Rebirth Into My Second Chance

But the words got stuck in my throat, because deep down, I knew getting close to Richard would be playing with fire.

"Richard, is there anything left for us to talk about? Flowers bloom and wither, and even the most beautiful things can be destroyed, either by natural disasters or by human hands."

I knew he understood that I was referring to how he had destroyed the relationship we once had.

"Claire, you know we're at the bottom of the barrel, always fighting an uphill battle against the elite. I've been trying to pave a way for our future."

"Paving a way by killing me?"

The irony almost made me laugh out loud. Twice in my life, he had tried to kill me. What more was there to say?

"Forget it. If you refuse to see me, so be it. I've had your parents' ashes placed in my garden. They're probably enjoying the view of the poppies," his voice eerily calm, sending shivers down my spine. "Richard, you've gone too far!"

I finally understood why, initially, Max had refused to hand over the ashes to the Hart family. Because in their hands, the ashes would be in danger, just as they were near Richard when with me.

But I had insisted, leaving Max with no choice but to comply.

After hanging up, I was about to rush off to confront Richard when Max grabbed my hand, saying, "Don't face this alone. We'll face it together."

As he was speaking, Helen got a call. She frowned and shook her head at Max, saying, "Mr. Hilton, the Hilton family elders are causing a scene at the corporation. Maybe I should go with Ms. Claire; I can protect her." "Old habits die hard," Max muttered about the Hilton family elders.

Worry furrowed my brow.

Given Richard's madness, would he scatter my parents' ashes across the ground as fertilizer?

As Helen and I got into the car, Max, still worried, arranged for additional bodyguards to follow us.

Arriving at Richard's mansion, I realized it had been ages since I last stepped into his home. Yet, here were poppies and bleeding hearts, symbols of sorrow.

Why would he plant these?

"Claire, you're here? Why bring so many people?"

I didn't respond or step into his home.

"Brother has prepared many gifts for you. Will you accept my apology? I never wanted to kill you. You know you're the one I care for the most."

Seeing his eyes, red and teary,

momentarily softened my heart. But he had tried to kill me in two lifetimes. Even though he claimed it was Tracey's doing, weren't be and Tracey in this together?

"Richard, I thought you loved Tracie? You wanted to find her after getting out of prison. But why would you let her take the fall for you?" This was something I never understood. He had once told me he loved Tracie.

"Claire, her wanting to hurt you was wrong," he said, a fleeting look of severity crossing his eyes.

Was he trying to play innocent, suggesting it was all Tracey's idea?

"Richard, I just want my parents' ashes back. Respect for the deceased is what matters most to me. Why use that to threaten me?"

Richard approached, his frail figure swaying, likely drunk from the night before. He reached out to hold my hand, but I stepped back, wary of him.

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"Claire, I truly won't hurt you. This was all Tracey acting on her own and I've punished her for it. Let's go ck to being siblings, forget about the baby Max lost."

Richard's current state terrified me.

Helen stepped in front of me, protectively, "Mr. Hilton's lady is off-limits to you!"