Rebirth: Love me Again

Chapter 198 Shattered Trust, Forged Resolve

[BONUS Chapter for reaching 800PS! Thank you all! ????]

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[IRAYA]

Continue your adventure with empire

Being the only daughter of Zoe and Lawrence Lee, I grew up sheltered, protected, and cherished.

My life was a bubble of love and kindness, where trust came naturally, and betrayal was something I only read about in books. I was naive, guileless, and perhaps, foolishly optimistic.

I believed that the love I gave would always be returned in kind. My family adored me, my friends supported me, and my boyfriend . . . Well, I thought he cherished me. I thought our bond was unbreakable.

But that illusion shattered the moment I held the photos and papers in my trembling hands.

A picture—clear and damning—of my boyfriend and my best friend, locked in a passionate kiss. They were even some videos in where they're fucking, their intimacy captured in vivid detail. The timestamps were recent, far too recent.

The email, sent by none other than my cousin Lina Fay was proof that this wasn't a misunderstanding. This was 200% real and authentic.

I expected tears. I expected my heart to crumble under the weight of their betrayal. But what came instead was something I didn't even know I was capable of—pure, unrelenting rage.

It burned through me, sharp and consuming, leaving no room for sorrow or confusion. I stared at the images, my fingers gripping the edges of the papers so tightly they began to crumple.

My mind replayed every moment I had trusted them, every time I had ignored the nagging doubts, the small red flags.

How could I have been so blind?

But I didn't. I didn't want them to know. Because if they did, they wouldn't stop until they exacted their own brand of retribution, and this time, I wanted justice on my terms. For once, I wanted to fight my own battle.

Taking a deep breath, I picked up my bag and prepared for my final day of classes before the holiday break. As I passed by the full-length mirror near my closet, I caught a glimpse of my reflection and froze.

My hair, once a soft chestnut brown, now fell in sleek black waves down my waist. The memory came flooding back, unbidden.

Jason had asked me to dye it black. At the time, I thought it was because he liked it that way. I didn't question it, blinded by love and eager to please him. But now, standing here, the truth hit me like a punch to the gut.

Kylie.

My so-called best friend had hair just like this—long, silky, and raven-black. And suddenly, I could see all the moments I had ignored, all the red flags I had dismissed in the name of love.

The way Kylie always seemed to tag along on our dates, the subtle shift in Jason's demeanor whenever she was around. The gifts I bought for him that somehow ended up in her possession. The lingering glances they thought I wouldn't notice.

I was a fool. A blind, love-struck fool.

But not anymore.

I ran my fingers through my hair, my jaw tightening as anger bubbled up inside me. He had convinced me to change myself to look more like her.

How had I not seen it? The signs had been there all along, yet I had chosen to ignore them.

Not anymore.

The reflection in the mirror stared back at me, and for the first time, I hardly recognized the person looking back.

Gone was the naive girl who clung desperately to Jason's lies or turned a blind eye to Kylie's betrayals. No more excuses, no more second chances. I would personally ensure they paid for what they did—one way or another, I would claim my revenge.

This wasn't just about betrayal anymore. It was about reclaiming my dignity, my self-respect, and getting my well-deserve justice. And they'd regret the day they thought they could fool me.