Rebirth: A Love Lost

While I had been with Lucian Harrison for five years, he married my stepsister, Gwen Stevens.

He said, "Nate Stevens, there's no future for us. Love between two men isn't widely accepted. By marrying Gwen, we'll always be family."

Later, we were in a car accident. He rushed towards Gwen like a maniac, carefully lifted her into the ambulance, and didn't even glance at me the entire time.

As for me, I suffered a brain hemorrhage and died on the spot.

When I opened my eyes again, I was reborn.

At that moment, Lucian had me pressed against the wall of the playground, his gaze deep, saying, "Nate Stevens, let's be together. Let's face all the rumors of the world together. I love..."

"Sorry, Lucian, I have someone I like, and it's not you," I said.

1

Lucian and I were high school classmates. I was the model student in everyone's eyes, excelling in both academics and character, while he was the troubled youth my mom always warned me to stay away from.

I was good at studying, liked to read quietly, minded my own business, and didn't talk much. Before my parents divorced, our family was relatively happy. That was until my father was seduced by another woman, and Gwen's mother brought her into our home, and my mom was kicked out.

Lucian was outspoken and bold. He couldn't stand things he didn't like, and he wasn't afraid to confront people or fight when he felt it was necessary. He was always at the bottom of the class academically, but he never worried about his future because he came from a wealthy family. He was the favorite child, spoiled and pampered all his life.

We originally had no interaction until Lucian's father personally asked our homeroom teacher to find a quiet and diligent student for him, hoping it might improve his studies.

In our class, I was the quietest and most determined student.

Thus, I became Lucian's deskmate.

Lucian said to me confidently, "Hey, we're deskmates, let's look out for each other. I won't study, but I won't disturb you either. We'll keep to our own business and not bother each other."

I nodded in agreement.

During that time, my parents were fighting the most about their divorce. My mom was constantly in tears, and her health was deteriorating from the stress. I was powerless. I wanted to study hard, get into a good university, and take her away from this city so she could be happy every day.

Later... I did get into a good university, but because of Lucian, my mom tried everything to force me to break up with him. I refused, and she called me a freak and cut ties with me. By the time I died, I hadn't seen her again.

I didn't know when Lucian started paying attention to me. Maybe it was because he saw me as pitiful, going to class on an empty stomach. He started helping me, sometimes bringing me a can of milk or a breakfast sandwich

He would say, "Our new maid made too much breakfast. Lucky for you."

Teenage boys were full of pride. I would rather skip breakfast than accept Lucian's charity. At that time, I saw it as him pitying me.

Lucian was so frustrated and had no choice but to propose that I tutor him for a fee. I repeatedly refused, but Lucian was persistent, and eventually, I had no choice but to agree.

After that, my breakfast was always warm.

Perhaps it was around that time that I developed a kind of vague, inexplicable affection for him. Even at the time of my death, I never thought love between two men was shameful.

Love was a powerful thing. It gave someone the courage to face anything, as long as the person was worth it.

But Lucian wasn't worth it.

The memories flashed before my eyes... I remembered Lucian's youthful enthusiasm, but also his coldness when he pushed me away, and his cowardice when he chose to retreat.

I was reborn.

It just so happened that the moment he confessed to me for the first time coincided with the party after our high school graduation party.

Lucian pulled me to the school playground. The summer night was filled with stars, and the sound of insects chirping filled the air. Everything felt so real.

"Nate, I'm talking to you." Lucian's handsome lips were pressed into a line, his emotions tense, saying, "Nate, let's be together. Let's face all the rumors of the world together. I love..."

"Sorry, Lucian, I have someone I like, and it's not you,"

I interrupted Lucian. Driven by youthful impulsiveness, he pulled me into the whirlwind of emotions, and in the end, I suffocated by it, drowning in the chaos alone.

And he, he withdrew decisively and cleanly.

In this life, I wouldn't be swayed by uncertain love. I wanted to live well and make up for what I once lacked.

"What, what did you say?" Lucian's eyes were full of disbelief, saying, "I don't believe it, I don't..."

2

I sneered and said, "Lucian, why would I like a man?"

Lucian's face turned pale as if he hadn't expected I would reject him. His lips trembled, saying, "We clearly... you were so good to me. You prepared water for me, medicine for my injuries, and explained problems to me. You..."

"You paid for it. I was just your part-time tutor, Lucian. I'm also a guy. Love between two men isn't widely accepted. I'll pretend today never happened. Take care of yourself," after saying that, I pushed Lucian away and left with large strides.

The night wind howled past my ears, echoing Lucian's once cold and indifferent words. He said, "Nate, what can I do? My parents threatened to kill themselves; Nate, I can't bear to see you love someone else; Nate, you can only love me in this life, but I must carry on the family line..."