Rewriting My Fate (Eliza) novel Chapter 14

Eliza turned her back on them, not giving the group a second glance. The Newell family and Aiden had come with one thing in mind: if Eliza didn’t forgive them, they’d stay put until she did. So, as they watched her walk away, they trailed behind her.

When Eliza got home, Polly, who’d been eagerly waiting, rushed out to meet her. “Hey there, sweetie! You're finally back! Your godfather whipped up your favorite ribs, and I got those cherries you love. We've all been waiting for you. Seriously, heading out to paint without bundling up? Aren’t you cold?

“Your brother’s been worried sick about you. If you hadn’t shown up, I swear he’d have scoured the whole island for you.”

Eliza smiled softly. Just as she was about to say something, a tall, strikingly handsome man stepped forward from behind her. “I’ve made it clear, no more calling me her brother. I never agreed to just being siblings with her.”

Eliza’s cheeks flushed at his words. Over the past few days, her godparents had showered her with affection, treating her like she was on top of the world—something she hadn’t felt in all her twenty years. Their son Dean, especially, had been incredibly kind to her. But she wasn’t naive; she could tell his kindness wasn’t the brotherly kind.

It was...

The kind of care a man shows a woman.

Dean seemed to sense the eyes on him. He glanced towards the door, giving a subtle warning look. He gently took Eliza’s hand, as if silently announcing his intentions to everyone. Eliza noticed Dean’s gesture, her face turning slightly red, but she didn’t pull away. She knew Dean was looking out for her, making sure she wouldn’t get hurt again.

The Newells and Aiden stood outside for three long days. But Eliza never came out to see them. After those three days, the Newells and Aiden were in rough shape—parched lips, eyes void of life. Thea, already frail, finally collapsed from the exhaustion and lack of sustenance. Greg, Evan, and Aiden panicked, rushing to her aid.

Inside, Eliza heard the commotion and felt a twinge of concern. Dean gave her hand a gentle squeeze, offering a reassuring smile as if to say, “With me here, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”