Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Just head to the detective bureau to find Ronald," he suggested first, breaking the awkward silence.

Scratching my head in embarrassment, I mumbled, "No, not looking for him."

Without another word, he went downstairs to fetch his car from the basement, while I took the elevator up to the ground floor, stepping out just before him.

But as soon as I reached the lobby, my eyes caught sight of Claude's car parked right outside our apartment block.

Instinctively, I spun around, trying to shield my face, hoping not to be recognized.

But hearing his quick footsteps coming up behind me sent a wave of panic through me. How did he know I was here?

"So, this is you 'heading back to school"?" The tone of accusation couldn't be missed.

Perhaps because my feelings were a mix of disdain and a fear rooted in past experiences, my voice trembled slightly, "I... I moved out because the dorms were just unbearable, so I found a place off-campus..." I hesitated, unsure whether to say I rented or bought the place.

"You could have mentioned you were looking to buy a place," he interjected.

Swallowing hard, I mustered the courage to ask, "And if I did, you'd buy it for me?"

always dismissed by him, especially something as significant as a house, it was

His silence spoke volumes.

his car, Kate emerged, greeting me with a warm smile, "Morning,

hand, I turned away and

Claire. What's got

for my arm in a comforting gesture,

brink, now pretending to care, left me feeling

grown now; I need to stop living off the Hart family's

about the expense," she

he pushed it into my hands, "Kate got up early to

en

enjoys it, maybe Kate can deliver

in, and K make it every day," Kate offered, though

with Claudy?" I

Kate replied, her voice a mix of hope and hesitation. I wished her well with a smile, "Then

en