Rebirth of Billionaire's Wife

"She could barely fall asleep but I am glad she's fine now," Stefan said to Eveline over the phone.

The moment Jonathan revealed the truth about Jedrick's marriage to Mischelle, Eveline hadn't been able to shake off the unease creeping into her mind. Suddenly, everything about Ella's abrupt departure and Stefan's reluctance to confess made perfect sense.

She realized how devastated Ella must have felt and how difficult it would be for her to cope with it. Thankfully, Stefan reassured her that Ella was asleep, but even he couldn't guarantee what would happen once she woke up.

"Jedrick played dirty this time, Eve. With Mischelle by his side, he knows he can control Ella, which means he can control us," Stefan gritted out, frustration lacing his voice.

He should have been more careful, perhaps even anticipated it, if Rick had managed to dig up any information. But it seemed even Rick had been left in the dark about Jedrick's scheme.

"How are we even going to stop him, brother? Every move we make to bring him down backfires. And now, it's starting to feel impossible to come up with anything at all," Eveline admitted, the tension gnawing at her chest.

She had no idea where this thirst for vengeance would lead them, but she feared the outcome would be far worse than she dared to imagine.

After talking with Stefan, Eveline hung up the call and returned to her bed. Her heart was still restless, but as she thought about Jedrick, one thing struck her. His connection to Gerald and, in turn, his relationship with Mischelle. There was something eerily similar about it, yet unsettling. How could someone be so calculating about their emotions?

"No wonder I had a feeling you'd still be awake," Gabriel's voice broke through Eveline's thoughts. She turned to see him stepping toward her bed, having just climbed in through the window. He settled next to her with ease.

"Nothing is going our way, Gabriel, and it's scaring me," Eveline admitted, her voice trembling as she looked at him expectantly, hoping he had some way to ease the storm raging in her mind.

The sight of her so vulnerable, so lost, made Gabriel's chest tighten. Without hesitation, he reached for her and, with a swift motion, pulled her between his legs, holding her close.

"What's wrong, baby?" he murmured, nuzzling her face in an attempt to soothe her.

Gabriel had thought he had calmed Eveline after dropping her home earlier, but seeing her like this now, all the tension in her frame, made his heart constrict.

Eveline paused for a moment, cocooning herself in his warmth before gathering the courage to disclose the truth Jonathan had told her.

Gabriel didn't say a word but simply held her closer, his heartbeat steady against her. He couldn't bring himself to speak; trying to make sense of Jedrick's twisted games felt impossible, even for him.

"Nothing seems to make sense, Gabriel, and it's maddening," Eveline gritted out, frustration tightening her jaw.

She had once believed that the purpose of her rebirth was to clear the misunderstandings between her and Gabriel. But throughout this journey, she had uncovered hidden secrets she never even knew existed in her past life.

Was she truly meant to live happily this time, or was there something more? Because in her previous life, she had left halfway without ever knowing what became of the people she had once loved after her death.

As they remained like that, Eveline didn't realize when sleep finally overtook her. Her breathing evened out, her body relaxing in Gabriel's embrace.

Gently, he helped her lie down and tucked her beneath the duvet before joining her. Resting on his side, he propped his head on his elbow, his gaze fixed on her peaceful face.

He couldn't look away, knowing exactly what was running through her mind. Her fears were his own. He had spent countless nights thinking about their past, but he always forced those thoughts aside, reminding himself that he was no longer the man he used to be.

And yet, Jedrick's presence unsettled him in a way he couldn't ignore. No matter how much he tried to push the feeling away, it crept back in again and again, invading the calm he desperately tried to hold on to.

"It scares me too, to think about what awaits us and how we're going to handle it. But I promise you, I won't let us be separated."

Gabriel had no idea why he made that promise. Maybe it was his fears, or perhaps the haunting memories of their past that compelled him to say those words. But more than anything, he needed to reassure not just her, but himself, that he was here, and no matter what happened, he always would be.

***

The morning light streamed through the curtains as Ella woke up with a throbbing headache. However, the sight of Stefan beside her made her pause.

She had drowned herself in misery the night before, drinking until the pain dulled, until she could no longer think about the betrayal that had shattered her. Her mother's actions had left her feeling helpless, defeated, and trapped under Jedrick's control. And yet, all he had done was offer fake reassurances, claiming it had been a mutual decision.

'How can a man lie so effortlessly, as if expecting everyone to believe him?'

Ella remained silent, unwilling to confront the thoughts swirling in her mind. Slowly, she slid out of bed and made her way to the restroom.

She needed to pull herself together, to clear her head, because now, she knew the truth. Jedrick would use her mother to control her, to make her dance at his command. And she couldn't afford to let that happen.

She simply shook her head, watching as the worry in his eyes slowly faded.

Without hesitation, Ella wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

Stefan remained silent, his embrace steady and comforting, holding her until she felt at ease.

"About your mom—" Stefan began, but Ella cut him off.

"She's being used," she said firmly.