Rebirth: My stepdad is mine

Meet Again: Stepdad..? Never!

Lily Pov

That same word again. The same darn introduction I wish I’d never hear again, but here I am, listening to it just like my last life, but this time with a different feeling.

Bianca’s words broke the tension in the air and regretfully, Berlin's eyes shifted away from mine and turned to look at my mother, but I couldn't stop staring.

He didn't recognise me. I tried to check his eyes to see that familiarity but all I saw was coldness and indifference like he was looking at a stranger.

My gut twisted painfully, my fingers pierced through the skin of my palm and drew out blood but I couldn't come back to my senses.

Though, I didn't have any hope that he’d remember me, deep inside, I still kept a tingling hope and wish that he also came back with his memories and came here for me, but the moment those cold eyes of his settled on me, I knew my hope had been dashed.

My eyes stung, then I let out an uneasy breath. I still couldn't believe this was happening to me, that after spending seven years in the cold prison, fighting for my life, and dreaming about him, I would meet him again, but this time… My Berlin didn't remember me.

I feel so lonely…

“Why are you standing there?! Didn't you hear me?! Are you showing disobedience now?!” Bianca’s yell sounded again and they snapped me back to my senses.

I didn't pay attention to her dirty words, it was like I didn't even hear her, instead, I began to move, my eyes fixed on that man who had finally stood up and was looking at me with confusion written on his face.

I knew what he might be thinking.

“Why was she strange? Why does she look at me with so much familiarity?”

But I don't care about that! I don't give a f**k if he suspected anything, I just wanted to be closer to him, to maybe… feel him.

I don't feel so content standing so far away, I wanted to be near him, to touch him and see if he was real, if he was alive.

Slowly, I began to walk towards him and as I looked into those eyes of his, everything blurred away, my mind went blank and the only thing that whispered in my brain was; “Touch him.. touch him…”

And I listened. The moment I stood very close to him, my tears which I had been holding fell rapidly. My lips trembled and my shoulders shook.

“You—” I choked in my words and then, I couldn't contain those longings anymore, my legs moved, they ran into his arms like they were waiting for this for a lifetime and indeed, they had.

“You’re here!!” The words came out in loud whispers as I finally wrapped my hands around the shocked Berlin’s waist and rested my head on his beating chest.

The air turned cold, and the room became silent after my action. I could feel his shock from the way his body went stiff in my arms, but still, I hugged him tighter.

“You’re back… I miss you…” The words found their way out and my eyes closed tightly and my tears soaked his chest.

He’s alive… I could feel his warmth that sipped into my body, so different from his cold lifeless body.

I wanted more.. I wanted to tell him how much I missed him, but the moment I parted my lips, I felt a strong tug—

“How dare you, b***h! Get away from my man!!”

Bianca’s roar sounded next and by the time I came back to my senses, I was moving uncontrollably, then…

“Bang!”

“Urggh…!”

The painful groan came out of my lips as I closed my eyes tightly. I felt my body tremble from the pain in my back and I knew it was either that I had gotten another bruise or the sharp edges of the table had reopened my previous wounds.

“Do you think you’re so grown that you could hug any man you see?! How could you be so shameless to hug a man I introduced to you as your stepdad?!”

Bianca’s admonishing yell sounded again and this time, the anger, the pain and everything came rushing to my head. I raised my head and threw a sharp glare her way and her body froze.

I could see his eyes widen in shock, but I never took my gaze away from her. My eyes spat out fire, hatred and coldness.

“You..How could you—You b***h!!” She suddenly hissed and looked at me like she wanted to kill me.

But I ignored her. I knew I had acted out of order and I'm glad she woke me up with this push. I swallowed hard, then tried to get up from the ground, but the pain shot through me and I hissed from the pain.

“Can you still stand up?”

My body froze when the calm and cold voice reached me. I snapped my head up and looked towards him only to meet his deep and confused eyes again.

“I’m… I…”

“She’s fine! Why aren't you standing up?! This is your stepdad!” Bianca interrupted impatiently, then as I stood, I watched her walk to stand next to Berlin just like she had done in my past life.

My fist clenched as I watched her intertwine her hands in his arm and my blood surged.

My eyes glared at those hands of hers and I wished I could break them off. I wish Berlin could tell her to let him go, but… he stood there as if it was supposed to be like this.

My heart dropped in my stomach.

“Well, let me introduce you both again in case you don't understand. Berlin, this is Lily, my daughter, and Lily…” She paused then turned to look at me coldly and continued,

“…This is your stepdad! We signed a marriage certificate!”

My brain went numb, my eyes stared straight at Berlin and I hoped he’d deny it even if I knew it was true.

“I don't agree with having a stepdad! He’s not my stepdad!”

I suddenly yelled out, shocking the room into silence.

“What?! How dare you?!” My mother yelled in anger after my words registered but I didn't look at her, I fixed my eyes on Berlin, and repeated myself while still staring into his eyes firmly!

“You can never be my stepdad!”

“Lily!! You slut—” Bianca's roar sounded loud in the room and the next thing I knew, she had rushed towards me with her hand raised in the air.

I closed my eyes and waited for the slap to hit me, but…

“Bianca, stop it!”