The Rebirth of a soul : Redemption Story ( eng ver )

On the way home, Serena and Ren remained silent. Not a single word had been exchanged since they left the hospital. The silence inside the car hung heavily, like overcast clouds refusing to burst. Serena turned her face toward the window, holding back the lingering frustration from her last conversation with her mother.

To her, Elena's decision to ask Darian to stay at the hospital instead of her felt like a slap in the face.

How could her own mother trust her boyfriend more than her own daughter?

"Feels like I've been benched in favor of the Professor,"

Serena murmured, exhaling a deep breath that fogged up the window glass.

"You're wrong,"

Ren said suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

Serena turned to look at him, noticing the serious expression on his face as he drove. He glanced at her briefly, then returned his focus to the quiet nighttime road.

"Your mom was just afraid you'd wear yourself out. That's why she told you to go home,"

Ren continued.

Serena frowned, not fully grasping his meaning.

"She knows you have a lot of responsibilities outside of academia. She knows the kind of person you are—someone who pushes herself too hard. If you stayed at the hospital while juggling all your duties, you'd collapse. She didn't choose him over you. She just wants you to stay healthy. She cares about you."

Ren explained with a gentle but firm voice.

Still, Serena couldn't fully accept her mother's decision.

"Still… Mom chose Prof. Darian over me,"

she protested quietly, her tone full of disappointment.

Ren gave a slight smile.

"Have you always competed with him for your mother's attention?"

he asked, genuinely curious.

Serena paused. The question opened an old, dusty door in her mind. She recalled moments when Darian's presence always seemed to compete with hers for their mother's affection.

"Uh... I think I have. I'm only realizing it now,"

she muttered, almost surprised at her own realization.

Ren chuckled.

"He act like that at campus too?"

Serena gave a small smile, the atmosphere finally easing.

"Not at all! On campus, he's just like any other professor—dignified, calm, and super popular. A lot of people admire him because he's still single and, well, handsome. Even the female lecturers like him. But when he gets angry… he can be intimidating. That's what I've heard. I've never actually taken his class."

"And you?"

Ren tried to tease, but stopped midway.

Serena raised an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you finish that?"

Ren shook his head. "It's nothing."

Serena grinned. "Don't let your thoughts wander, Ren."

He chuckled lightly.

"Yeah, sorry. I was imagining things."

Silence returned once more. Only the sound of the engine and the faint ticking of the digital clock filled the space. Ren occasionally glanced at Serena, trying to read her mood, while Serena was lost in her thoughts.

When they reached a junction, Ren asked,

"Dorm or home?"

"Home," Serena answered quickly.

Ren nodded, and when the light turned green, he drove straight to Elena's apartment.

Once they arrived in front of the building, Serena didn't open the car door right away.

"Ren," she called softly.

"Yeah?"

"We need to talk."

Ren looked at her seriously and nodded without asking further. They entered Elena's apartment, now feeling empty, quiet, and cold. Serena asked Ren to sit on the sofa, then went to the kitchen to make warm tea.

A few moments later, she returned with two cups and placed one in front of him.

"Thanks," Ren said, accepting the cup with his warm hands.

Serena sat across from him, looking directly into his eyes.

"How much do you know about the Shine family?"

she asked in a low but sharp tone.

"Not much different from what you know," Ren replied without hesitation.

Serena narrowed her eyes.

"Then how did you know Tom Hard was going to do something?"

Ren set his cup down and leaned back on the sofa.

"Actually, I didn't know for sure. But I do know one thing—people like Tom don't stop until they get what they want. In the business world, taking down opponents isn't new. So I trusted my instincts, as I always do. That's why I had bodyguards protect your mom—without telling anyone."

Serena was silent.

In her heart, she was deeply grateful. If Ren hadn't acted so quickly, last night could've ended much worse. Her mother might not have survived, and the regret would've haunted Serena forever.

Ren watched Serena, noticing her furrowed brow and clenched fists as if she were holding back something heavy.

"What are you planning to do about Tom Hard?"

Ren asked softly, trying to divert her thoughts from whatever was tormenting her.

"Of course, I'll make him pay for everything he's done,"

Serena answered with a cold, hate-laced tone.

"You know he's not the mastermind, right?"

"I know. But if I say Lydia is the brains behind it, both she and Tom will deny it. Rather than let them both get away, I'd rather take out Lydia's right hand first. That'll make her think twice before touching my mom again."

Ren watched her carefully, then asked in a quiet voice,

"Serena... how did you know Tom was going to hurt your mom?"

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