Rebirth: Love me Again

Before, the sight of Eve—perfect, poised, and so close to Cole—had ignited a reckless fire within Sophie. She couldn't resist.

On impulse, Sophie brushed against Eve, her hand quick and practiced, and administered a small dose of the drug. The moment was fleeting, almost imperceptible, as Sophie ushered Eve along with a feigned expression of concern.

Now, doubt gnawed at the edges of her excitement. Was it enough? The moment had been so brief. Too brief.

She had wanted Eve to humiliate herself once the drug took effect. But now, doubt gnawed at her—had she even managed to inject even a small amount into her?

However, the worry dissolved almost as quickly as it appeared, swept away by her growing anticipation.

She hurried toward the designated room, her steps quick and eager, almost bouncing with each stride. Her mind painted vivid pictures of what awaited her inside—Cole, alone, waiting just for her.

This is it. He finally sees me. He finally understands that I'm the one for him.

The door loomed ahead, guarded by her fantasies and the reality she hoped to shape. She paused for a moment, smoothing down her dress and steadying her breath. Her fingers brushed against her chest, feeling the faint outline of the syringe. It was still there, her key to everything.

When the door opened, she stepped inside, her face alight with a mixture of eagerness and nervous excitement. She couldn't help herself—her dreams were about to collide with reality, and nothing, not even Eve, could stand in her way now.

Sophie hesitated as her heels clacked against the polished floor, her steps faltering when she reached the top of a narrow staircase. The faint hum of machinery vibrated through the soles of her feet, and the air was thick with the scent of oil and saltwater.

"What? What is this room?"

She peered down into the dimly lit stairwell, the shadows swallowing the steps as they spiraled toward what seemed like an endless descent. Find your next read on empire

A chill swept over her, making her fingers twitch. This wasn't the luxurious part of the yacht—this was something else. The faint grinding of gears and the rhythmic churn of the engines below created an unsettling rhythm, like a heartbeat in the dark.

"Cole?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly as it echoed against the metallic walls.

Silence.

Then, a shuffling sound, faint but deliberate. She turned her head sharply, her breath catching in her throat. The air seemed to still, the hum of the engines drowned out by the pounding of her heart.

"Cole?" she called again, more insistent this time.

Before she could react, a sudden, forceful shove sent her stumbling forward. Her arms flailed in a desperate attempt to grab the railing, but it was too late. The edge of the first step caught her foot, and she tumbled down, her body twisting and colliding with the unforgiving metal stairs. Pain blossomed in sharp bursts as her world blurred and tilted.

A voice echoed behind her, low and mocking, each word dripping with cold amusement.

"Now you've really fallen down the stairs—just like you wished."

The words hung in the air like a death knell. She tried to lift her head, to respond, but darkness rushed in, pulling her under. The last thing she heard was the distant hum of the yacht's engines, now sounding like a cruel, mechanical laughter.

Then there was silence.

=== 🤍 ===

[EVE]

The hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the chlorine from the pool. I lathered soap over my arms, scrubbing with firm strokes to rid myself of the lingering scent.

As I rinsed off, an itch flared on my upper arm, sharp enough to draw my attention.

Frowning, I glanced down. A small, reddish mark dotted my skin, barely visible but unmistakable, like the faint imprint left by a needle. The area around it was slightly inflamed, spreading in uneven patches of angry pink.

"What is this?" I muttered under my breath, pressing it gingerly with my fingers. It didn't hurt exactly, but it itched persistently, like the bite of some unknown insect. I pinched the area, hoping the sensation would fade, then lathered more soap over it and rinsed.

At first, I thought nothing of it. But as I stood under the steady stream of water, a strange warmth radiated from the mark, spreading outward in waves. The heat prickled my skin, growing hotter by the second, and I blinked hard, trying to steady myself.

The feeling wasn't normal. My body grew sluggish, heavy. My limbs tingled, a faint ache settling into my muscles, and my head felt light, as though I'd had one too many drinks.

"Shit," I muttered, leaning against the tiled wall for support. "What kind of pool water was that?"

I turned the faucet, blasting myself with cold water in hopes of shaking off the feverish sensation, but it only made the ache sharper, more acute. My skin was hypersensitive, the cold biting against my overheated body in a way that felt almost unbearable.

"What's going on?" I whispered, my voice trembling. Panic clawed at the edges of my mind. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel hastily around myself. My breath came shallow and uneven as I stumbled into the adjoining bedroom. My heart sank when I saw Cole standing there, his broad frame silhouetted against the dim light of the room, a dress in his hand.

His eyes snapped to me, and I caught the flicker of surprise in his expression. His usual composed demeanor faltered for a moment as his gaze swept over me, lingering on my barely covered form. His jaw tightened, and I saw the unmistakable bob of his Adam's apple as he swallowed hard.

I should have felt mortified—embarrassed to be seen like this. I should have shouted at him to leave, to give me privacy. But instead, an inexplicable haze clouded my mind, dulling my reason.