Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Look, we can't go after Kate right now." Claude eased his grip, seeing my defensive stance, and said in a calm, almost soothing voice.

I laughed bitterly. "So, you're the bad guy in all this, aren't you? You always knew Kate was hurting me, didn't you?"

Living through this life for the second time, I finally saw Claude for who he truly was. For his business empire, he would go to any lengths.

'What am I even searching for in this life?' I wanted to uncover who was pulling Kate's strings, but even that person couldn't be as cruel as my husband, knowing fully well I was in harm's way and doing nothing to save me.

I offered, "Claude, give me my parents' ashes. Let's cut all ties. My family will have nothing to do with you from here on out!"

The only thing I wanted from the Hart family was my parents' ashes, to give them a proper resting place.

"No can do," Claude shot back firmly.

I looked at him. "Are you afraid of the backlash? Don't worry. I won't let anyone know how heartless and insane you've been."

Without another word, Claude grabbed my throat and pinned me against the wall. "I want the empire, and I want you."

His desperation was palpable as he suddenly tore at my clothes and bit my neck. "Who were you with that night at the hotel, huh?"

His voice was cold, threatening. I froze, overwhelmed by the humiliation.

Trying to push him away was futile. He was relentless. "Claire, I didn't want to resort to this, but you're making it hard. You should have been mine."

I shouted, "Claude, you're disgusting. Let me go."

But his actions didn't stop. "I'll be engaged to Kate, and you'll stay with me."

It was the same plan as before. No wonder Claude wanted to keep me trapped, not allowing me to leave, because, with Kate, he could achieve his grand plans. And I was just an object to be possessed. "No..." I struggled, but his grip was too forceful. "Claude, I'll never be your lover. Not even in death."

He sneered, holding me tighter. "Still want your parents' ashes?"

"My parents wouldn't want me to

suffer like this, even in death. They'd rather forsake their ashes than me hurt.grabbed a nearby watering can and smashed it

Whet

against his head, fueled by a lifetime

of hatred to break free and fun.

But Claude laughed behind me. "Don't you want to know how your parents died?"

I crumbled, feeling as if lead was poured into my legs, kneeling on the ground.

The mystery of my parents' death was a thorn in my heart, and I desperately wanted to know. But the only ones who knew the truth were the Hart family.

"It was the Hilton family." Claude suddenly revealed the truth.

I looked back at him, and he leaned back in his chair, looking somewhat sane.

"Your parents worked for the Hilton family, who sent them to capture my mother, and your parents did die saving me in the car crash. But I lost my father in the car accident, too: Their deaths, all of them, were because of the Hilton family f they hadn't insisted on taking my mother away, my father would still be alive!"

The truth I'd been seeking for two lifetimes was laid bare.

Claude said, "Claire, their deaths had nothing to do with me. I never asked them to save me."

I laughed through my tears. Then, a cold breeze hit me, making me shiver in my torn shirt.

"So, my parents died for nothing?"

"If you want to settle debts, go to the Hilton family The ashes, too, should be with them. The Hart family was only a distraction, a topic for the media. The Hilton family knew,Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

everything but said not

Claude stood up and advanced toward me. "Why not stay? You still owe a life

debt to my father."

All my goals and reasons for this second life seemed to vanish then. My parents' deaths were an accident. Their ashes were with the Hilton family. And even the truth about Kate's betrayal was out in the open.