Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Claude seemed rooted to the spot at the doorstep, and for the life of me, I couldn't recall the last time I had seen him.

"You made it. Where's Kate?"

At my question, he furrowed his brows slightly, probably not expecting my first inquiry to be about my former arch-nemesis Kate instead of how he was doing. "She's tied up at the moment, took off to Serenity Bluff with Hannah."

I stepped back to let him in, but he didn't move forward. "Claire, I'll definitely help you with this, consider it making amends for past mistakes." As he spoke, he pulled out a cell phone from his pocket. "This is a new phone, new number. I've saved my and Kate's numbers in it, plus my uncle's. Just a heads up, my uncle might be unreachable for now."

A pang of anxiety hit me, feeling like everything was falling apart.

"Don't panic. Ronald has already headed to Elmwood Springs. The old guard at the Hilton family somehow got wind my uncle was there. They're planning a shareholders' meeting tomorrow, but I'll make sure the Hilton legacy stands firm."

His resolve was as strong as ever, fearless in the face of adversity, except when it came to matters involving me. Back then, he had only trusted Kate, but he was clear-headed and sharp in every other aspect.

So, I wasn't worried about him handling the Hilton Group situation.

If he said he'd do it, he would.

I took the phone, figuring it was a good chance to sniff out any surveillance I hadn't yet detected.

Richard knowing I had a phone would definitely bring him knocking.

And Claude's reluctance to enter must have its reasons. Even a lawyer would heighten their vigilance upon sensing something off.

Otherwise, why would Hannah have whisked Kate away right after I met her last night?

"Keep an eye on Kate for me, Claude. I'm worried Hannah might hurt her."

I knew I was dragging them too deep into this mess, considering they had no direct involvement.

I had selfishly assumed they owed me from a past life and should repay.

"Don't you have anything you want to say to me, Claire?" Claude suddenly looked down at the floor with a helpless expression, then forced a smile at me.

In all the years I knew him, I'd never seen him put on such a facade.

"Claude, I'm more concerned about

whether Max is alright. I haven't been able to reach him all day," confessed, my voice breaking and my eyes welling up as I looked at him.

Max filled my thoughts and my heart, much like how I once felt about Claude. Only now, I had more sense and control.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

"Take care, Claude." I closed the door, not wanting him to linger too long, unsure if Richard had realized Claude was now involved on my behalf.

Everyone Richard considered an enemy of mine, I could potentially leverage.

I wandered around the house with the phone, pretending to make calls, just to see how quickly Richard would come after me.

Sure enough, half an hour later, my doorbell rang.

I felt a wave of sadness.

If Richard had surveillance here I hadn't spotted, then he must have seen through it last night - me standing behind the door, watching his bloodied and battered back without a flicker of emotion.

Why then did he still treat me kindly? Was it really just because I was the sister he had looked after for so many years? But he had also looked after many others at the orphanage for years.

I opened the door to find Richard holding a late-night snack. "Breakfast was a bust, how about we grab a drink now?"

I touched my stomach, smiling. "I'm pregnant."