Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I clamped my hands over my ears, refusing to listen. Max, who'd sworn he'd rather die than surrender, was still lying in bed, and I just couldn't bear the thought of going through that again. There were too many people I wanted to save. But I was utterly powerless.

"Claude, don't you die on me," I said before turning and running away.

But at that moment, Claude was actually smiling as he handed a black bag to his bodyguard.

It wasn't until the next day when I used what was in the bag that I understood.

I spent the night beside Max, feeling his body temperature gradually fall.

"Max, you gotta wake up soon, buddy. If you do, we might just have won this thing."

I rested my head on his arm, the one without wounds, and felt his warmth. It was the only comfort I had these past few days.

Without him, life felt empty and meaningless. I fell asleep by his side, and in my dreams, I felt someone kiss my forehead.

I smiled in my sleep.

The next morning, I woke up early to find Max unchanged. He was in no condition to move, but I figured he'd be safe now with the Hilton family.

left Helen in charge of

completely and had someone

by something. When I opened the door, Richard was there, setting up breakfast. "Decided to come back, huh?" He didn't meet my gaze, but the coldness in his eyes sent a shiver

night, I went to

knew no excuse would convince him, not when I didn't know how much he

unsteady, leaning against the wall. He reached

of Max covered in knife wounds, the

surviving those injuries

it back to Crestview Metropolis is a stroke of luck," he said, helping me sit down. "You

breakfast."

said, "Crab is

moment, then said, "Then let's

cook instead? It's been

my suggestion but still opened the

had prepared for

to cook for me all along? A final breakfast?" He ignored my question, busying himself in

the packet of pills

pocket but ultimately decided