Rebirth Into My Second Chance

When I swung the door open, there was Claude, holding a couple of bottles of milk, the scent of liquor still lingering on him.

As he walked in, the mix of tobacco and his cool demeanor was oddly comforting. But knowing him better, I instinctively clenched my fist and stepped back.

I had loved him deeply once, but loving him was like playing with fire. Now, even a glance felt like a risk to my heart.

"Why the surprise visit?" I managed, despite the blend of his scent and aura that filled the air.

He glanced around my modest living space, hinting at his disapproval, "Not coming back with me?"

His silence when I didn't respond was broken as he handed me the milk, "My mom mentioned you liked the Hilton family's brand."

I hesitated, the bottle hanging in the air between us. Having been raised by the Hart family, my tastes had indeed become refined, courtesy of Mrs. Hart's insistence on quality to make up for other lacks. "Is your hand still hurting?" He assumed, noticing my hesitation. "Did you apply any ointment?"

I finally reached for the milk, showing him my hand, "Just took a milk bath, what could possibly happen?"

His expression darkened immediately.

Hastily, I ushered him towards the door, "I've got my internship at Century Wellness Hospital's emergency department tomorrow. I need my rest, so you should probably head back."

What I left unsaid was how his actions had forced me into this position, robbing me of my scholarship chance.

"Still mad at me?"

How could I not be? But I merely offered a hollow smile in response.

He stepped closer, trapping me against the wall. "Claire Floyd, you're acting quite strange, aren't you?"

Strange? Of course. There was a time I would've forsaken everything for him, mirrored his likes and dislikes, fought off any competition fiercely But now, I chose my future over him, even moving out, leaving him to Kate.

Suddenly, I pulled him closer, resting my chin on his shoulder. It reminded me of the days when he would comfort me, back when I was a newly brought child to the Hart family. He froze at the gesture.

"So, you're choosing me over Kate now?" I whispered, feeling his heartbeat quicken.

But he pushed me away with a sharp, "Don't be unreasonable."

I wrapped my arms around myself, retorting, "Then what are you doing here? I've already accepted you and Kate. It's you who's been clinging on, using my parents' ashes against me, using your influence to ruin my chances. Claude, it's you who's been unreasonable with my life.

His silence told me he hadn't expected such confrontation.

I continued, "My parents saved you without ever imagining you'd one day use that against their daughter We're not blood, we're not siblings might have loved you, but I'm over it now if you want to make amends, find a way that I can accept, without suppressing me."

Claude's gaze sharpened. "Without my permission, you'll always belong to the Hart family." With that, he stormed out, leaving me alone with the echoes of a door slamming shut.