Rebirth Into My Second Chance

After Kate left, I found myself perched in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of my apartment, watching the hustle and bustle of the city below. Time dragged on, and when Richard didn't show, I double-locked both the apartment and my room. Growing up in the Haven of Hope Orphanage, I remember Hannah setting up unnamed plaques. Back then, all I knew was she practiced her faith devoutly, lighting incense and praying.

It must have been for the Price family chapel she mentioned earlier.

What used to be unnamed plaques are now part of the Price family chapel.

Thinking over the past decade, Hannah and Richard's scheming has been terrifying.

And I was one of their pawns, including when Richard first exposed my life-saving deed to the Hart family to the public, marking the start of their vendetta.

Now, my job isn't to wallow in sorrow. I need to find a way out and protect other girls from meeting the same fate.

But, I couldn't help wondering if this was unfair to Max.

After all, despite bearing the Hart surname, he's just as much a victim of circumstances as I am.

Lost in thought, sleep eluded me.

Thirsty, I got up for a drink when the door lock beeped, someone was using my code.

"Unlocked," a voice announced.

I frowned slightly. The door was pulled but halted by the chain lock I had engaged, then shut again.

After a long silence, I cautiously approached, peering through the peephole to see Richard leaning against the opposite wall, pale as a ghost, his lips devoid of any color, looking up at my door.

If I didn't know he couldn't see me, I'd think we were making eye contact.

He seemed in pain, hunched over as he sat down. Only then did I notice the back of his white shirt soaked in blood.

Was this Hannah's doing? Capable of harming her own son, yet my memory of her was filled with benevolent smiles.

Richard hadn't taken me for the

termination, planning instead to take me to the Price family's villa, likely why Hannah punished him. No wonder she refused to see me upon our arrival at the villa.

I stood behind my locked door, not opening it.

My heart had hardened, feeling he didn't deserve my sympathy.

So, I watched him from behind the door, not leaving until his assistant found him and helped him up, "Mr. Price, your wound could get infected. Let's get it cleaned Ms. Claire might be asleep."

As his assistant supported him, Richard looked towards me once more, a gaze filled with despair.

Eventually, his assistant led him away.

Richard and I had become strangers. I turned away, heading back to my room.

I managed to sleep, but my dreams were filled with bloodshed and fire. This time, I was outside the inferno, screaming for Max to come out.

I woke up scared at dawn andThis content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

rushed to find Ronald. But as I opened my door, there was Richard waiting with breakfast in hand, a stark contrast to his frail state the night before, now feigning vigor as he greeted me, "Fancy getting breakfast yourself? You're up early."

I stepped aside to let him in, "I was exhausted last night, fell asleep early."

He didn't question further but headed straight to the dining area to set down the breakfast. A sudden movement seemed to aggravate his wound, making him wince.