Rebirth Into My Second Chance

To them, my parents' lives were dirt cheap. My existence was initially a threat to them, then something to plug the media's mouth with.

"So, you still want me to help Claude?" I wanted to see how far the Hart family would go to use me.

"Could you please beg the Hilton family for us?" The pleading in Gabrielle's eyes was almost comical.

I scoffed, "Mrs. Hart, aren't you confused? You're the daughter of the Hilton family, not me. What am I to the Hilton family?"

The Hilton family wouldn't even acknowledge my parents as their own.

"Claude told you the truth last night, and the Hilton family believes he's unworthy of their backing, so they crushed him and destroyed everything he had."

I stood up, and my laugh was uglier than tears. From start to finish, Gabrielle didn't care about how Claude humiliated me the previous night, nor did she inquire about what Kate did to me. Instead, she kept shifting the blame to the Hilton family, urging me to plead with them.

I asked, "What am I supposed to beg the Hilton family for?"

they'll surely spare him." Gabrielle also stood up, but her emotions got the better of her, causing her to cough violently, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief, coughing up blood before continuing, "I don't have much time left. I can give up everything, but Claude is my life. Claire, please help me. And I know Claude cares for you. He's with Kate to reach a higher status and spite the Hilton family. You're the one who truly

trying to guilt-trip me. Yet, my parents died because they were too kind, trying to save Claude, not because of some nefarious plot. Alan found it shameful his daughter married someone from

was to

much of my parents' kindness,'

down. "Mrs. Hart, I'm sorry, but I can't

I did know someone from the Hilton family, I would keep my distance. Or perhaps, once I retrieve my parents'

should blame the Hilton family's overwhelming power,

protect me, and my foster mother passed away from the shock. I, too, have died once

Gabrielle tried to say

my

died trying to save Claude! Even if the Hilton family's power caused this, I won't help you

ashes were in Alan's possession. How could a nobody like me retrieve