Rebirth Into My Second Chance novel Chapter 298

I thought the story of the farmer and the snake was about me and Kate. Turns out, it was really about Max and Claude.

We were brought to Claude's mansion, a place all too familiar to me. The rooms, the decor—everything was unchanged. Except now, it felt lifeless, as if the warmth had been sucked out of it.

Claude stood in front of us, carefully removing the black hood from my head. He then pinched my cheek playfully. "This morning, when Uncle had me kneeling in the chapel, you didn't even come to look."

I stared at him, words failing me. Claude was never simple. He had bided his time with Max, never truly loyal, like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Claude, get your hands off Claire! Who do you think you are?" Kate was furious, wriggling against her bonds to get at him.

"Kate, if it weren't for you, I'd be marrying Claire today. It's all your fault!" Claude's eyes suddenly turned red with anger.

He grabbed Kate by the throat, cutting off her air.

"Claude, let her go." I tried to keep my voice steady, avoiding a direct confrontation with him.

"Fine, I'll let her go." With just a glance from Claude, someone dragged Kate away and tossed her into the pool in the backyard.

I watched in horror as they threw her in. "Are you crazy? She's tied up, she'll drown!"

I pouted, giving an indifferent nod. Claude snapped his fingers, and Kate was promptly fished out of the pool.

Relieved, I sank into the couch as Claude handed me a plate of freshly sliced peaches. "Your favorite, right? I remember you can't have mangoes; they give you allergies. So, I made sure Lydia never brought any into the house."

I forced a smile. These were things I hadn't even noticed in my past life. Watching Kate offer Claude mangoes, hearing him say he didn't like them, now I understood—he avoided them because of me.

But love, when it arrives late, feels like a cruel joke.