Rebirth: Love me Again

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Chapter

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The first time Daniel saw Eve, he was a little boy, small for his age and nervous around just about everyone—and everything, especially dogs.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

In reality, Daniel's father was incredibly wealthy, but as the son of a mistress, Daniel remained largely unknown.

Raised by his single mother, he never lacked for anything, thanks to the substantial monthly allowances his father quietly sent.

However, Daniel's mother was careful with money and chose to save most of it in his bank account, funneling it into trust funds and investments.

Her careful budgeting allowed her to build a successful business of her own, and the investments she made in Daniel's name grew significantly.

By now, they were earning well over a million each month, providing him with a steady financial foundation without the flashiness.

It was one of those hot summer days where the sidewalks shimmered with heat, and Daniel had been sent to the corner store by his mom.

On his way back, he took a shortcut through the park, clutching his little bag of groceries, when he heard barking.

A massive dog, easily three times his size (at least, that's how he remembered it), bounded toward him from across the park.

Panic surged through Daniel, rooting him to the spot. His hands froze, knuckles white as he gripped the grocery bag, his heart hammering as he tried to remember if running was the right or wrong thing to do.

And that's when she appeared.

Out of nowhere, Eve came jogging toward him, her ponytail swinging behind her as she approached. She wasn't even scared. She just planted herself in front of him, all three feet of her, standing between him and the dog with one hand raised, her voice firm as she said, "Go home, boy! Back to your owner."

The dog stopped in its tracks, tail tucking under as it scampered away. Then she turned to him, and for the first time, Daniel found himself staring into the warmest eyes he'd ever seen, framed by a smile that was as bright as the sun overhead.

"You okay?" she asked, dusting her hands off.

Daniel just nodded, his mouth opening and closing but no words coming out. All he knew was that this girl—brave, fearless, and impossibly kind—had saved him.

From that moment, he knew: he was hers. It was a feeling so sudden yet so certain, it stunned him. He was just a kid, but he knew he'd found someone special.

"Hey, Cole, wait up!" she suddenly called, dashing after a boy with white hair.

Daniel blinked, watching her run off. He didn't know her name then, and she certainly didn't know his.

Only later did he learn she was Eve Rosette, heiress of the Rosette Empire.

From the first day they met, she had been always in his mind. And from then on, Daniel started making changes.

It wasn't that he thought he was unworthy of her; he was just determined to be the best he could be in her eyes.

He'd been a shy, awkward kid, usually the target of jokes because of his timidness and his "coconut" haircut his mom insisted on giving him. But after that day, he decided he'd make a change. For her.

First came the dog phobia. He couldn't believe it at the time, but he forced himself to confront it bit by bit.

His first step was reading about dogs—learning about their behavior, how to approach them, how to interpret their body language.

Then, he started volunteering at the local animal shelter. At first, he stayed behind the counter, handling paperwork or cleaning the pens, where he could avoid direct contact.

But with each day, he grew bolder. He'd watch other volunteers handle the dogs, and eventually, he found himself reaching out to pet one. Soon enough, he was helping walk them, feed them, and care for them.

Through his time at the shelter, Daniel learned more than just how to handle dogs. He learned patience, empathy, and confidence—all qualities he hoped would make him more like the kind of person he imagined Eve would admire.

His confidence grew, and he felt a newfound respect for these animals that he once feared. He even found himself enjoying their company, laughing at their antics and feeling fulfilled every time he could calm a nervous dog or help an abandoned one find a new home.

Through the years, Daniel remained quietly in the background, always a step behind Eve, watching over her in silence.

Whenever she walked down the hallway or laughed over her phone, his gaze would drift her way, as if drawn by some invisible pull.

She was always lively, always vibrant, yet too caught up in her world to notice him—a quiet observer who couldn't seem to step forward.

In those early days, it had hurt a bit. No matter how many times he glanced her way, she only had eyes for Cole. Her laughter, her smile, the way she talked about him with that uncontainable spark—Daniel saw it all, admiring her from a distance while never crossing the invisible line he'd drawn around himself.

He didn't know how often he held back, or how many times he wanted to offer her his hand instead. And yet, every time he decided to step forward, he'd see her glancing after Cole, and he'd fall back, letting her chase her dreams.

But over time, the ache softened. It became less about what he wished for himself and more about her happiness. He became her unseen support—keeping an eye on her when she looked upset, cheering quietly when she achieved something.

Occasionally, he'd even help in little ways she'd never know about, like holding a door a second longer or picking up something she'd left behind without a word.

In some way, he was happy. For Daniel, watching over her was its own kind of love. He wasn't waiting for her to notice him; he was simply grateful to be close enough to know her, to witness the joy and energy she brought wherever she went.

And though she might never know how much he cared, the quiet warmth he felt in those moments was enough—for now.