Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Dr. Hilton..." With no other choice, I climbed out of the car, under the watchful eyes of Claude and Kate, and took the passenger seat.

Claude looked lost in thought, a trace of displeasure flickering across his face.

As I hastily moved to the passenger side, Max said, "I never told you my name."

That caught me off-guard.

Rubbing my head, I remained silent.

Max didn't press further.

"Just drop me off nearby, I can walk to school from there," I suggested, thinking it would be a good opportunity to ask my advisor about an internship. Without much ado, Max actually pulled over and let me out.

Watching his car drive away without hesitation, I breathed a sigh of relief, wondering how I was going to explain knowing his name.

Lost in thought, I approached the school gates.

There was Claude, standing at the entrance once again, but this time, Kate wasn't by his side.

I couldn't believe how often he'd appeared in my life just from last night to now, seeking me out personally for the third time.

He spotted me, his long legs carrying him quickly in my direction, and without a word, he pulled me into his car.

"Claude, what are you doing?"

every nerve in my body

My mom wants to meet

silenced me, "You want your parents' ashes, don't you? Well, mess up

by this low blow from Claude, using what I cared

me my parents'

him. He scoffed, "A deadline? Claire Floyd, since when did you start making demands? Because

was referring to

me riding with Max

none of your business. You should give me my parents' ashes by right. I don't owe you; if

had never spoken to him like

on the brakes

"Get out."

was unpredictable, but the moment he demanded

"Find out everything. And make sure she doesn't

was he

since he's a

But what spot?

regretfully informed me, "You've

to make sure I

fists but

seemed apologetic as he handed