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 shot back, catching the fleeting uncertainty in her

you find yourself despicable?" She threw a diary at my feet, a testament to the years I spent under the illusion of love at the Hart family estate, now

I picked up the diary, not giving it

ready to confront her physically, but I held him back. "It's

being thrown made Claude's frustration painfully

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

shook my

name popped

Hilton family?" I asked out of the 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

,

Alan passed, the Hiltons have kept a low profile, and Maximilian

the mystery of

Claude aware of my connection to Maximilian, using me to target

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