Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Chapter 223

He dropped to one knee before me, a hopeful glint in his eyes. "Can I propose to you with my mom's favorite piece of jewelry, this vintage emerald necklace?"

The memory of Helen recounting how his mother was brutally murdered right in front of Max, her heart literally ripped out by her own husband, pushed me to my knees to embrace him tightly. "Max, it must have hurt so much, didn't it?"

His chin rested in the crook of my shoulder, a vulnerable gesture.

"Claire, it was agonizing, so utterly helpless."

His voice had a raw pang of pain in it, giving me the chills. My hurt was nothing compared to what he was going through.

"Max, it's all behind us now, right?"

Without a word, he leaned into me, seeking comfort in our closeness, as if we were each other's refuge against the chill of the world.

He gently lifted me up to sit on the bed, then retrieved the emerald necklace-a family heirloom of remarkable size and beauty.

"This piece seems almost too extravagant."

death at the hands of Alan Hilton all the more tragic. I couldn't bring myself to ask Max about it, fearing the resurgence of

cupped his face, smiling. "Imagine Mrs. Hilton performing surgeries with this necklace on. The

our laughter, he

vanity, where I

it off moments later. "Let's save it

occasions. I'd prefer something more understated

everyday wear."

in its design. You can

removed the centerpiece for me, I couldn't help but jest, "Wearing

sweeter than honey:

covered my mouth

sense of contentment. "Max, I need to see Ronald. I learned from Richard

grew serious. "I wanted to keep you safe, to work with Ronald and get

I had no idea she was

get too worked up, he held onto my shoulders and said, "However you want to sort this out, I'm with you. But no more acting on

by his protective