After Rebirth I Set Him Free

"I just wanted him to stay with me for a few more days. Just a few more days, that's all!"

Her voice finally cracked, tears welling in her eyes.

I stood there quietly, listening. My gaze, however, drifted past her to Darren.

He was staring straight at me, muscles coiled, his eyes dark and stormy—a caged beast ready to break free.

This man, who once followed me everywhere, was now Scarlett's guard dog. If I showed the slightest malice, he would pounce and tear me to shreds.

A dull ache bloomed in my chest. All I knew was that I couldn't be selfish enough to chain him to my side again.

"There's no need to be afraid," I told Scarlett, forcing a smile. "I'm here to take you both back to the Valachi estate."

Scarlett was stunned, her eyes wide. "Both of us?"

"That's right." I nodded. "You're the one he loves. He would never come with me if I left you behind."

"Go pack your things. You're both coming with me."

My voice remained calm, even. "His father knows about you. He's agreed to let you be together."

Scarlett let out a long sigh of relief, her face beaming. She grabbed Darren's hand, smiling wider than I’d ever seen, and hurried off to pack.

Only then did Darren seem to realize I had no intention of harming Scarlett. The tension in his shoulders eased, and he pursed his lips.

"Sorry," he said softly. "I thought you were going to do something to her."

His entire world now seemed to revolve around her.

I remembered how he used to flee into my arms whenever Scarlett pestered him, feigning distress. He would insist I publicly declare he was mine.

"Tell them I'm yours. Use your toughest voice."

He'd even scrunch his face into a fierce little grimace for me to copy.

We would always dissolve into helpless laughter, tumbling onto the sofa in a heap.

But that was all gone. Darren was no longer mine.

I forced another smile and brought them back to the Valachi estate.

When it came time for introductions, everyone hesitated.

So, I spoke up. "Hi, Darren. I'm Alessia."

"We grew up together. I've always seen you as my little brother. You even promised to find me a good man, but then you lost your memory, so I'm still single."

Those in the know exchanged uneasy glances, but Darren just laughed.

"Alright, Alessia. Once I get settled, I promise I'll find the best man in the world for you."

That night, the smell of smoke woke me.

I went outside to find a fire blazing in the backyard. The blaze devoured every trace of the life Darren and I had built together.

Childhood photos, my father's old manuscripts, and even the little knight he’d carved for me from a bullet casing when he first confessed his love...

Everything crackled as it turned to ash.

A sharp pain seized my chest, as if something vital was being ripped from me.

Just then, Darren turned and saw me.

"We were all we had back then, so of course we were close."

"But now that Scarlett's here, having these things around would only make her uncomfortable. So I burned them. You don't mind, do you?"

I clenched my fists, fighting to keep my composure, to hide the heartbreak from my face.

"It's fine," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "The things in my room… go ahead and burn them, too."