Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I followed behind them, feeling defeated, as we made our way back home.

When we arrived, the sky, which was bright moments ago, unleashed a thunderous roar. They say April showers bring May flowers, but June? June's as fickle as a lover's promise.

Out of nowhere, it started hailing, pelting the car windows with icy fury.

"Damn, hail now?" the friends cursed under their breath.

I couldn't help but laugh. My luck was worse than a cursed protagonist in a folk tale.

But Claude was too busy ensuring Kate wasn't hurt, soothing her worries. Being loved by him must feel like a dream.

I remember once I cooked fish on a whim. Just as Claude and Kate dropped by, I offered Kate a taste. But she instantly reacted to an allergy, her throat swelling up, and she couldn't breathe. We rushed her to the hospital. Claude forced me to kneel outside the operating room.

I resisted, but he spat, "Claire, apologize. You're getting off easy. It is manslaughter. I could have you locked up in a heartbeat."

Tears rolled down as I insisted on my innocence. But Claude was seeing red. His buddies pinned me down, forcing me to bow until my forehead bled, with doctors and nurses eventually stepping in to pull me away. Even till this moment, the memory throbbed.

Back then, despite my timidity, such humiliation was a heavy blow to my pride. I went home and threatened to jump off the roof. I thought dying was better than living in disgrace.

begged me. "If you die, how can I face your parents? If anyone should die, let it be

she crawled over and pulled me back from the edge. I didn't dare to end

said in tears, "Claire, sweetie. If you feel wronged, talk to me. I'll make Claude apologize to you. How did it come to this between you

back, I should have divorced Claude and stepped aside for Kate. That might have spared

but with a storm in his eyes, he pointed at the balcony

speak to Claire that way," Fighting back, Gabrielle tried

with it. Just like this moment, he

down,

he thought my love, or the love of one so cherished,

en

why I was ever such a fool for

hail snapped me back to

Claude's phone rang.

Swn?

my dream, Claire was pregnant, trapped in a fire, screaming

glanced at the clock, showing nine in