Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I sensed something off about Claude lately, but I knew better than to let my guard down around him.

As I was about to close my door, I caught sight of Dr. Hilton across the hall, his door wide open, eyes fixed on me. It was almost certain he'd seen Claude leave my place. With his lips pursed, I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, especially since he'd met her

earlier

today.

He must have recognized Claude.

Feeling awkward yet compelled, I grabbed a bottle of milk my brother had dropped off earlier and walked over to him. "This is from my brother," I said, handing him the milk without waiting for a response and leaving it at his doorstep.

Then, remembering Ronald, I dashed back to fetch another bottle. "This one's for Mr. Collins," I mused, feeling a sense of warmth towards both men. Without their presence in my life, my untimely demise would've likely remained a mystery.

No sooner had I placed the second bottle down when a summer breeze slammed my door shut behind me.

And, of course, I was locked out.

Biting my lip in frustration, I turned to Max. "Could you lend me your phone? I need to call a locksmith."

"I don't have a locksmith's number. Try Ronald," he suggested, barely concealing the smirk on his face.

openness about their lives made them all the more appealing, especially since both were

Ronald, his tone firm yet casual,

there was a different kind of affection between them, which made me suppress a

saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Is this from the

caught me off guard. The milk bottle was plain, devoid of any branding. How he

chose not to elaborate, simply leading the way with the milk to his fridge, which, to

delivering gifts to Max? And here I was,

my few bottles seemed

two

stiff smile, not

another life, my fondness for milk had led me down a complicated path with Claude, a mistake I wasn't keen

Max didn't press further, leaving

arrived, his annoyance

of dragging me

when he saw me sitting calmly on the sofa, a silent greeting exchanged between

and me, confusion written

I didn't expect

"Shut it,"

snapped, making

pay