| leaned against the door, trying to eavesdrop on what Max was mumbling about, but all | caught was the soft
click as the door shut.
In this life, | found out Richard knew Max and held him in high regard. In my past life, my world revolved solely
around Claude, oblivious to everything | missed.
Lost in thought, I drifted into a deep sleep after the day's ordeal in the elevator. Awakening in the morning, |
found Richard waiting in the living room of my apartment. "Figured out my password, huh?" | shuffled to him in
my slippers and poured him a coffee.
"You claim you're over Claude, yet his birthday is still your password. Seriously..." Richard sipped his coffee while
playfully chiding me.
| shrugged. "Too lazy to change it. That's all."
Richard was well accustomed to my laziness by then.
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"I've got an appointment with a therapist today. Would you like to joinfor a session?" Richard's gaze drifted
out the window, a hint of evasion in his eyes.
"And why would you think | need therapy?" | tensed up, the memories from my past life still a haunting
presence, though | believed | had them under control without the need for a psychologist. "I'm fine," | stated
firmly.
Richard didn't press further. Instead, he gestured toward the breakfast laid out on the table. "Eat up. I'll drive you
to work. The elevator's fixed. No more scares." He didn't say it, but | knew he must've learned about last night's
elevator incident from Max. Richard added, "Eat more. We'll meet Claude today to get your scholarship spot
back."
His words nearly madechoke on my cereal. "I'm quite content now." Being Max's student seemed to offer
more learning opportunities.
"Didn't you always dream of grad school, pursuing a PhD in medicine to beca top-notch doctor?" Richard
paused, putting down his fork to look atsternly, his hand reaching to ruffle my hair. "I wonder what goes on
in your head these days. What have you been through these past two years?"
| shrugged. "You know, the usual stuff you hear about in prison."
How could he know about my past life? Remembering how he died protectingin that life, all because of
Kate's behind-the-scenes scheming, madetighten my grip on the spoon. | aspired to be better. Yet the hurdle
| couldn't overcwas Kate's release, likely due to her backers’ influence.
"There are many ways to be the best doctor. Saving lives and giving people a chance to live is all that matters," |
suddenly found my childhood dream somewhat amusing.
Richard dropped the subject. After droppingoff at work, | noticed him driving off in a different direction, not
toward hbut the orphanage, probably seeking closure from Tracie's story.
Entering the office, | saw Kate smugly sitting in my chair.
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She said, "Surprised | could find you?"
| frowned, maintaining calm. "Evil catches up to you, you know. What about those young girls who ended up
dead and burned because of Daniel? You think you've got nothing to do with that?"
Kate stretched Nazily. "I wanted
Daniel to kidnap you, sure, but never
for you to end up like those girls.
Besides, have no clue how their deaths are related to me. Why would | sabotage myself with sucho
actions?"
"So, what brings you here?" | stepped back, my hand ready on the door handle, prepared to flee at the first sign
of aggression from her.