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.

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 from dragging me to Serenity Bluff, so

of options. Catching Hannah was something

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

me? Claire, after everything we've been through, do you still trust me?" Claude sounded genuinely surprised

goals is fine, but not at the expense of others. What makes you different is that, despite

my death

up. I'm contacting Ronald to

involvement would raise

"Claire, I'm sending something

hanging up, I was puzzled about

Max, his brow furrowed-had he overheard my

asking Helen to take good care of Max, Claude arrived, drenched from the rain, running through the front door without an umbrella. He handed me a black bag, "Use this

object inside, I pushed it back at him in

you're a lawyer. You

atrocities Richard's committed from Kate, I got this from the black market. I can't bear the thought of

clenched my fists,