Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Look, we can't go after Kate right now." Claude eased his grip, seeing my defensive stance, and said in a calm, almost soothing voice.

I laughed bitterly. "So, you're the bad guy in all this, aren't you? You always knew Kate was hurting me, didn't you?"

Living through this life for the second time, I finally saw Claude for who he truly was. For his business empire, he would go to any lengths.

'What am I even searching for in this life?' I wanted to uncover who was pulling Kate's strings, but even that person couldn't be as cruel as my husband, knowing fully well I was in harm's way and doing nothing to save me.

I offered, "Claude, give me my parents' ashes. Let's cut all ties. My family will have nothing to do with you from here on out!"

The only thing I wanted from the Hart family was my parents' ashes, to give them a proper resting place.

"No can do," Claude shot back firmly.

I looked at him. "Are you afraid of the backlash? Don't worry. I won't let anyone know how heartless and insane you've been."

Without another word, Claude grabbed my throat and pinned me against the wall. "I want the empire, and I want you."

His desperation was palpable as he suddenly tore at my clothes and bit my neck. "Who were you with that night at the hotel, huh?"

was cold, threatening. I froze, overwhelmed by

didn't want to resort to this, but you're making it hard. You should have been

you're disgusting. Let me

didn't stop. "I'll be engaged to Kate,

before. No wonder Claude wanted to keep me trapped, not allowing me to leave, because, with Kate, he could achieve his grand plans. And I was just

me tighter.

parents wouldn't want

rather forsake their ashes than

Whet

his head, fueled by

break

"Don't you want to

poured into my

a thorn in my heart, and I desperately wanted to know. But the only

was the Hilton family." Claude

leaned

father in the car accident, too: Their deaths, all

for two