Rebirth Into My Second Chance

In my past life, he was the one who stepped in to prevent my body from being lost to the flames. He went the extra mile to confirm my DNA, and somehow, he managed to perform a miracle and save Scar Man Daniel.

Unknowingly, he had preserved every shred of evidence of my existence after death. Even though he didn't do these things for me, I still felt a deep sense of gratitude towards him.

But for now, my immediate concern was dealing with Claude.

As I hurried back to the school gates, I saw him leaning casually against his car, cigarette in hand.

Tall and strikingly handsome, he embodied every girl's dream of the quintessential elite lawyer.

In stark contrast to Max's unattainable aura, Claude seemed more down-to-earth, more akin to the everyday joys and sorrows visible to the common folk rather than Max's almost divine stature.

The moment our eyes met, I could see a mix of anger and anticipation in his gaze.

He had been waiting for me.

"Get in," he commanded, snuffing out his cigarette with his bare hand and tossing it into a nearby trash can before opening the car door for me.

"I've actually been tied up with school stuff these past few days. Claudy, couldn't you have found a better time to give Kate and me some space? You showing up now just to check if I'm at school seems a bit much, don't you think? I haven't been out causing trouble," I protested, making no move to get into the car.

This time around, I wasn't about to just blindly follow his lead.

He slammed the car door shut, pausing for a moment before asking, "So, coming home late last night was school-related too?"

So he was here to check up on me, not because he genuinely wanted to take me home.

"Is there a problem with that?" Although I felt guilty, I had gotten better at acting, and my response sounded convincingly genuine. "It better be."

As he turned to leave, I couldn't help but ask, "Between me and Kate, you'd choose Kate, wouldn't you?"

This time around, I just wanted to hear him affirm it.

He didn't turn around, simply halting in his steps before eventually replying, "Just focus on your own business. Stop bothering Kate." Obviously, Kate was his main focus.

"So, it's her you'd choose," I said with a laugh.

"It's none of your business."

With that, he climbed into the driver's seat and drove off.

His indifferent response was as good as saying he chose Kate over me.

I kicked a stone in frustration before heading back to my apartment.

On my way, I had to pass through a alley that hadn't paid much

attention to earlier. This time,

however, the dim light revene

a

group of thugs smoking. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Instinctively, I tensed up, the memories of Scar Man from my past life making me quicken my pace.

But the thugs seemed to notice me, whistling in my direction.

I tried to keep my head down and walk faster.

"Where's the fire, sweetheart? Why not stay and have some fun with us?"

Just as one of the thugs reached out to grab me, I broke into a run, but he managed to catch my wrist.

In that moment, I was filled with determination; I wasn't going to let the same old story play out again.

With all the strength I could muster, I kicked him hard in a sensitive spot. As he doubled over in pain, I took off and didn't stop until I was safely back in my apartment.

Only once I was inside the elevator did I feel somewhat safe again.

Reaching my floor, the painful memories of my past life still haunted me. But just as I stepped out and felt myself about to collapse, the anticipated pai never came.