Rebirth Into My Second Chance

He didn't answer, but he twisted open the jar of cookies and pulled out a chocolate chip cookie. "Cookies make everything better," he said, offering me a small smile.

I frowned, and he stood up, grabbing his clipboard. "I've got to make rounds in the other wards. Richard has sorted out your discharge papers; you'll be heading home with him shortly."

As he walked away, I caught a glimpse of a blush creeping up his ears.

Could the boy from my dreams be Max? Somehow, their indifferent smiles blended together in my mind, each seeming to carry a burden of years beyond their age.

But even if it were him, it just goes to show, the world has a funny way of bringing people together.

Now, walking down the hospital corridor with Richard, ready to leave, we bumped into Claude, sitting in her wheelchair.

"Claire, you're leaving without saying goodbye?" she accused.

As if she had any right to play the victim. What more could she possibly want from me?

I look that gullible, Claude?" I shot back, catching the fleeting uncertainty in

you're choosing to leave me for Richard? Weren't those diaries full of declarations of love for me? And now you've moved on so quickly, don't you find yourself despicable?" She threw

tell me?" I picked up the diary, not giving it another glance before tearing

held him back. "It's not worth it," I

of things being thrown made Claude's frustration painfully

Richard warned as we waited. "She seems desperate for the Goodwin family's support, and possibly, for you. Could this be related to your parents'

shook my head,

a name popped into my

blue. That night at Claude's villa, I remembered her calling out to a man named Maximilian for help, yet Ronald Collins claimed it was he who saved me the next

,

the Hiltons have kept a low profile, and Maximilian shuns the limelight, focusing solely on his

deepening the mystery of that

of my connection to Maximilian, using me to

and her belief that I harbored resentment towards Maximilian, all seemed like part of a larger scheme. "Richard, I need to meet