Her Rebirth.-Chapter 88

The scent of stale coffee and paper filled the air as Amelia sat in the worn-out chair opposite the officer’s desk. She had been called in following the report Lilac made days ago, the incident with the man who tried to attack her with acid.

Detective Jae, a sharp-eyed man in his late forties, flipped through the file in front of him, then looked up at her.

"Miss Cosgrove," he began, "we’ve closed the case you were involved in... the attempted acid attack."

Amelia tilted her head slightly, calm but alert. "That was quick."

"Yes, because the suspect, Davis Lee, was found dead. In his apartment." The detective’s mouth twisted in something that might have been discomfort. "The condition of the body was... unusually brutal."

Amelia’s brow lifted, quite surprised by the turn of events. "Go on."

He leaned forward, folding his hands over the file. "When we found him, he was already decomposing. The neighbors reported a foul stench after several days. His body was discovered sprawled in his living room. Face beaten beyond recognition, it was swollen and crushed. His jaw was shattered. But that wasn’t the worst part."

Amelia’s eyes remained unreadable, her posture still.

"He was forced to drink acid," Jae continued flatly. "It was poured directly into his mouth. Forensics confirmed traces of hydrochloric acid in his stomach and lungs. Whoever did it made sure he suffered."

There was a long pause.

"Maggots had already begun feeding on the body by the time we got there," he added, almost as an afterthought. "The smell was horrific. We’re still waiting on full toxicology, but the preliminary report is clear. It wasn’t suicide."

"And no suspects?" Amelia asked quietly.

"No," Jae said, watching her carefully. "No witnesses. No fingerprints. No surveillance. Whoever did this knew how to cover their tracks."

"I wanted to ask if you know of anyone who might have done this to him. Anyone who would... retaliate in such a way on your behalf?"

Amelia’s fingers clenched in her lap, then slowly relaxed.

She did have one in her mind.

"No," she said quietly. "I wouldn’t know."

Kai.

Detective Jae looked at her intently, as if trying to gauge her expression, but didn’t press further.

"We’re still investigating. But if you remember anything, or if anyone approaches you about it, contact us immediately."

Amelia nodded politely, stood, and offered a professional smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "Thank you for the update."

---

Amelia unlocked the front door slowly, her thoughts still muddled with everything she’d heard at the police station. The images that the detective had painted, the acid, maggots, a mutilated corpse, the way the detective looked at her, everything replayed in a loop in her mind.

There was only one person who could’ve done something like that.

And he was waiting inside, looking at her with that familiar warm smile.

"Welcome home, butterfly," Kai said softly, walking toward her. "How was work?"

"Fine," she answered, brushing her hair back as she took off her shoes. "A little exhausting."

He moved to her, his hands slipping around her shoulders, gently massaging them. "I bet. Want something to drink?"

"I stopped by the police station," she said, almost absently.

Kai paused, the rhythm of his hands slowing just slightly. "Oh?" he said casually. "And how did that go?"

"They found the man who tried to throw acid at me," she replied. "He’s dead."

Kai blinked. "Oh?"

"They said he was forced to drink it," she said slowly. "They found him already decomposing. His mouth was mangled and his face smashed in."

Kai’s hands stopped, then he said softly, "Well... he deserved it, didn’t he? He wanted to ruin your pretty face."

The words sent a chill down her spine and her breath hitched slightly.

And in that moment, the memory of the time he’d burned her kidnappers alive, standing before the flames with an eerily calm smile, flashed through her mind.

She shivered.

"Amelia," he called, and her eyes blinked back into focus.

"Hm?"

"I called your name twice," he said, cocking his head.

She forced out a laugh. "Sorry. I was just thinking about food. I’m starving."

Kai chuckled, his eyes still on her. "Well then, what a coincidence. I was thinking we could go out tonight. Somewhere... fancy."

"Really?" she raised a brow, a small smile forming. "Where exactly are you planning to take us?"

He smirked. "It’s a surprise."

"I should go get ready then," she said with a playful look and turned toward the bedroom.

Inside, she stopped in her tracks, surprised, when her eyes landed on the dress laid out on the bed. A long, light blue gown with crushed gems glittering at the hem. It had a high slit, sleeveless with a bodice that was designed to hug the waist in perfection. A silver necklace lay beside it with a sapphire pendant, and matching dangling earrings.

Her fingers brushed the gown with a smile. "So pretty..." she murmured to herself.

After a long bath, she slipped into the gown, smoothing it down as she admired the way it kissed every curve. As she adjusted one of the earrings, the door creaked open, and Kai walked in.

He stopped in his tracks.

His eyes moved over her figure with reverence. "You look..." he exhaled, "...breathtaking."

