Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Claude stood at the doorstep, his eyes lighting up a bit as I got out of the car, but then dimming as he caught sight of Max's ride. "Him again?"

I thought he knew Max, so I just nodded. "Yeah. What brings you here?"

Claude seemed a bit miffed when I asked that. "Weren't we supposed to go to the auction today?"

Then it hit me; yesterday, in a fit to rile him up, I had told him and Kate that I was planning to pick out my own wedding gift at the auction. Turns out, he actually took it seriously and was here to make that happen. "What's the spending limit for my wedding, Claudy?" I couldn't help but tease, enjoying the storm of emotions playing across his face - a mix of irritation and the effort to remain calm.

With a huff, he handed me a black credit card, making me pause for a moment.

In my past life, that card was given to Kate, who never missed a chance to flaunt it in front of me, especially when picking out her wedding dress with my then-husband's money. The irony was suffocating. But this time around, the card was in my hands.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

"You give me the black card. What about Kate?" I took the card, figuring there was no harm in accepting it. After all, I was owed much.

"The less you know, the better," he brushed off my question with a familiar line.

Shrugging, I followed him to the car, where a dress and an auction brochure were already laid out for me.

"The driver will take you to get styled, then drop you at the auction," he explained.

I nodded in agreement.

He didn't come with me, probably off to get Kate.

In my past life, this would've broken my heart.

But now, I didn't show a hint of sadness, which seemed to perplex him. He asked, "Aren't you going to ask why I'm not coming with you?"

I smiled innocently, "Because you're picking up Kate, right? I'm not the type to make a fuss, Claudy."

Playing the sweet little sister might be my act now, but Claude still left with a cold huff.

I was jealous and possessive in my past life, and now indifferent, yet he was still unhappy.

What a jerk!

Arriving at the salon, I found Kate already there, getting pampered. So much for Claude picking her up.

I was dressed pretty casually, holding a big bag with the dress in it, looking more like an assistant than a client.

After being ignored for a while, Kate finally acknowledged me, "Claire, over here! I've arranged for our top stylist to take care of you." She was decked out in a flapper dress, fitting her affluent background perfectly.

"This is Mr. Hart's younger sister," she said to the stylists. "Claude made me promise to ensure she gets a fabulous makeover."

Only then did the stylists take my bag, discovering the pink ball gown Claude had selected for me - a quintessential princess look.

Kate frowned, saying, "Why would Claude pick out something like this for you? It's so childish. It's like he still sees you as the little sister from ten years ago. You'll look like a living dott in this."

A doll? Her words cut deeper than she knew, explaining my recent struggles perfectly.

Claude's dilemma over me was

clear; in his eyes, I was meant to be

his toy, to do with as he pleased, devoid of any thoughts or feelings of my own.

"Oh, Claire, don't take it the wrong way. I just think this dress is too

young for you, too conservativnet

Why don't you try on something else from the store?"