Rebirth Into My Second Chance

When the woman walked out of the clinic, she was so unremarkable that one might forget her in a crowd. So, Max was into that kind of girl.

The woman crossed my path to stand beside Max, saying, "Dr. Hilton, I'm so sorry to have you bring me here. My husband's heart surgery is in your hands now." That was when I felt like being metaphorically slapped in the face.

Max had deliberately held back, waiting for this moment to humble me, hadn't he?

"Dr. Hilton, is she related to one of your patients?" I blurted out, realizing my error and feeling the need to apologize.

But Max just cracked a cryptic smile. "It's your turn now."

I chuckled nervously. "Yeah, okay."

He didn't ask about the child or if I had a boyfriend. His smile seemed to suggest that my check-up wouldn't go as planned.

Feeling his intense gaze, I lost my nerve just as I was about to turn the doorknob. "Forget it. It's just a minor issue. No need for a check-up."

my appointment slip behind and walked

if Max ever found out I was

my office, I saw Claude lounging on

called me Claire in ages,

career and have the Goodwin family backing you.

in his hand, saying,

was a ring box with the ring I had forcefully slipped onto my

to Kate?" I glanced at it disdainfully, but

tried to take my hand with the ring in his,

you hate me now, but

and wife, the sentiment remains, and this ring belongs to you. His words felt like a punch to my

on

even got a size smaller. The irony hit even harder, and I realized that even without Kate coming back, he stiff wouldn't

Hart family anymore." I refused to take it. Seeing the ring reminded me of my finger brutally broken, the ring embedded in my flesh, a bloody reminder that falling for Claude or getting close to him only brought