Rebirth Into My Second Chance

The surgery wrapped up without a hitch.

Stepping off the operating table, I felt all my energy vacuumed out of me. The look in that pregnant woman's eyes before the anesthesia kicked in echoed over and over in my mind. I rubbed my forehead. It was throbbing in pain, but I couldn't shake it off.

"What's up?" Max emerged from the OR.

I tried to sound casual to hide my unease and avoid another referral to the shrink. "Just the usual post-op blues. You're ditching me as your assistant to send me off to grad school?" He continued to wash his hands, undisturbed, the sound of running water filling the silence between us.

When he finally paused, his expression was as calm as ever. "I've agreed to be a visiting professor at the school you wanted to attend for three years."

I couldn't contain my excitement and jumped up, hugging him tightly. "Mr. Hilton, thank you! So, you are becoming a professor contingent on me being your student?"

His eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled in a way I'd never seen before, simply responding with a low "Hmm."

as they went by, and I realized I was still clinging to

a awkward smile. "Mr. Hilton, I'm really looking forward to

wildly. Was I falling for Max? My rational

I ran into Claude, who looked significantly worn down, probably due to Gabrielle's passing. His face was

my ears, not wanting to be swayed by

who canceled your grad school spot. I only found out and used it to pressure you to

who did

Hilton family take an interest in you? Unless you've somehow got connections there. I was so jealous. I threatened you. I'm sorry." His

scoffed. "It doesn't matter now.

the Hart family's clutches.