudges. What, does she want to die a few more times or something?” I responded sarcastically.

Stella cracked a smile and then suddenly hugged me tight.

I was baffled, “What the… We’re not exactly tight, Stella.”

“I think you’re pretty cool. I want to be friends with you.” Stella extended her hand to me, “Nice to meet you, Foebe Larson. I’m Stella, Phoebe’s best friend.”

I looked down, smiling, and took her hand.

Starting life anew, I wasn’t just going to protect myself; I was going to look out for the friends i cherished the most.

In fact, the moment before my last breath, I had sworn that if I got a second chance, 1, Phoebe Caldwell, would only care about those who cared for me, only love those who loved me.