Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"It's just too risky, Ms. Floyd. Don't be too hard on yourself." When Ronald reached out to pat my shoulder, he hesitated, let his hand fall, and awkwardly scratched his cheek, saying, "I'll head back to the investigation and try to find some leads as soon as possible." I turned and walked away faster than him. This time, I was there for revenge. Ronald's refusal didn't mean I would back down.

Returning to Claude's mansion was on my agenda for the evening since Gabrielle had announced she'd cook dinner for us. Before returning to the mansion, I swung by the hospital to find Kate had left. It didn't take a genius to figure out Claude had brought her home. I was injured, and Gabrielle wanted to give Kate a piece of her mind. But with Kate's car accident being more serious, whatever Gabrielle had wanted to say was stifled in her throat.

However, seeing me return, Gabrielle pushed Claude with a nudge and said, "Claude, Claire's back. Is this how you act as a brother?"

Claude was indifferent, handing Gabrielle the soup and saying, "She's only back now because she didn't want to come home. She's always been stubborn. She'll eat when she's hungry."

I kicked off my shoes in the foyer, smiling brightly for Gabrielle, "Mrs. Hart, Claudy's right. I've just been a bit too playful. I'm even thinking of going hiking these next few days. Maybe Kate would like to join?"

I went straight to the point, curious how this lifetime's Kate planned to ruin me.

Kate looked apologetic. "Claire, I'm injured. I probably can't go hiking with you. Can I join once I'm healed?"

I tilted my head, offering no response, and was about to sip my soup when Claude coldly stated, "So many germs in the hospital, and you come back without washing your hands. The Hart family's manners aren't reflected in you at all."

This remark displeased Gabrielle. "Are you implying I didn't teach Claire manners? Are you questioning my parenting?"

Wrapping an arm around Gabrielle's shoulder, I retorted, "Mrs. Hart, you've done great raising me. I sanitized myself thoroughly after leaving the hospital, cleaner than any of you." Even my heart was cleaner than theirs.

The dirtiest of them all, Kate, was sipping her soup when she pretended her hand hurt with a sharp hiss.

Claude immediately supported her wrist, saying, "Let me feed you. Moving your hand could reopen the wound, the doctor said."

Last time around, Claude and I were getting married at this point. Their actions felt as though they treated me as if I were dead.

"Seeing you two makes me sick. You don't deserve this soup." Gabrielle was upset, taking the soup away from Claude and denying him any.

He was embarrassed but dared not speak up.

After dinner, Gabrielle pulled me into the kitchen, pointing at the soup, "Remember when Kate personally made soup for Claude? I've made the soup now. Just say you made it and take it to Claude."

Gabrielle was just as delusional. It was as if she didn't understand that no matter how much I did or

endured, with Kate in the picturenet

Claude would never love me. He only had eyes for Kate, oblivious to her facade of lies.

"Mrs. Hart, I don't love Claude. I won't compete with Kate." I confessed my feelings to Gabrielle.

But Gabrielle shook her head in

confusion. "That's not right. Page after page, your diaries were all about your affection for Claude.

linet

How can you not love him? If you.

two don't marry, who will look after you when I'm gone? How could I

face your parents?"

She always used this excuse to try and bind me to Claude. I thought there was some logic to it in my past life, but it all seemed so bizarre in this.