After her rebirth by Cici

Chapter 3

Katniss gave a nod, kinda shocked that Maximilian even knew who she was. She'd only seen him a couple of times; he was Desmond's half-brother on their dad's side. Anything tied to Desmond always grabbed her attention. Word on the street was that Maximilian had been dealing with some chronic illness since he was a kid, but he had mad skills in business.

The Boleyn family's whole empire was basically in his hands, making him the top dog in the family. Even though he was the oldest son, for some weird reason, he didn't carry the Boleyn name.

Maximilian was drop-dead gorgeous, but those icy eyes of his gave off some serious bad vibes, making Katniss a bit uneasy.

At school, Katniss was always in the limelight, but not for any good reasons. It was all because she was head over heels for Desmond. In her past life, her heart beat only for him.

Desmond was the big man on campus. Handsome, charming, and talented, he had girls falling for him left and right, with Katniss being the most obsessed.

From the moment they met, Katniss was hooked on Desmond, chasing after him like a madwoman, just to get a little closer and feel his warmth.

"Desmond, I like you!" she once yelled in a crowd, getting all sorts of weird looks and laughs.

But Katniss didn't give a damn. Desmond was her whole world; nothing else mattered.

"Haha, look at Katniss, she's lost it!" people would gossip, pointing fingers.

faze Katniss. She kept stalking Desmond, obsessed with his every

you ever notice me?' she silently wondered, hoping for

obsession didn't get her anywhere. Desmond stayed out of reach, like he was

it anymore and spilled

a joke to him," he said, his words cutting

eyes, but she kept doing her thing, thinking her sincerity would win Desmond over. Even though she failed, she never forgot the rare kindness Maximilian

were a lifeline. She

her heart skip a beat. She glanced at Maximilian's

up in the Manners family drama that she didn't know when Maximilian died. When

looked at the water dispenser, then at Maximilian's wheelchair. She decided to pour him a cup of water and handed

coolly, "Don't bother trying to butter me

hum of the water heater and their breathing filling the space. Katniss felt a wave of emotion and decided to spill her guts

wasn't worth it. I'm done being someone else's doormat; I want my independence and self-respect back." Her voice was a

silence, his eyes showing some deep emotion. He seemed to be soaking in every word,

he didn't say a word, Katniss felt a newfound respect in his gaze, like a refreshing spring for her parched soul. She looked at him gratefully, finding a sense of peace and reliance in his eyes. Maximilian's eyes had a profound light. He seemed to see the fire and courage in Katniss's heart, and his impression of her quietly shifted. Soon

car, anxiously waiting for Clara to be discharged. Finally, the hospital doors swung open, and out walked a girl in

silently at the hospital entrance, watching the luxury car roll away, feeling a pang of helplessness and

felt like everyone had forgotten about her. She walked out