She slowly opened her eyes , her consciousness dragging itself back to reality like something pulling at her . She lay in a hospital room , a man standing by her bed . His suit was immaculate , his features sharp , yet his gaze softened as it rested on her face . " Awake ? " he said . She parted dry lips , her throat scratchy . " Where is this ? " " Don't rush . Temporary memory confusion is common upon waking . " She stared at him , bewildered . " Who are you ? " " Sean , " he smiled . " Rebirth Cycle . " At those words , she bolted upright , frantically examining herself . Not a spectral form . Not intangible . Not her familiar sickly body . Her fingers felt strong and full , skin smooth and unblemished . No IV lines , no hospital gown , no markings linking her to Sunset Care Center . The reflection in the mirror wasn't her . She lunged for the bedside mirror , staring at the face . Similar features , but younger - no fine lines at the eyes , sharper contours . As if she'd rewound to before twenty - six . " Who is this ? " Her throat tightened . " Your new body , " Sean stated calmly . " Three years later . Sophieleila . Twenty - seven . Healthy . Free . Legally recog- nized . " " What about … my original self ? " " Cremated . Today marks your third death anniversary . " Emerie's head spun . " But this is Rebirth Cycle ? " " You fulfilled your fixation . " He nodded . 0.0 % 00:06 Chapter 13 288 Vouchers " Meaning the mission concluded . The system judged you worthy of continued existence . Hence , your rebirth . " " What does that mean ? " " Simply put , you didn't fade . You've been granted a new identity . This body was near death , system - repaired , now yours to inhabit . " She froze . " I'm … alive ? " " In a manner of speaking . " " Can I see him ? " Sean didn't answer immediately . Instead , he handed her an Initial Media Corporation assistant probationary offer . Name : Sophieleila . She looked up , voice trembling . " You arranged this ? " " You may approach him , " Sean said slowly . " But you cannot reveal who you were . " " Start anew . With this name . This identity . " " You get one chance to re - enter his life . He must recognize you himself . " Her knuckles whitened on the paper . " Will he know me ? " " That's for you to discover . " " Do you recall your fixation ? Your final wish ? " Tears welled in her eyes . " I wanted to see him … one last time . " " Now you can . " Sean's voice softened . " The rest … is up to you . " He turned , footsteps whispering against the hospital floor . Emerie sat on the bed , staring at the job offer . Three years . She'd been gone three years . Yet he'd remained . Now she'd step back into his life - as Sophieleila . A pity she couldn't tell him : I'm the one you waited for . The one you wept over for three years . 51.7 % 00:06 Chapter 14 Chapter 14