Second chances are for people who changed something, not people who just waited.

A second chance is a bet on new information rather than a reward for time served. Waiting quietly and hoping the memory fades changes nothing about what went wrong, which is why people are wary of handing one to somebody who merely reappeared. Evidence is what makes the difference, meaning something actually done differently since.

If you want one, go in with the change already underway instead of a promise about it. Say what you did, not what you intend to do. Hold the same standard when you are the one deciding.