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?"

by him, especially something as significant as a house,

His silence spoke volumes.

his car, Kate emerged, greeting me with

breakfast in her hand, I turned away and said, "I

a home-cooked meal, Claire. What's got you down, moving out all

for my arm in a comforting gesture, which I

me to the brink, now pretending to care, left

I need to stop living off the Hart

isn't worried about the

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

en

Kate can

in, and K make it every day,"

Claudy?" I

waiting on Mrs. Hart's blessing," Kate replied, her voice a mix of hope and hesitation. I wished her well with a smile,

en