Reborn at Eighteen The Billionaire's Second Chance novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“Or were you planning to use this as another opportunity to follow

me around?”

The words hit like a slap. In my previous life, they would have made

me cry, made me stammer apologies, made me promise to be useful

and quiet and grateful.

Now I just looked at him. Really looked at him.

Twenty–one years old. Devastatingly handsome. Cruel.

And so, so sure of his power over me.

“I won’t be going to Boston, Mr. Vane,” I said quietly.

The silence was deafening.

Julian’s eyebrows rose–the first crack in his perfect composure.

“Excuse me?”

“I have midterms next week. AP Calculus and AP US History. I need to

study.”

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Mr. Vane Senior frowned. “You can make up exams. This opportunity

“1

“With respect, sir,” I interrupted–something I’d never done before-“I

need to focus on my academics. I want a 4.0 GPA this semester. I want to get into a good college.” I paused, then added with deliberate calm:

“I don’t want to waste time on… meaningless distractions.”

The phrase landed like a grenade.

Julian’s eyes narrowed. “Meaningless distractions.”

“Yes.” I kept my voice steady. “I’ve wasted too much time already on things that don’t matter. I need to prioritize my future.”

For a long moment, he just stared at me. Then he laughed–a short,

humorless sound.

“Well. This is new.” He walked toward me, each step deliberate.. Stopped close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. “Let me guess, Elara. Yesterday you put another sticky note in my briefcase, didn’t you? Yesterday you waited in the garage with coffee you thought I’d like. Yesterday you saved fifteen more pictures

of me to your phone.”

Each word was a scalpel, cutting with surgical precision.

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“A year of this,” he continued. “A full year of you following me like a lost puppy. Showing up wherever I go. Staring at me during dinner. Asking my assistant about my schedule. And now, suddenly, you’re too busy studying?”

His voice dropped to something dangerous. “What game are you playing?”

In my previous life, I would have broken down. Apologized. Begged him to believe I wasn’t playing games, that I just loved him so much it

hurt.

Now I reached into my pocket and pulled out the compass necklace.

I stood–forcing him to step back or risk touching me–and walked to Mr. Vane Senior’s desk. Set the silver chain down on the polished

wood.

“You’re right,” I said quietly. “I did all those things. I stalked you, I

made you uncomfortable. I refused to accept that you wanted nothing to do with me.” I looked at Julian, holding his gaze. “I’m sorry. It was

wrong. It was… pathetic.”

His expression flickered–surprise? Confusion?

“I’m giving this back,” I continued, nodding at the necklace. “I

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misunderstood what it meant. I thought ‘home‘ was here. That I

belonged in this family. But I don’t. I never did.”

I turned back to Mr. Vane Senior. “Thank you for the opportunity to

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