Rebirth Into My Second Chance novel Chapter 148

"Claude, have you lost your mind?" I exclaimed, leaping to snatch the marriage certificate he flaunted with a smug look on his face. "Once we're legally married, it's all above board."

I was determined not to let my life revolve around him again, not to be at his mercy, and certainly not to become his wife.

But he coldly pushed me onto the bed.

After straightening the shirt I had crumpled in my attempt to grab the document, he shot Lydia a fierce look and commanded, "Keep an eye on her."

And with that, he left.

I tried to follow, but he waved the marriage certificate, saying, "The more you resist, the faster I'll make it happen."

Frozen, I didn't move further. I knew Claude too well; he was just like Kate, ruthless and self-serving.

"Claude, you can't do this to me."

But all that came back was the echo of my own voice down the empty hallway. The house was vast, a testament to his willingness to spend.

I pleaded with Lydia to let me out.

But she just shook her head. "Ms. Claire, ever since you left, Mr. Hart has changed. He's become terrifying. He either cries over, smashes, or laughs at anything related to you for hours on end. He's nearly gone mad."

I listened but felt no empathy.

"With the mistress also gone, he's become even more dreadful. He's smashed everything in the villa. He's taken a huge blow and has become quite terrifying. And, I can't let you go. He's threatening me with my family's safety. If you disappear, my family will be in danger."

I hadn't anticipated Claude's descent into madness in this life.

I thought his obsession with me was just that, an obsession.

But this was madness.