Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I deliberately reminded him, expecting maybe a flicker of change across his face, but no, it remained impassive. Yet beneath that calm, I knew too well the storm that was raging. "It's okay. I brought you some coconut water, your favorite brand," he said, his voice steady.

I tilted my head in agreement, watching as he began to lay out our late-night snack. Despite myself, I went over to help.

Then, cutting straight to the point, I asked, "Did the dean cause the wound on your back?"

He seemed taken aback by my bluntness, pausing momentarily in his actions.Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

"It's fine. I've already applied some ointment."

He didn't mention his visit to my apartment last night, and I decided not to push it.

He got me a lobster with basil flavor this time, instead of his usual spicy choice. Was he thinking about my pregnancy?

"Richard, could there be anything harmful in this? It won't cause a miscarriage, right?" I couldn't keep up the pretense any longer.

As he methodically prepared the lobster and placed it in my bowl, he reassured, "I've told you, I would never hurt you in this lifetime."

I scoffed lightly, "What about in a past life, then?"

"Richard, do you believe in reincarnation?" I asked him once more.

This time, he looked at me firmly, "I believe."

For some reason, that made my breath catch.

The last time I asked, he suggested I was crazy, needing psychiatric help. But now, he believed.

I went back to eating my lobster quietly.

"I tried calling Max, but I couldn't get through," I said, watching him take a sip of his beer.

"Richard, I need to know he's safe."

"Did Claude tell you?" He didn't bother hiding it, a cold glint passing briefly behind his glasses. "Yes, you've seen it all on your surveillance, haven't you?"

Our conversation had become a clash of wills.

"When you sent Max to Elmwood Springs, you must have known he was walking into danger," Richard said with a smirk, as if he had won some victory.

"Claire, I can handle all the pressure from my mother to protect you and Max's child, but Max has to die."

I knew Richard was aware of everything.

Anger surged through me, my unborn child twitching in response.

"If he dies, I'll die too," I declared, knowing I had nothing left to threaten Richard with.

Yet I boldly speculated that in

Richard's tainted heart, I was

perhaps the only purity he had

encountered in years, which is why

he hadn't hurt me.

As for love, I doubted it. I was just a symbol of the goodness he once possessed, nothing more.

"Claire, don't threaten me. You can

ask Kate and Claude for help. I'll turn a blind eye as long as my mother doesn't find out. But if she does, I

won't intervene in their fate.

As I raised my hand to slap him, he caught my wrist with just enough force to cause pain. I winced, and he let go.

"I'm leaving. Tomorrow, I'll show you what happens to those girls at Serenity Bluff who defy my mother."

With that, he stormed out.

I was left breathless with fear, collapsing on the sofa. He had said he'd show me the grim fate of those girls.

Reaching for my phone to call Claude, I realized there was no signal. Richard had blocked all the signals to my apartment.

I rushed out the door, desperate to find a signal and warn Claude before Richard could catch up to me.