Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I shook my head.

"Why does the Hilton family insist on keeping my parents' ashes? Are they afraid my parents' deaths will tarnish the Hilton legacy? No, that won't happen. The buzz on the internet will blow over in no time, barely scratching their surface. I'm not naive. If anything, my parents' ashes are safer with the Hiltons. What I really need to know, Maximilian, is why you saved me that night but won't admit to it."

My words left Richard at a loss for words, but from his expression, I could tell he knew it was Maximilian who had rescued me that night at the Hart mansion.

"Richard, I never said where I was rescued that night, and you never asked. You knew already, didn't you?"

In my past life, I was clueless about reading between the lines, and it cost me my life.

This time around, even the slightest change doesn't escape my notice. I can almost always tell what someone is thinking.

"Claire, if he wants to be around you, he'll find a way, but maybe it's better if you don't know," Richard finally admitted, confirming my suspicion about Maximilian's identity.

"Get me a meeting with him, and I'll forgive you for keeping this from me," I bargained with Richard.

He sighed deeply, "I'll see what I can do."

As Richard walked me to my apartment building, he couldn't help but add, "Are you sure you want to meet him, with no regrets?"

I frowned, "Why would I regret it?"

He shrugged, "I just think you're doing great becoming a better version of yourself. Why get tangled up with the Hiltons and Claude? They have a feud that runs deep. After all, it's said the Hiltons played a part in Claude's father's death."

I gave him a half-smile, echoing Max's laid-back grin. "Maximilian didn't do it, so why blame him?"

Richard ruffled my hair, "Didn't you say you wanted to be the best cardiac surgeon? You're on a good path now."

Before I could reply, the elevator dinged open.

Richard quickly withdrew his hand and bowed respectfully towards someone behind me.

I spun around and dashed into the elevator, cheerfully greeting Max.

He hummed in acknowledgment. Glancing at the toolbox by his feet, I remarked, "Off to assist Mr. Collins with another autopsy? How can someone be so twisted, burning people alive, and pregnant women at that?"

As I spoke it dawned on me that I

wasn't as bothered by the fact that

the victims were pregnant

as I probably should have ben

He tilted his head, loosening his neck as the elevator doors opened, and he stepped out first with his toolbox.

Before parting, he reminded me, "Remember to take your pills."

That's when I remembered the array of vitamins I had started.Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

But I knew by just looking at them, those pills were for depression, just repackaged. Only Max could have done that.

I inwardly mocked myself for getting depressed over a Claude issue.

"Max, I've got sweets. I don't need pills to make me happy."

He seemed to hear me but didn't reply before closing his door.

Pretending not to care but always looking out for me in his own way, was he just a mentor to me?

I couldn't help but test the waters.

I let out a sharp scream, "Ah-"

Bang-

Sure enough, Max's door flew open instantly. His expression was stoic, but his concern was palpable. He looked at my joking expression with concern, almost like he was getting annoyed.