Rebirth Into My Second Chance novel Chapter 196

"The Hilton Group has never worked with him before." Max tilted my chin up, his voice low and steady, "Claire, even when you were in a mess in Elmwood Springs, I had him rush to save you when it happened. I gave him the entire rescue team, yet he insisted on waiting until you called the next day for help. That's when I started doubting him. If he cared about you, he would have acted sooner. He set you up with me just to get you pregnant and then have both you and the child die. He wanted me to feel the pain of losing everything all over again."

His long fingers traced my jawline, his eyes darkening to a deep crimson.

"In the past life, in Room 6088, it was also Richard who drugged you. He even had someone lure you into my room. This time, after being reborn, I called Ronald immediately after being drugged, ensuring you wouldn't get pregnant. I didn't want history to repeat itself..."

Suddenly, I lay in his arms and was too stunned to utter a word. Max knew everything. He was silently protecting me, clearing the obstacles in my path.

"Max..." I whispered, even as I pushed him away. He got out first and opened my door, saying, "Say goodbye to the past. I'll lead the way forward."

He extended his hand, signaling me to follow him. But for some reason, my feet felt as heavy as lead. I couldn't believe Richard would betray me, harm me, or kill me.

"Still don't believe it? You can ask him yourself," Max said, his voice tinged with a defeated resignation.

In the end, I stepped out of the car. Whatever the outcome, it was time for a conclusion.

But when we arrived at the detective's office, Ronald was frantically ruffling his hair.

Upon seeing us, he hurried over and said, "We have all the evidence we need, but Tracey changed her testimony. She's claiming she did everything and that Richard had nothing to do with it."

"Tracey's willing to sacrifice herself to save Richard."

That was my first thought, and how come I didn't know? Richard and Tracey had such a good relationship. Both were willing to die for each other.