Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I glanced at Kate, who was holding a bowl of chicken noodle soup, and didn't say a word.

As I turned to head upstairs to my room, she blocked my path at the foot of the stairs.

"Claire, you're back today. Are you staying for good?" She asked tentatively.

"No, I forgot the bracelet my parents gave me. I just came back to pick it up and thought I'd stay a few days."

My words seemed to relax her a bit, and I moved past her to continue upstairs.

But she was persistent and stepped in front of me again. "Claire, you can stay, but just remember your place and don't cross any lines."

I offered a faint smile.

Suddenly, I grabbed her hand holding the soup and, with a quick jerk, ended up splashing it all over myself.

"Ah-" I cried out in pain, as the soup was freshly made and burning hot.

"What happened?"

Claude rushed over like a knight in shining armor and helped me up from where I had fallen.

I deliberately hid my scalded, red hand behind my back.

"I'm fine, Claudy, don't blame Kate. She was just trying to bring you the soup, and I accidentally bumped into her."

Kate stood there, dumbfounded, not sure how to respond.

Stammering, she tried to explain, "Claude, it was her pulling me that made me spill the soup..."

But I cut her off, "My hand hurts so much..."

I showed Claude my hand, now blistering from the burn.

I could see the concern in his eyes, "I'll get you some ointment."

Without another word, he carried me to the couch and fetched a first-aid kit. As he was about to apply the ointment, Kate hurried over, trying to continue her explanation. Claude looked up sternly, "Kate, Claire is hurt."

Kate froze, on the verge of tears. I murmured softly, "Kate, I didn't mean to scald you with the milk last time. It was just some warm milk, but this soup was so much hotter...

Claudy, will this leave

If I were to play a part, I'd make it fully convincing.

After Claude applied the ointment, he gave me a meaningful look, "No, I promise."

In my past life, I should have used this strategy and not ended up in such a tragic situation.

A smile unwittingly formed on my lips, though tears fell from my eyes.

"I was just coming back to stay as you asked, and then Kate stopped me on the stairs, wanting to say something, and that's how this happened. Kate, what were you going to say?"

I looked at Kate with innocent eyes, and Claude did the same.

She was speechless.

"When did Kate move in here?" I asked.

Claude was taken aback as well.

He glanced at Kate, who awkwardly adjusted her clothes.

"I got my clothes wet while cooking the soup, so I just changed into one of Claire's pajamas. How come all your pajamas are like this?"

She claimed she changed into my pajamas?

When did ever own such a

seductive and enticing piece of nightwear? Even Claude seemed to believe her, "I'll have the maid fetch you something else."

Then he turned to me, asking, "My mother picked out these clothes for you?"

I shook my head, replying, "I don't know, definitely not something I bought."

Claude must think I wore these clothes to seduce him.

He seemed to detest the idea of seduction the most. This time, it was clearly Kate trying to seduce Claude, and now she's blaming it on my clothes.

Eager to clear the air, I volunteered, "I'll go get it myself. Mrs. Hart prepared several new outfits for me this year."

Saying so, I headed upstairs, regardless of whether they wanted me to or not.