Cherished by My Taker After Rebirth

Chapter 5 Alexander's First Love

After a long silence, Alexander finally spoke up, his voice a little hesitant. "You probably won't believe this, but I… had a dream."

"In the dream, everything from yesterday still happened. I also dreamt that you had a diary, with a blue cover…"

As he spoke, Alexander watched Lily closely, but to his disappointment, Lily's expression remained unchanged—she didn't even blink.

"What are you talking about?"

On the surface, Lily appeared calm, but deep inside, she was in a complete panic.

She had burned that notebook today—did this mean that Alexander's memories from the past life were starting to resurface?

She was startled by the thought but kept her face impassive, continuing to listen to his words.

Seeing that Lily remained unfazed, Alexander stopped himself from saying more.

"Forget it, I must be overthinking."

Lily sighed with relief. "Mr. Steele, I don't have any blue diary, and I don't keep a diary. As for yesterday, it wasn't something I planned, so you don't need to worry.

I've taken the medication, and there won't be anything between us from now on."

Despite feeling a surge of anger, Alexander still maintained his usual cool, indifferent demeanor.

"Where are you going? I'll give you a ride."

Just as Lily was about to reply, her world suddenly started to blur, as though a thin veil of mist had descended over her vision. Her thoughts became muddled, and a sharp buzzing sound overwhelmed her senses. Clutching her head in agony, she let out a soft, pained cry.

Before Alexander could react, Lily fainted.

The last thing she heard before losing consciousness was his urgent call: "Lily!"

Panicking, Alexander rushed her to the nearest hospital.

As he watched Lily lying on the hospital bed, a whirlwind of thoughts engulfed his mind. The night before, he'd had a strange dream. In it, after being with Lily, she became pregnant. They ended up getting married, but the wedding day wasn't a happy one. He dreamt of Lily constantly glancing nervously at the pocket watch in her hands.

Something else seemed to have happened after that, but before he could make sense of it, he woke up.

He didn't know what the dream meant, but he remembered that blue diary. Inside it were all of Lily's girlish thoughts, her secret crush on him.

Looking at Lily's peaceful sleeping face, Alexander's emotions were a mix of confusion and longing. So, Lily had always felt that way about him? But why had she suddenly turned so distant?

*****

When Lily woke up again, she found herself in a familiar, clean room—Alexander's apartment in the city.

The door opened, and there stood Alexander.

Lily's eyes narrowed, her body instinctively tensing.

"Feeling better?" Alexander asked, his voice somewhat distant.

Lily gave a guarded nod. "Much better, thank you, Mr. Steele."

Alexander's expression was unreadable. "The doctor said it was stress, plus the side effects of the birth control pills. You just need to rest, and you'll be fine."

He handed her a glass of water.

Lily took it without hesitation and thanked him.

Before Alexander could say anything else, the doorbell rang.

He excused himself to answer it.

The moment the door opened, a melodious laugh filled the air, and Lily immediately recognized the voice—Isabella.

As expected, Isabella had come bearing a feast of food.

"Alex, I got your favorite Italian food from that place you like. Surprised?" Isabella's bright smile lit up her face.

Alexander hadn't expected Isabella to show up at this moment, and a hint of helplessness flickered in his eyes. "Come in, Lils's inside."

Isabella paused for a second, then a fake look of surprise appeared on her face. "Lils's here? Well, we should definitely have her join us for lunch!"

Alexander nodded. "You make yourself at home. I'll go check on her."

Isabella watched Alexander leave, her eyes full of frustration and bitterness.

Her plan the previous night had been flawless. She was supposed to drug Alexander and get him into her room so they could… but instead, he'd broken free midway and ended up in Lily's room, ruining everything.

Isabella quickly covered up her displeasure and began setting the food on the table with a smile, trying to appear like the perfect fiancée.

Lily hadn't expected to meet Isabella here, and the sight of her instantly made her stomach turn. She forced down the anger rising in her chest and steeled herself to face this woman.

Isabella greeted her in the same overly friendly tone. "Lils, you're up! Hurry up and wash your hands. I knew you two wouldn't be the ones to cook. It's already noon and no one's made anything, but luckily, I came to the rescue."

Her words, on the surface, seemed like playful teasing between siblings, but there was a clear underlying jab at Lily for being lazy and still in bed at noon.

Lily wasn't one to back down easily. She smiled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If we're talking about being diligent, who could beat you? You're not even married yet, and you're already over here every day."

Isabella's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, gesturing for them to sit at the table.

Alexander, who had noticed the tension between them, stiffened. On the surface, Isabella was his fiancée, but in reality, their engagement was nothing more than a ruse, a means to help her escape a forced marriage to an older man.

Lily's irritation only grew. In her past life, on Lucas's birthday, she had taken him to an amusement park. Alexander had promised to go with them, but when it was time to leave, his phone had been unreachable. Lily had thought he was busy with work, but at the park, she had spotted Alexander with Isabella and her daughter, happily riding the carousel.

She would never forget the look of disappointment on Lucas's face.

This was just one example of many. Alexander wasn't a good husband, nor was he a good father.

Sitting at the table now, facing Isabella, Lily looked at the spread of food and instantly lost her appetite.

"Alex, it seems like your good news with Isa is coming soon, huh? Grandpa Steele already knows. When you have a son or daughter, don't forget to let me hold them!"

The moment Lily spoke, the atmosphere at the table changed. Isabella's expression faltered, and Alexander's face darkened.

Isabella was fully aware that Lily was the one who had been with Alexander the night before, and she couldn't figure out what Lily's game was.

Alexander's expression turned completely cold.

Lily continued, her voice laced with mockery. "When you two get married, don't forget me. After all, I'm the one who made it all possible, right?"

At that, Alexander couldn't hold back any longer. He grabbed Lily and pulled her into a room, his patience worn thin.

Lily, still wearing her provocative grin, didn't flinch.