Amelia’s cheeks flushed as she looked away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you," she said softly. His gaze felt too much. "Now go get dressed. We can’t both be late."

He chuckled and planted a kiss on her temple. "Alright, alright."

Amelia went downstairs where Poppy was lounging on the rug. She bent to scratch his ears. "Be good, okay? We won’t be long."

When she turned, Kai was descending the stairs in a navy-blue suit that fit him like it was stitched by the gods. White shirt open at the collar. His long black hair tied back in a low ponytail.

Amelia felt her breath stop. "Wow," she said. "You look really handsome."

His lips rose to a wide grin. "Thank you, butterfly."

Outside, he led her to the black Rolls Royce parked by the curb.

"Your company’s car?" she teased as he opened the door for her.

He paused, then grinned. "Sorry. I lied. It’s mine."

Her eyes widened as she settled into the seat. "Wait—what?"

Kai rounded the car and slipped into the driver’s seat.

She blinked at him. "How many things have you lied to me about, exactly?"

He glanced at her with a soft smile, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I’m sorry. Back then, we were basically strangers. I didn’t know how to be... honest with you. But from now on," he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers, "no more lies. Unless they’re necessary."

Amelia stared at their joined hands. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she looked at him thoughtfully, then gave a soft smile. "I understand. Back then, we were practically strangers, and I’m sure you had your reasons for doing so."

Kai looked ahead, the car engine rumbling quietly as he shifted gears.

"But we’re not strangers anymore," he said.

"No," she whispered. "We’re not."

---

Recommended Song: Rivers Flow in you by Yurima

The car rolled to a gentle stop, and Kai stepped out first, circling around to open Amelia’s door. She took his hand and stepped onto the stone path, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her.

It wasn’t a restaurant.

It was better.

A private garden terrace stretched out before her, nestled behind a secluded estate.

The garden terrace before her looked like something from a dream, candles floated gently in glass holders, their flames dancing softly in the twilight. White and red roses were tastefully woven into the vines that curled around the trellises, their scent subtle, delicate.

A soft breeze carried the sound of a piano. The music wasn’t classical or rigid, it felt like something sweet and ethereal.

In the center of it all, a single round table was set for two, with cinnamon-scented candles flickering softly between crystal glasses and silverware.

Amelia stared, stunned. "Kai... I thought we were going to a fancy restaurant."

Kai gave her a small smile, his eyes gleefully capturing her every expression as he offered his arm. "This is fancy. And there’s dinner. So it’s basically the same."

She chuckled softly, accepting his arm, but deep down, her heart was fluttering. Something about all this felt... telling. The care in every detail. The way he kept watching her like she was the only real thing in the world.

It felt like the world had folded in on itself, and only they existed now.

They dined quietly, filled with their usual teasing and low laughter, the kind of conversations only they could share. He poured her wine, brushed her hair behind her ear once when it slipped into her face. The candles made his features glow golden, and Amelia found herself watching him more than eating.

Dessert came and went, it was a shared plate of chocolate soufflé, and just as she set her fork down, Kai stood and held out a hand toward her.

"Dance with me?"

The soft piano still played in the background, and the fairy lights strung above made the night feel like a secret.

Amelia nodded, placing her hand in his.

His hand rested on her waist, and they swayed slowly under the stars. The world felt as if it had shrunk around them, no people, no distractions, just this pocket of warmth and him and the soft sounds of the piano.

Then, Kai leaned in. His lips brushed her ear as he whispered, "Do you know, Amelia, that ever since you came into my life, you made my mundane world filled with light?"

Amelia’s breath caught in her throat, and she felt herself trembling a bit. She pulled back just slightly to look at him, but before she could speak, Kai was already moving.

He took her hand. Pressed a kiss to her knuckles. And then he knelt before her.

The candlelight flickered across his face, revealing vulnerability, tenderness, and a hint of nervousness that made Amelia’s chest tighten.

He took out a velvet box and opened it. Inside, a platinum ring gleamed, with a red ruby nestled at the center, circled by small, perfect diamonds.

"My pretty Butterfly," he began, trying to keep his voice steady, "you’ve become the brightest part of my life. The part that makes everything else make sense. I don’t know what fate was thinking, binding us together through the engagement contract, but... I’ve never been more grateful for anything. If your grandfather hadn’t done that, I might never have known you and loved you. And losing you... I can’t even imagine it." He took a deep breath and looked at her with pleading eyes. "Amelia, will you marry me? Please."

Tears welled in Amelia’s eyes, her heart swelling until it ached. She clutched her hand to her chest, her lips trembling, but her smile was brighter than anything the candles or stars could offer.

Then, she simply whispered, "Yes."