Rebirth: We Split Ways.. novel Chapter 9

Penelope didn't waste another second.

She made it very clear to Jason that he needed to leave.

He wasn't happy about it.

But she didn't care.

She figured if she ignored him long enough, he'd get the message and move on.

But no. The man lost his damn mind.

Next thing she knew, Jason dropped thousands of dollars on a massive fireworks show right outside her studio.

Then, as if that wasn't enough, he hired a fleet of drones to spell out a message in the sky.

Her assistant, Emily, stared up in awe.

"Boss, those drones… they're forming words! It says—"

"Penelope, I LOVE YOU."

"Oh my god. That's so romantic," Emily gasped.

Penelope sighed.

This kind of over-the-top nonsense?

Only teenage girls found it romantic.

Emily turned to her, confused.

"Boss, why do you look so… unfazed?"

Penelope barely lifted an eyebrow.

"Because, honestly? Fireworks and drones take zero effort."

"He's just throwing money at a problem, hoping it'll buy him love. It's pathetic."

Emily frowned. "Then… what does real effort look like?"

Right on cue, Dominic strolled in, carrying a thermos.

"Babe, I made you some homemade chicken soup. Try it."

Penelope chuckled, then turned to Emily.

"This. This is real effort."

Love isn't about how much money someone throws around.

It's about how much thought they put in.

Anyone with a fat wallet can order a fireworks show.

But standing in the kitchen for hours, carefully making a pot of soup?

That takes patience. That takes love.

Actions always speak louder than words.

And more than anything, real love comes from mutual understanding.

People assumed she wasn't good enough for Dominic , that marrying a billionaire meant she'd be looked down on.

They couldn't have been more wrong.

And because of that, she passed away two years earlier than before.

Penelope still remembered how kind she had been to her.

So, after talking to Dominic , Penelope decided to go to the hospital and pay her respects.

Dominic went to park the car while Penelope headed inside.

The moment she stepped in, she saw Jason, looking absolutely wrecked.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

He flinched.

Then his grief twisted into something ugly.

"If you hadn't gone chasing after money, my mom wouldn't have died so soon."

Penelope froze.

"…What the hell did you just say?"

"In our last life, you gave up everything to take care of her, and I never once thanked you."

"But in this life? You selfishly chose your own happiness, and now she's dead."

Penelope stared at him, stunned.

Then he snapped.

Before she could react, he lunged at her, hands tightening around her throat.

"IT'S YOUR FAULT! ALL YOUR FAULT!"