Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I woke up with the crack of dawn, buzzing with excitement. Max had mentioned a surgery for me to observe, and I knew these chances were few and far between.

As usual, I grabbed a piece of toast, barely giving the milk in the fridge a second glance. It had been days; it was definitely past its prime.

Just as I was about to take the milk downstairs to the trash, I bumped into Max stepping out of his apartment. The last thing I wanted was for him to see the expired milk - especially since it was a gift from him. I feared it might seem disrespectful, risking a poor evaluation at work or during our practical exams.

But his sharp eyes caught sight of it anyway. "It's gone bad. Get a new one," he said, his words always sparing but his actions generous, handing me a fresh bottle.

The sight of the new milk bottle puzzled me even more. If he wasn't part of the Hilton family, how did he always have a fresh supply?

"And did Claude give you this milk again?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued.

He coughed lightly. "Hmm," was his delayed reply.

I put on a weak smile. He could lie without a flinch.

"Because Claude claims he doesn't know a Max."

Another cough escaped him. "Used a pseudonym for Mr. Hart's business," he confessed, hardly making eye contact.

in first, hitting the button for the basement, while

I didn't

out of the elevator, his parting words were, "Have

milk bottle at him, a silent acknowledgement, and headed for the bus stop, leaving the luxury of an

milk bottle to an elderly man begging nearby, then boarded the

my feelings about Claude and Kate, was just a

the bus. I hope he didn't

the hospital,

him in the operating room where he was

his voice

looks from the nurses made me even more nervous; this was my

Thankfully had reviewed the

and images Max

a rough understanding of

all. Now I understood why he insisted I

faint and sweating bullets, I realized the single piece of