Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Just head to the detective bureau to find Ronald," he suggested first, breaking the awkward silence.

Scratching my head in embarrassment, I mumbled, "No, not looking for him."

Without another word, he went downstairs to fetch his car from the basement, while I took the elevator up to the ground floor, stepping out just before him.

But as soon as I reached the lobby, my eyes caught sight of Claude's car parked right outside our apartment block.

Instinctively, I spun around, trying to shield my face, hoping not to be recognized.

But hearing his quick footsteps coming up behind me sent a wave of panic through me. How did he know I was here?

"So, this is you 'heading back to school"?" The tone of accusation couldn't be missed.

Perhaps because my feelings were a mix of disdain and a fear rooted in past experiences, my voice trembled slightly, "I... I moved out because the dorms were just unbearable, so I found a place off-campus..." I hesitated, unsure whether to say I rented or bought the place.

"You could have mentioned you were looking to buy a place," he interjected.

Swallowing hard, I mustered the courage to ask, "And if I did, you'd buy it for me?"

Recalling how in the past, my desires were always dismissed by him, especially something as significant as a house, it was no surprise.

His silence spoke volumes.

Looking towards his car, Kate emerged, greeting me with a warm smile, "Morning, Claire. Brought you breakfast."

Glancing at the breakfast in her hand, I turned away and said, "I already ate."

"Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, Claire. What's got you down, moving out all on your own?"

Kate reached for my arm in a comforting gesture, which I instinctively shrugged off.

Those who had once pushed me to the brink, now pretending to care, left me feeling nothing but distrust.

"I'm grown now; I need to stop living off the Hart family's generosity."

"The Hart family isn't worried about the expense," she tried to assure me.

However, my stance seemed to irritate Claude. Taking the breakfast from Kate, he pushed it into my hands, "Kate got up early to make this for you. Don't be ungrateful."

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"If she enjoys it, maybe Kate can deliver breakfast daily?" I suggested, half-joking.

"If that's what you want, Claire, you could always move back in, and K make it every day," Kate offered, though her reluctance was palpable only to me.

"When's the wedding with Claudy?" I couldn't help but ask.

"That... well, we're waiting on Mrs. Hart's blessing," Kate replied, her voice a mix of hope and hesitation. I wished her well with a smile, "Then make sure to invite me to the wedding."

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Claude's face darkened at my comment, as if on guard against this new, unpredictable version of me.

"What nonsense are you spouting now?"

As I struggled for a response, Max's car emerged from the garage. I hurried after him, "Dr. Hilton, wait for me!"

To my relief, Max actually stopped.

Waving goodbye to Claude and Kate, I announced, "Off to class now!"

As Claude began to speak, Kate cut in, "Have a good day at class."

That seemed to stop Claude from trying to hold me back.

Settling into the back seat, Max didn't start the car but instead teased, "What am I, a rideshare driver?"