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.

lives made them all the more appealing, especially since both

firm yet

an outsider, it might have sounded like a command, but I could tell there was a different

flicker of recognition in his eyes. "Is this from

guard. The milk bottle was plain, devoid of any branding. How he identified

not to elaborate, simply leading the way with the milk to his fridge, which, to my surprise, was stocked with bottles from

Max? And here I was, thinking she was just being generous

stash, my few bottles seemed

he asked, placing two bottles in the microwave to warm

stiff smile, not

a complicated

didn't press further, leaving the

his annoyance palpable. "Seriously, couldn't you just

of dragging me

sitting calmly on the sofa, a

between Max and me, confusion

I didn't

"Shut it,"

snapped, making

instantly pay attention