Rebirth Into My Second Chance

The rain had been relentless all night, and I sat vigilantly by Lydia's side. Her condition had worsened by an infected wound that had induced a fever.

My worries weren't just about her fever, though. The new maid was in the house, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that she might harm Lydia in my absence. So, I stayed, keeping a watchful eye and offering my company. During a quick moment when Lydia woke up, she brushed off my worries. "Ms. Claire, you don't have to stay here with me. I'll be fine. You should get some rest."

"It's okay. You're still running a fever," I responded, my voice filled with concern and determination.

In a way, I felt indebted to her. Lydia had looked after me when I was in a similar state, in what felt like another lifetime. Besides, in this quaint town of Elmwood Springs, we had only each other to rely on.

"Is it still raining outside? In these mountain areas, prolonged rain spells disaster for those living in the old shingle houses up the slopes. They're isolated, and the drainage is terrible." Lydia's gaze drifted toward the window, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

I recalled my earlier outing, noticing the handful of houses tucked at the mountain's base, standing alone against the vast, uncaring backdrop of nature.

"My family and I once lived in one of those shingle houses. One year, a flood washed everything away. Then, Mrs. Hart took me in and provided us with food, shelter, education for my children, and work for my husband. To me, the Hart family gave us a second chance at life. So, no matter what Mr. Hart did, we could never hold a grudge against the Hart family."

Her words struck a chord in me, revealing why Lydia never said anything against Claude despite everything he had done.

Lydia asked, "Ms. Claire, is there no chance for you and Mr. Hart to reconcile? Things used to be good between you two, right? Ever since Ms. Goodwin left the country, it's like he changed, and you've become more distant, treating him almost like an enemy. Is there truly no hope?"

I propped myself against the headboard, not keen on getting into that discussion.

Lydia continued, undeterred, "I know he loves you. Otherwise, why would he act this way?"

"Lydia, love that's misplaced isn't love. And I don't love him," I confessed, my voice a whisper of my past and present anguish.

My thoughts drifted to leaving Crestview Metropolis, pinning my hopes on Max. 'If he was as influential as the stories suggested, shouldn't he have come to my rescue by now, like the heroes in those rebirth novels?'

But a day had passed, and hope waned with each passing moment.

I sighed. "Lydia, try to get some rest. I'll go check on the rain."

The villa in Elmwood Springs, nestled against the mountains,

fostered a secret wish within me. I wished the rain could intensify for a landslide to offer me an escape route. Yet, guilt washed over me for harboring such a thought, knowing it endangered the household staff,

security guards, and innocent lives.

So, there I was, spending the night in the pavilion, listening to the relentless downpour as the security detail patrolled around, their presence a constant reminder of our precarious situation.

"When will this rain stop? The city's

announcement mentioned the reservoir's levels are too high, expecting to release floodwaters. Though we might be safe from the floods, the mudslides from the mountains could pose a rea danger," I heard the guards discussing among themselves.

Rising, I beckoned them over. "Ms. Claire, it's too risky in the garden, especially with the mountain. It's dangerous."

I gestured toward the mountain path, "I want to check on the other side. If there's danger, we must evacuate as soon as possible."

Without my phone, I lost contact with the world. I couldn't get the weather updates or news.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

The guards exchanged looks,

eventually handing me a phone. "The cities upstream have been experiencing rain for three months now. Except for yesterday, Elmwood Springs has been raining daily. If they release the floodwaters, it could indeed be dangerous."