Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace



"No way," Stella shook her head. "Phoebe Caldwell reincarnating into Melody? Gross... Better off dead."

The gloom of the past few days was finally lifted in that moment, drawing a laugh from us both.

I bowed my head in resignation, laughing till I felt like crying. "Yeah, waking up as the person you loathe most is practically a fate worse than death." Seeing me laugh, Stella reached out and took my wrist. "Don't overthink it. She thinks she can fool everyone, but those who truly cared for Phoebe Caldwell can't be deceived. Details and feelings are hard to mimic. Who does she think she is..."

I too felt that Melody was fighting a losing battle.

But her charade wasn't for convincing us; it was aimed at Dexter and Colin.

Dexter had long been brainwashed and manipulated by Damian. It was no surprise he believed Melody was Phoebe Caldwell.

But Colin...

I tried calling Colin.

He rejected my call the first time.

He never used to do that.

"Colin won't be fooled by her," Stella sighed. "Phoebe... sometimes, you've got to try trusting someone. Constantly doubting someone is exhausting." Stella always had a knack for seeing through me.

"And if... there really are reasons to doubt?" I still felt there were too many suspicious things about Colin.

Hiding a murderer and secretly harboring Dorian...

"Give unconditional trust a shot. Life's a gamble, might as well bet big once in a while," Stella locked eyes with me before speaking again. "Let me tell you a secret."

I nodded.

"I actually have a thing for Robin..." Stella looked down, her ears tinting red.

My mouth fell open, though I wasn't really surprised; I'd sensed it.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"What about Robin?" I whispered, feeling a bit anxious.

Ah, the innate curiosity of women.

"He...," Stella took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. "He doesn't like me."

"That's impossible, I think he's quite nice to you," I was shocked.

"Phoebe, sometimes mutual feelings aren't enough to be together. He said he doesn't like me, and even if he did, it means he doesn't want to be with me," Stella analyzed correctly.

Robin's sense of duty was too strong, and his return to the detective force was inevitable. His job was too dangerous.

He probably didn't want to hold Stella back.

"The other day my mom suddenly

showed up, found where I was renting, and knocked on the door to see Robin, I told her we were just roommates, but she wouldn't have it, immediately started talking about arranging a marriage... wanting Robin to marry me..." Stella was helpless.

I knew about Stella's family situation.

Her dad was a piece of work, and her mom was too conservative, obsessed with control.

"Robin moved out to avoid dragging

me into it went back to the

barracks," Stella lay next to me, looking at the ceiling without strength, just like old times. "Phoebe, life is so exhausting."

"What are you thinking?" I reached over, patting her head.

"I think I want to get married. If I do, I can escape my mom's control," Stella whispered.

I understood Stella... Back in our

college days, she'd mentioned if she

wanted to start anew, she'd choose marriage post-graduation. If neither of us got married, we'd just stick together.

But now, I was already married...

To Colin, of all people.

Stella probably felt utterly alone.

I looked at her, feeling guilty, yet at a loss for words of comfort.

"I asked him if he'd marry me, and he moved out," Stella laughed, but I knew she wanted to cry.

Robin moving out of the apartment was his answer.

They couldn't get married.

Robin couldn't give Stella the life she wanted.

"Have you guys, like, defined your relationship? How far did it go?" I whispered.