Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Like a turtle retreating into its shell, I shy away from love. Especially now, thinking about someone as incredible as Max, I can't help but feel utterly unworthy of him. His gaze flared briefly with emotion, but he chose not to pursue the matter further. It wasn't in his nature to aggressively push forward and claim victory in one fell swoop. He was like a serene lake, occasionally ruffled by a passing breeze but mostly calm and undisturbed.

I hurriedly finished the spaghetti on my plate and fled back to my apartment as if escaping a crime scene.

Just as I opened the door, I spotted the driver from the Hilton family standing outside, ready to punch in the access code. He was holding several insulated food containers.

His expression shifted to surprise upon seeing me. He started to say something but then his gaze shifted to Max standing behind me and he quickly changed his approach, "The head of the Hilton family sent me over to drop off some homemade soup for Dr. Hilton." I offered a polite smile and then made my exit.

Max's identity was far from that of an ordinary doctor, a fact I should have realized much sooner.

But even if he was exactly who I suspected him to be, why was he drawing close to me?

When I woke up the next morning, Kate's call pulled me from my slumber.

"Claire Floyd, open up."

Being woken up early by a harbinger of chaos was far from pleasant, but considering she was as much a victim of circumstance as I was, I let her in.

"Do you believe me?"

life, she had hired Daniel

can you ask that without feeling even a little guilty?" I leaned against the doorframe, making it clear I wasn't going to invite

I didn't orchestrate the kidnapping

After overhearing her conversation with Claude at the

was my sister. She must have known I was after her, so she struck back

yet; Kate had always been the one guiding me, telling me she had a sister we could

with you,"

stopped the door with

been looking for Tracie from the orphanage. My

suspected as much, hearing it from Kate felt

"Where's the proof?"

"I..."

and suddenly weary of seeking the truth or any hidden mastermind,

you

She's