NovelBarHe twisted the key in the lock of his apartment door and swung it open, a gesture of invitation. "Cin and
take a seat. I've got something to show you."
He stepped into the apartment ahead of me, already reaching for something as | followed.
He handeda folder and began, "The kids we're sending to the orphanage all have heart defects or some
other challenge. As a doctor, | want to give them a second chance at life. What about you?"
Every the spoke to me, it was as if he could see right through me, pinpointing my doubts and fears before
prescribing the breakthrough.
| hesitated, "Max..."
Unlike him, my choice to pursue medicine wasn't born out of a noble dream. The allure of a potentially lucrative
career drewin, thinking it could be a safetyif Claude turnedaway. Back then, doctors seemed like
the wealthiest folks around. When | looked back, my dreams were all about Claude. That was funny.
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"I have no dreams," | confessed with a foolish smile, looking up at him.
At that moment, he paused, probably thinking my naive grin was amusing, but not because he foundpretty.
"Focus on improving yourself and finding inner peace just for you, not for anyone else. Live a life that's truly
yours," he advised before turning away to lock the folder back in his drawer.
Yet, | still couldn't grasp how to becthat better version of myself. For years, my life revolved around Claude.
A mere glance from him was enough to make my day.
But things had changed. | no longer cared about Claude. Kate got caught. What was there forto live for at
the moment?
Feeling down, | stood up, intending to return to my apartment. As | turned away, Max said, "lI once did a
consultation at an orphanage where a girl toldshe'd becthe greatest doctor, so all the kids there could
run freely, laugh heartily, without the shadow of illness."
"She must be an incredible doctor," |
said with a bitter smile, pushing the door open yet couldn't help asking, "Max, you're not pulling my leg, right?
You're not with the Hilton family?"
| was still probing. But Max didn't reply. His silence somehow filledwith sadness.
Shutting the door behind me, | returned to my apartment and cried until it hurt.
The next day, with my eyes swollen from tears, | glanced at the calendar marked with a red circle. It was the day
to pick up Richard from jail. In my previous life, | would have been dead by this day. But in this life, I've lived
through it, ready to pick up Richard. Having him means having a past and family.
| skipped the oatmeal prepared by the maid, slipped into my shoes, and took the bus to the prison, carrying a
book | got for Richard.
Watching him walk out of the
detention area, thinner and clutching
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a black bag, brought back memories from my past life. Back then, his only goal after getting released was to find
me, no matter the risk
"Richard!" My heart found its place, and my soul its peace.
He opened his arms, waiting forto rush into them. "Did Claude make you cry? Why are your eyes like that?"
| said with tears, "Claude doesn't matter anymore. You're what's important, Richard. I've cut ties with the Hart
family."
He stopped, looked atincredulously, and frowned as if checking | was out of my mind. "You're not talking
nonsense, are you? Weren't you set on marrying him your whole life?"
| nodded proudly. "No, | want to beca better version of myself, living forandalone."
'In this life, Richard, the one | care about, is still here. We will live well together. Let the past be the past!" |
thought.
As for the Hilton family, when | was strong enough, | would reclaim my parents' ashes and clear their names.
They were part of the Hilton family, good people who died because of Claude.
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