Rebirth Into My Second Chance

"Time for your pills," Max announced, cradling a glass of water as he perched at the edge of my bed.

Through my groggy haze, I could barely make out the white pills and the glass he held, but my head kept flopping back. With no other choice, he gently supported my neck to help me swallow the pills. "Bitter..." I instinctively spat out the pills because they were so bitter.

Seemingly of their own accord, my arms wrapped around Max's waist. "You're so warm. I'm cold..."

"Take your pills, and you'll warm up," Max assured me.

"So bitter. I don't want to," I whined, turning my head away stubbornly.

But then, the next moment, he held my chin, and suddenly, something soft pressed against my lips, followed by the bitter taste mixed with the smooth texture of water sliding down my throat. I sucked in greedily. However, he quickly pulled away. As he did, my body, unwilling to let go, bit down on his lip, but he still pushed me away, muttering, "Taking advantage."

Perhaps the medicine was starting to work. I no longer felt as cold or desperate for a warm embrace. I lay there obediently, on the verge of sleep yet still vaguely aware. I could sense Max waking and leaving my room, the actions slowly registering in my mind. My consciousness was beginning to clear up a bit.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

What had I just done to Max? Did he say I was taking advantage? Was he talking about me taking advantage of him or him of me? Oh God, I instinctively pulled the covers over my head.

"Is Ms. Floyd feeling any better?" I heard Ronald's voice coming from the living room.

"Yeah, she took her medicine," Max replied, his voice faint but audible

Ronald asked, "Your lip. What happened? Did something bite you?"

Was it me who had bitten him?

I didn't hear Max's response, but I heard Ronald burst into laughter. "Dr. Hilton, why did you choose her after all these years of not taking on students? And to treat her so well? You've got issues."

"It's nothing like that. Claire's academic records showed top marks in all her medical courses, especially anatomy and cardiac surgery. I needed a competent assistant," Max explained.

So, he had thoroughly analyzed my qualifications. Indeed, it was because of my strong performance in those areas that I secured a research position.

"Pfft... Heartless. Being your assistant means standing through hours-long surgeries. A Hart family darling, no matter how hard you are on her, she is still a precious lady, yet you show no mercy," Ronald teased.

Whatever they talked about next, I couldn't hear anymore. I drifted off into a heavy sleep, throughout which Max seemed to have given me water a few times.

At dawn, I finally woke up fully.

When I opened my eyes, the sun was already casting slanted beams into my room. When I raised a hand to shield my eyes from the glaring light, felt sore all over my body. The bumps from the taxi ride the day before had taken their toll, and my forehead throbbed.

Standing before the full-length mirror, I spotted a bruise on my forehead. My hair was a total mess, and my clothes were disheveled, making me look like a beggar.

'No wonder Max was unfazed by my

uncontrolled flirting the previous night. Who could like this mess? Oh, heavens, what had I done?' I was too embarrassed, 'With a whole year of internship ahead and facing Max every day, how could I ever lift my head high again?'

After cleaning up and applying some cream to the bruise, which still looked hideous, I covered it with a band-aid.

As I left my room, Max and Ronald

were nowhere to be seen in my apartment However, there was a plate on the table, still steaming. Lifting the lid, I found a pot of. chicken soup. 'Did Max make this for me? I wondered.