Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I gently wiped him down with a disinfectant wipe, carefully cleaning off every inch of him before moving on to his face.

Feeling his forehead, his fever hadn't broken yet.

"Max, I'm so sorry."

I covered my face, trying hard to keep the tears at bay.

I took Max's phone from the nightstand. I knew his password-it was my birthday. After unlocking it, I dialed Claude's number.

Claude, thinking I was Max, answered eagerly, "Uncle, finally got through to you. Claire's been worried sick."

"Claude, it's me." My voice was weak, still drained from the surgery.

"You're with Uncle?"

"Yes." I glanced back at Max. "I need you to come pick me up from the Hilton family estate. Then, spread the word that Max is dead."

"What are you talking about? Claire, how could Uncle be dead?" Panic edged Claude's voice.

just need to play along. With Max 'dead', you, as his nephew, can pretend to be overjoyed at the chance to claim the Hilton family fortune. This will make you rally the older generations of the Hiltons to your side. Meanwhile, Richard will make his move.

Catching Hannah was

chaos of Max's 'death' would be a distraction only Claude could

do you still trust

the expense of others. What makes you different

responsible for my death in

split up. I'm contacting Ronald

whispered, "That won't work. Ronald's involvement would

was worried, "Claire, I'm sending something over to

was puzzled about what he could be

back at Max, his brow furrowed-had he

drenched from the rain, running through the front door without an umbrella. He handed me a black bag, "Use this for

inside, I pushed it back at

a lawyer. You can't

committed from Kate, I got this from the black market. I can't bear the thought of something happening to

fists,