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.

"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.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

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.