Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I glanced at Kate, who was holding a bowl of chicken noodle soup, and didn't say a word.

As I turned to head upstairs to my room, she blocked my path at the foot of the stairs.

"Claire, you're back today. Are you staying for good?" She asked tentatively.

"No, I forgot the bracelet my parents gave me. I just came back to pick it up and thought I'd stay a few days."

My words seemed to relax her a bit, and I moved past her to continue upstairs.

But she was persistent and stepped in front of me again. "Claire, you can stay, but just remember your place and don't cross any lines."

I offered a faint smile.

Suddenly, I grabbed her hand holding the soup and, with a quick jerk, ended up splashing it all over myself.

"Ah-" I cried out in pain, as the soup was freshly made and burning hot.

"What happened?"

Claude rushed over like a knight in shining armor and helped me up from where I had fallen.

I deliberately hid my scalded, red hand behind my back.

Claudy, don't blame Kate. She was just trying to bring you the

dumbfounded, not

her pulling me

cut her off,

showed Claude my hand, now blistering from the

see the concern in his eyes, "I'll

to the couch and fetched a first-aid kit. As he was about to apply

didn't mean to scald you with the milk last time. It was just

Claudy, will this leave

I were to play a part, I'd make it fully

applied the ointment, he gave me a meaningful look,

have used this strategy and not ended

my lips, though tears

then Kate stopped me on the stairs, wanting to

innocent eyes, and Claude

She was speechless.

did Kate move in here?"

was taken aback as

at Kate, who awkwardly adjusted