Rebirth Into My Second Chance

That evening, despite his reluctance, Richard drove me back to my apartment, not at ease until he had. Downstairs, he had his driver bring a bag of my favorite snacks to my door. "I've cut out snacks," I said with a forced smile, tugging at the corner of my mouth.

Richard seemed pained by my words, gently patting my head as he said, "You should cut down, anyway. I don't want you getting cavities and complaining about toothaches, forcing me to take you to the dentist."

As a kid, I was notorious for my sweet tooth, always winding up with cavities. I started getting fillings as young as five or six. Richard always took me to the dentist, cheering me up and giving me courage. I couldn't believe he still remembered that. "Tracie was the real sweet tooth, Richard. You've had me looking for her all these years, and I still haven't found her," I said, recalling the task he had given me before his stint in jail.

Tracie was an older girl from the orphanage who got adopted. However, her adoption records were faked, leaving no clues about her whereabouts.

Richard had built his empire from scratch, driven by his ambition for success and the hope of finding Tracie because she was his first love. "It's okay. I'll keep looking for Tracie. I'll never stop, not ever." he reassured me.

I nodded, turning to enter the elevator. As the doors opened, I saw Max leaning against the wall inside, eyes closed as if exhausted.

When the doors opened wide, he straightened up and opened his eyes, only to fix his gaze not on me but on Richard standing behind me.

calm, yet he didn't greet Richard. That was typical of Max, who wouldn't say a word unless he wanted to, no matter

as Richard saw him, the bag of snacks he was about to hand me

was about to ask if he knew Max, Max

up and bowed respectfully, saying,

first time I had seen Richard show such respect to anyone. His lean

Max didn't continue the conversation. Instead, he shot me a look, signaling me to

I felt his worry subside at that

guys are neighbors? That puts me at ease. Go on up," Richard

nodded and stepped into the elevator. But Max's expression

I curiously asked, "Do

"Barely," Max replied coolly.

how did he