Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"What's up?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

He turned and flashed me a smile. "Nothing. Just stood outside a bit too long, got a bit of a cramp, that's all."

I just hummed in response, sitting down to eye the breakfast spread. Everything looked bland. All I wanted was for Richard to leave so I could go find Max.

"Not to your taste? Or has your appetite changed since you got pregnant?" Richard asked, sliding a bowl of fish soup my way.

I pointed at a doughnut instead. "I'm suddenly in the mood for something fried."

I reached for a doughnut to eat. He reluctantly took the fish soup away.

"You've changed quite a bit in a month," Richard mused, sipping his own soup.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"And you're as unchanged as ever. Still calm on the surface but causing all sorts of turmoil beneath," I retorted.

"Richard, when you saw those girls being burned alive, didn't you feel the slightest bit of guilt? Some of those girls used to run after you in the orphanage, calling your name." He paused, spoon midway to his mouth.

He didn't answer, just continued eating his soup, clearly not wanting to engage with the question.

"You can go. I want to be alone for a while. I've had enough," I said, standing up to return to my room, leaving him behind and locking the door.

Only after hearing the main door close did I come out. The dining area was cleaned up, and Richard had left.

I quickly changed into a pair of sneakers and headed out, hailing a cab to the police station.

Just when I thought everything was going smoothly, I arrived at the station only to be immediately escorted into a car by Richard's two bodyguards.

Seeing Richard's stern face and how he ignored the pain in his back, I could tell he was furious.

"Claire. You shouldn't have come here," Richard said, pulling me into the car next to him. I let out a long sigh.

"Richard, I just wanted to see if there were any new cases. It's not too late to stop. You're being forced by Mother Superior, aren't you?" I tried to hide my real reason for being there, I didn't want him to know I was looking for Max.

"Richard, I can't stand to see more girls getting hurt."

He remained silent.

"Richard, I wish you could stay the big brother I remember in my heart. I don't want to see you like this," attempted to appeal to his emotions, perhaps to confuse him, as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Claire, I'll take you home," Richard finally said, sighing deeply, not even bothering to explain anymore. He started the car and drove me back.

Watching the police station's gates grow distant, all I could do was wait for Kate to find me.

But as the night wore on without a sign of Kate, my anxiety grew. Had Richard figured out something was off with Kate too?

I was left waiting.

Around 2 a.m., just when I was about to give up, my anxiety hit its peak.

That's when the doorbell rang.

I rushed to check the monitor and saw Claude, looking around nervously as if he was being followed.

I quickly opened the door. He was surprised by how fast I opened the door.

It had been a long while since I'd seen him.

He had come, but not Kate. My heart sank. Could something have happened to Kate?