Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"What do you want to know?" Max asked, his voice cool and detached.

Suddenly, I lost all my courage to press him further. Shrugging, I tried to sound casual, "Nothing, just messing with you."

I hadn't gone out for the porridge at Porridge City, but I did eat the barbecue ribs he made, all from the leanest cuts. And there were also some chicken wings. Judging by the amount, he must have wanted to share a meal. It's a pity, really. I'm fickle, only out to please myself.

And the bodyguard Richard had assigned to me? I sent him packing too. If someone was out to get me, they'd go all the way, so why drag two more lives into it?

Back to the hospital for work, I saw Max right at the entrance. He saw me too, slowing his brisk pace. I ran up to thank him, "The barbecue ribs were delicious. What brand of vinegar did you use? I might try making it myself." "I've got a box at home, will bring it to you after work."

His reply took me by surprise. How many times was he planning to make barbecue ribs for me? He bought a whole box of vinegar.

Yet, there I was, retreating like a scared turtle.

He stepped forward, about to say something more, but my phone rang. I waved it at him, "I need to take this call, Dr. Hilton. You go ahead to work." Turning, I went to answer the call.

It was Claude.

"I want to see you."

Didn't he just see me?

"What do you want to talk about? If it's to convince me to move to Elmwood Springs to be your caged canary, forget it."

"Who was that you were talking to at the hospital entrance? Was that Max?"

I turned back to see Claude's Maybach, its window rolling down to look at me.

"It's none of your business." I hung up, annoyed.

Turning to head into the hospital, suddenly, two bodyguards grabbed me.

"In broad daylight, what are you doing!"

But they only listened to Claude, throwing me into the car.

My arm hurt from the impact.

"Claire, disobedience will be punished."

I tried to resist, but he made me inhale something, and in seconds, I passed out.

He seemed to say, "Claire, you can only be mine."

I had imagined being kidnapped, but never by Claude, and certainly not to Elmwood Springs.

Waking up, I found myself on a bed, Claude sitting nearby on a sofa, the dim light revealing his triumphant, shadowed face. "Where is this?"

I had visited all the Hart family homes, but this layout was unfamiliar to me, and all the windows were barred with stainless steel. "Elmwood Springs?!" I couldn't help but exclaim, sitting up.

"Claude, you're insane!"

Yet, my words didn't anger him. He approached with a smile, "Swear all you want, as long as you're here. During this time, Lydia will take care of you, but don't even think about escaping."

Lydia stood by, her gaze pitying. In a past life, she had been kind to me but was falsely accused of selling the family's security footage to the media and was expelled from the Hart family.

In this life, she was still here, but now tasked with guarding me.

"Ms. Claire, just tell Lydia whatever you want to eat." She spoke with a choke in her voice, as if she could already see the misery of myo confinement.

"Claude, what you're doing is illegal."