Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Claude's hands trembled as he recalled the call from the police the day before, informing him of a severed finger wearing a wedding ring. The sight of his shaking hand holding the phone was unnerving. Before he could explain himself, the officer on the line cut in, "Mr. Hart? I apologize, but the finger we found yesterday wasn't Ms. Floyd's. Another family has claimed it."

Claude's face, which had been ghostly pale, slowly started to regain some color.

He sighed deeply, glancing at my portrait on his nightstand, muttering, "Claire, stop playing games."

With a flick, he pressed down on the photo of us smiling happily, my arms around his neck.

Ready to go, he struggled with his tie, a task that used to be mine. I'd pick out his clothes, tie his tie, and he'd kiss my forehead, calling me his clever girl. But everything changed after Kate arrived. I was no longer his clever girl. I became the calculating one. Claude didn't go to work, nor did he wear his tie. Stepping out, he ran into Kate.

"Claude, why no tie today? Your assistant mentioned an important international case," she said, pulling a silk scarf from her Hermes bag. "No tie today might be for the best. Foreigners tend to be more stylish. How about trying a scarf knot instead?"

She stepped closer, but for the first time, Claude stepped back. "The perfume on the scarf smells nice. It suits you, but I'll pass."

I remembered how Claude was particularly sensitive to perfume. When we were together, he bought me everything except perfume. Once, I tried a fragrance Richard brought from abroad, and he threw it away. It was all about who the gesture was for. To Claude, Kate's perfume was pleasant and fitting. For me, it warranted a scowl and a trash can.

"Claude, I'll go with you to the law firm today and get to know everyone," Kate suggested.

not going to the law

that, he drove away, leaving me to wonder where he was going. To my surprise, he went to the site of the accident that took me away. Police tape still cordoned off the area because Richard had re-reported my disappearance,

Ronald Collins greeted him. They'd spoken on the phone

on Claire's missing, reported 72 hours ago. He asked

they found it near the burnt house, but the severed

he searched the

a token I never removed Despite the high temperatures, the quality gem wouldn't burn. At worst, it would degrade.

jewelry, a futile effort. Kate approached. "Claude, what are

"Claire Floyd had a bracelet, a keepsake from her parents. I went to check the burned house and the ruins today, box didn't find

panicked, but quickly regained her composure. "You went to the ruins to see if the the bracelet was there,

finding it is

slightly.

on the edge of the bed,

house belonged to Claire, and

annoyed, interrupted her, "Just throw it all out if you don't like