Rebirth Into My Second Chance

He twisted the key in the lock of his apartment door and swung it open, a gesture of invitation. "Come in and take a seat. I've got something to show you."

He stepped into the apartment ahead of me, already reaching for something as I followed.

He handed me a folder and began, "The kids we're sending to the orphanage all have heart defects or some other challenge. As a doctor, I want to give them a second chance at life. What about you?"

Every time he spoke to me, it was as if he could see right through me, pinpointing my doubts and fears before prescribing the breakthrough.

I hesitated, "Max..."

Unlike him, my choice to pursue medicine wasn't born out of a noble dream. The allure of a potentially lucrative career drew me in, thinking it could be a safety net if Claude turned me away. Back then, doctors seemed like the wealthiest folks around. When I looked back, my dreams were all about Claude. That was funny.

"I have no dreams," I confessed with a foolish smile, looking up at him.

At that moment, he paused, probably thinking my naive grin was amusing, but not because he found me pretty.

not for anyone else. Live a life that's truly yours," he advised before turning away to lock

better version of myself. For years, my life revolved around Claude. A mere glance from him was enough

changed. I no longer cared about Claude. Kate got caught. What was there for me to live for

down, I stood up, intending to return to my apartment. As I turned away, Max said, "I once did a consultation at an orphanage where a girl told me she'd become the greatest doctor, so all the kids there could run

an

a bitter smile, pushing the door open yet couldn't help asking, "Max, you're

reply. His silence somehow filled me with

me, I returned to my apartment and

I glanced at the calendar marked with a red circle. It was the day to pick up Richard from jail. In my previous life,

my shoes, and took the bus to the prison,

him walk

area, thinner and

Back then, his only goal after getting released was to find me,

found its place, and my soul its