Rebirth: Love me Again

Cole was driving his cousins, Zachary and Ella, to a restaurant for lunch. The car was filled with chatter, mostly from Ella, who couldn't seem to stop talking about Eve.

"She was so cool! You should have seen her, Zach," Ella gushed. "I really thought she was just a lovestruck fool who latched onto Cole like a leech, but she has a sharp tongue! And get this—she beat up a boy! I didn't expect that at all. You should've seen how she just glanced at Cole and walked away like he was air! Honestly, I thought she was going to leap into his arms like she always does and then insist on tagging along with us to the restaurant."

Zachary chuckled, his eyes glancing at Cole through the rearview mirror. "Yeah, I gotta admit, I always thought she was just a beautiful face obsessed with Cole. But when I saw her earlier, she seemed . . .

different

."

"Right?!" Ella exclaimed, nodding enthusiastically.

Zachary grinned slyly. "It seems like Eve doesn't like you anymore, Cole. Could she have finally come to her senses?"

Ella giggled. "Good for her."

Zachary, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, leaned closer to Cole. "If that's the case, maybe I should make her my woman, huh?"

"Brother!" Ella rolled her eyes, half-joking but half-serious. "You've already got enough women flocking around you."

Zachary shrugged with a carefree grin. "Not my fault if they come running to me, is it?"

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Cole's expression remained stoic, but a subtle crack formed in his composure. His mind drifted back to the moment earlier, where he and Eve had briefly locked eyes before she frowned, flipped her hair, and walked away as if he didn't exist.

Her behavior over the past few days had been baffling. It was like she didn't want anything to do with him anymore. That was a stark contrast to how she used to be—constantly calling him, showing up uninvited with gifts, and even following him around.

She had been a relentless presence in his life, always trying to get closer. But now, Eve felt distant, like a different person entirely.

He had initially thought she was faking it—pretending to be indifferent to get his attention. But there was something about her recent demeanor that didn't feel like an act. Every time their paths crossed now, there was an unmistakable anger in her eyes. That kind of revulsion couldn't be fake, and it unsettled him more than he'd care to admit.

"Do you think she's just faking it?" Ella mused, half to herself.

"Faking it?" Zachary raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Yeah, like maybe she's trying to get Cousin Cole's attention by pretending she doesn't care anymore," Ella said with a small chuckle. "Women used that tactic all the time."

Zachary laughed too, but there was a glint of seriousness in his eyes. "Maybe, but did you see her face earlier? She looked furious. If she had a knife, I swear she might have stabbed Cole."

Cole didn't respond. He kept his eyes on the road, but the tension in his jaw gave him away. Zachary's words lingered, making him wonder if others had noticed Eve's anger too. He hadn't imagined it—there was no way that kind of emotion could be faked. It radiated off her like heat from a fire.

Zachary, noticing Cole's silence, leaned closer, teasing but with a hint of sincerity. "Is it alright, then? If I make Eve mine? I mean, after all, you don't like her, right?"

Without warning, Cole slammed his foot on the brakes. The car jerked to a halt, sending Zachary flying forward, only saved by his seatbelt.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Zachary complained, rubbing his chest.

"We're here," Cole said coldly, his expression unreadable as he stared straight ahead.

Ella couldn't help but smirk knowingly and whispered to her brother, "That means no."

Zachary laughed, shaking his head. "I was just kidding! But seriously, Cole, if you like her, you should tell her. If you don't, then let her know. Don't string her along, man—that's cruel."

Cole inhaled deeply, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the steering wheel. His eyes flicked toward Zachary, ice-cold and sharp. "I already told her I don't like her. Years ago."

Zachary's eyebrows shot up, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing his face. "Oh, so . . . if that's the case then—"

Before Zachary could finish, Cole opened the door and stormed out of the car, slamming it shut behind him. The force of the slam made both Zachary and Ella flinch.

"Looks like you struck a nerve," Ella said, giving her brother a sidelong glance.

Zachary scratched the back of his head, letting out a sigh. "What an indecisive man."

The two exited the car and made their way into the restaurant, but the moment they stepped inside and headed to their usual table, they were both taken aback by what they saw.

There, sitting at a corner table, was Eve. But she wasn't alone.

Across from her sat a man, someone neither Zachary nor Ella had ever seen before. He was tall, dressed in a sharp suit, with an air of confidence about him. The two were engaged in deep conversation, Eve laughing at something he said. Her usual sharp demeanor was softened, replaced by a rare smile that lit up her face.

Ella's eyes widened in surprise, and Zachary whistled under his breath. "Well, well . . . Looks like someone's moved on."

Cole, who had just entered the restaurant behind them, froze when he saw Eve. His gaze locked onto her, his body stiffening as he took in the sight of her with another man. For a moment, his face was unreadable, but then, something flickered in his eyes—something close to anger or perhaps confusion.

Eve, sensing eyes on her, glanced up and met Cole's gaze. There was no hesitation, no flustered look or awkwardness. Instead, she simply offered him a cool, indifferent glance, as if he were nothing more than a passing stranger. Then, without missing a beat, she turned her attention back to the man sitting across from her, completely unfazed.