Echoes of a Shattered Vow

Lillian didn't notice Elton glancing her way.

She slipped to a corner, sipping champagne. After a few glasses, someone snatched her drink.

She looked up to see Elton, his lips red, with a faint trace of Jill's lipstick on his cheek.

Lillian's heart twinged, and she looked away.

Elton's voice was cold. "You set that up? I'm with Jill now. Whatever stunts you pulled to chase me before, I don't want to see them again."

Lillian bit her lip and nodded. "Got it. From now on, I will only see you as my brother."

Her tone felt distant. She hadn't called him that in years.

Hearing it today sparked an odd irritation in him. "You'd better mean it, or I'll think you're scheming again since you couldn't marry me by breaking your legs."

His words hit like a sledgehammer. Lillian froze.

Breaking her legs was from her past life, and he knew.

Apparently, he had been reborn, too.

That was why he could pull her out of harm's way just in time when the truck came, changing the outcome of her past life.

"So, you're reborn, too?" she asked.

He sighed, but his expression didn't soften. "This time, let's both move on."

He turned to leave without another word.

That night, Lillian walked home alone. When she tried her fingerprint to unlock the door, it failed.

She'd lived with Elton since he moved out at 18, and this had never happened before.

As she puzzled over it, the door clicked open.

Jill stood there, wrapped in a bath towel, staring at Lillian before smacking her forehead in mocking regret. "Oh, shoot. Elton must've deleted your fingerprint when he added mine during the day. Come on in."

She ushered Lillian inside like she owned the place.

Lillian noticed several boxes in the living room. At a closer look, she realized those were her belongings.

Elton stepped out of the kitchen and spoke flatly. "Jill and I are engaged. She's moving in."

Lillian understood instantly. She nodded calmly. "Alright, I'll move out."

She grabbed her bags, but Elton snatched them away. "I didn't ask you to leave. My parents already have issues with Jill. You running off will just make things harder for her."

Jill chimed in, "Yeah, you've got it wrong. Elton said your room has better lighting, so I'm taking it. I didn't know where to put your stuff, so it's in the living room."

Elton tossed the bags into a guest room. "You said you wanted to be siblings, right? Then act like it and stay put. Don't cause me any more trouble."

Lillian lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "Got it."

She'd be gone soon anyway. Where to stay made no difference.

Over the next few days, Elton openly fawned over Jill in front of Lillian, but she stayed calm.

She just quietly packed her things and handled her visa paperwork.