Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Tracey leaned into Kate's arms, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Kate, be cautious of your brother; he's part of that royal circle."

"Royal circle?" Kate had never heard the term before, but I had, and it sent a chill down my spine. Could it really be the internal conflict within that secretive circle as the sister had warned? What were they fighting over?

They had their sights on the girls from the orphanage.

Could it be they knew there was a girl from the orphanage who belonged to their ranks and they all wanted her dead? And Tracey, known to be from the orphanage but not the right age, had she been manipulated by these royals while abroad?

As I was trying to piece it all together, Max interjected, "Let's keep you out of this. I'll take care of it. Tracey will be safe with me."

Tracey added, "They forbade me from revealing their secrets, so I've been pretending to be clueless, afraid to let my brother find out since he's also part of the royals. I thought his recent inaction was due to familial affection, but today, it was obvious he wanted me dead." Kate held her tightly, overwhelmed with fear. She too had seen her brother today, who had casually mentioned her plans to go out.

And in both of his attempts, he hadn't considered that she might also die.

"So, my brother would rather make a mistake than let one slip through? He even wants to kill me?" Her body trembled, the sisters finding solace in each other's despair.

"What's really going on, Tracey?"

But Tracey looked at Max, seeking permission, "Can I tell her?"

Her eyes pleaded for his approval.

"I'll explain," Max finally said as the car pulled up to the Evergreen Health Center.

He stayed silent until we got out, and after arranging a room for Tracey Max took me to another room. "Claire, I'd prefer you stayed out of this. Even your visit yesterday was unexpected."

I faced Max, "So, you're planning to face the danger alone?"

His good-looking face was all furrowed up with worry, hiding who knows what kind of stories.

"As long as you're not discovered as the child of the royals, you're safe."

"So, my father isn't Clayton Floyd, and my mother isn't Lenore. Are these identities just a comforting lie you created for me? Or, even wilder thought, are my parents still alive but can't admit it because it would put me in even more trouble?"

Reflecting on the day's series of assassination attempts, it was clear the forces capable of ending my life were vast.

"Does that mean Richard and Hannah have been protecting me all this time?"Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The realization that those I resented were my protectors twisted my understanding of everything. My mind was in turmoil.

"Max, what else don't I know?"

I sank to the floor, overwhelmed by the day's events and the enormity of the revelations. My heart felt like it was suffocating.

"Claire, everyone's been protecting

you. You're your parents' only hope. Whether it's Richard or the sister you met yesterday, they're all on the

front lines for you. Last time, liken et'

them, found you too late, and you died. This time, we're all prepared to protect the last of you." Max's tone was as if he were narrating a tale, yet this story was far from pleasing.

What was the truth of my origins?

In my past life, they had taken my fingerprints for verification, ensuring my death. What then transpired, and how did my family meet their end? "Max, by keeping me in the dark, do you expect me to just lose my mind?"