Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter and Phoebe) novel Chapter 459

Stepping out of the basement, my back felt like it had aged a decade overnight.

I shot Colin a glare over my shoulder, and he couldnously looked away, muttering, "Phoebe, that mattress was a disaster. Told Eric to dump it."

"I ought to dump you," I grumbled through clenched teeth.

But Colin was quick to grab my hand, a playful seriousness in his tone. "No can do, darling. We're signed, sealed, and delivered. No returns, no exchanges."

I glanced down at Colin's hand enveloping mine but didn't pull away as we stepped out into the open.

And into the rain, which had started without our notice, cocooned as we were in our underground hideaway.

I've always had a thing for spaces that cut you off from the world, granting a kind of security I rarely felt elsewhere. No concept of day or night, rain or shine - just a timeless bubble.

"Phoebe!" Dexter's voice cut through the patter of rain as he rushed over, soaked to the skin. "You alright?"

"What, hoping for a spectacle?" I stood there, letting the rain drench me, while Colin held an umbrella over my head.

Dexter, looking every bit the tragic figure in the rain, said with regret, "I'm here to apologize... on behalf of Melody."

I scoffed, "And what gives you the right to speak for Melody?"

"Phoebe, why do you always twist my words? I... I just couldn't keep an eye on her, and she almost hurt you. I'm sorry." Dexter's eyes were filled with remorse.

I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the umbrella Colin was holding. He always angled it more towards me, protecting me from the rain. Dexter, on the other hand, never once offered me such shelter. He even went as far as to tear my umbrellas during storms, knowing full well my fear of thunderstorms. A warped way to punish me for some childhood slight.

Late affection is worthless, a truth I had come to accept.