Rebirth Into My Second Chance novel Chapter 227

"Was it Richard who put Kearney up to stabbing you last time? That's why you didn't punish Kearney, letting him off scot-free..."

Before I could finish my sentence, Max cupped my face, sealing my lips with his, silencing the rest of my words.

Panicked, I managed to push him out of the bathtub...He kept making moves on me, but every time, I'd push him off.

"Not until you agree," I struggled to free myself from his embrace, retreating to a corner of the bathtub, distancing myself as much as I could.

"Claire Floyd, I said no," his irritation was evident.

His darkened expression made me fearful, his brows furrowed, cold droplets of water clinging to them.

"The last time, you used our newborn as a test, I agreed, and then the lab exploded. It's a hurdle I can't get over in this lifetime. I won't let you do something like this again, so it's non-negotiable."

He was fuming. He hauled himself out of the tub, his PJs all wet. Then he shouted for Helen: "Watch her!"

"If she tries to run, lock her up!"

Helen, frightened, rushed in with a towel for him and then looked at me with a worried expression, trotting over: "Claire, what on earth did you do to upset Mr. Hilton? I've never seen him lose his temper like this, not even when Kearney stabbed him. But this is the second time you've pushed him to his limit."

My eyes drooped in defeat.

"It's because I mentioned breaking up with him."

Helen looked at me as if I'd defeated her: "Why would you break up when things are fine? Mr. Hilton cares about you more than anything in this world. Aren't you practically asking for his life?"

I bit my lip, got up, changed into a dry set of pajamas, and since Max wasn't in the bedroom or the dressing room, I pushed open the door to search for him in his study.

There he stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of his study, already in a set of casual home clothes, lighting up a cigarette. This was the first time I saw Max smoke.