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.

We 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. This distraction will prevent Richard

out of options. Catching Hannah was something I

'death' would be a distraction only Claude

been through, do

makes you different is that, despite

been responsible for my death in

we split up. I'm contacting Ronald

would raise

"Claire, I'm sending something

puzzled about what

back at Max, his brow furrowed-had he overheard

Claude arrived, drenched from the rain, running through the front door without an umbrella. He handed me a black bag,

inside, I pushed it back

you're a lawyer. You

got this from the black market. I can't

clenched my fists,