Rebirth Into My Second Chance

I couldn't let it go. Was this how it was going to end? Could Richard be behind it all?

In a flash of clarity, it hit me. If Richard had been willing to lay down his life for me in a past life, who was he dying for this life? Tracey!

I shot up from my bed to find Max sitting by my side, idly supporting his head with one hand, half-asleep.

Noticing I was awake, he reached out to help me up, but I grabbed his hand, demanding, "Max, Richard wouldn't kill me, right? There must be a misunderstanding?"

Max swallowed hard, a visible struggle in his throat, clearly holding back words he couldn't bring himself to say.

I looked determined. "Max, Richard died for me in another life, and how could he possibly kill me now? He's the only family I have in this world."

"Claire, all evidence points to him as the mastermind," Max couldn't meet my eyes as he spoke, his gaze drifting away.

I knew he was lying. "I knew he was lying. "So, you're lying to me? Are you trying to make me hate Richard too? Is this some kind of game for you, Max? Or do you just need a scapegoat to protect Tracey?"

I pressed him, and in response, he pulled me into an embrace, pinning me down on the bed, sealing my protests with a kiss.

But with all my strength, I pushed him away, my nails leaving marks on his neck. He winced in pain and let go.

"Max, I don't want Richard dead. Even if he takes the fall, the real culprit, Tracey, won't stop coming after me." I had accused Tracey outright, yet Max never seemed to doubt her. I was so disappointed.

"I only want Richard. Leave," I said, pointing towards the door and almost screaming hysterically.

"I'll take you to him," Max snapped,

lifting me from the bed onto his

shoulder. No matter how much

struggled, he carried me out with an

iron grip, his face dark with anger.

en

As we drove, I pondered. If Richard were an illegitimate child, he and Max would have been rivals. Yet, Richard always seemed to defend Max.

"Max, is Richard your half-brother?" I

needed to see if he was lying, but he nodded sincerely, "I've always wanted to tell you. But considering your feelings for Richard, I couldn't bring myself to act against him."

So, Max had been contemplating action against Richard?

QUMS

Max said, "As for the burnt body case, Tracey got involved, too. She confessed that it was Richard," Max continued.

I was shell-shocked. They had evidence, direct evidence.

Max continued, "Tracey has always been Richard's right hand. Even in prison, Tracey helped him pull off his schemes."

No wonder Richard knew how I was doing on the outside, even from prison.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"But what about the past life where Richard died for me?" I couldn't even convince myself.

"In the past life, he didn't die," Max's car stopped before the police station. He turned to me, his gaze intense and sincere.

"He faked his death, making

everyone believe he couldn't possibly be behind the murder. When everyone accused you last time, he was the only one who believed in your innocence because he knew you were dead. He played everyone before, and you, thinking he'd never hurt you, just turned a blind eye to the truth."

That was the most words Max had ever told me.

"Did he do it?" It felt like I had lost the last thread of hope. Could Richard have been plotting against me since our past life?