bChapter /bb12 /b

Maxine scooped up little Jessica, ready to head home. Kids that age usually sleep like logs, but Jessica was twitchy, trembling even in her dreams.

It wasn’t until Maxine got her settled in the car that those big eyes fluttered open, full of fear and uncertainty.

Maxine nced down and caught Jessica’s gaze–wide, spooked, and tugging at her heart.

Her own eyes stung, tears threatening to spill.

She shed a warm grin, voice soft as honey. “Hey, Jessica, it’s me! Maxine, remember?b” /b

Jessica just stared, those clear, ssy eyes fixed on her. After a beat, hershes quivered, and tears slid down her cheeks, no warning at all.

It hit Maxine like a freight train, her throat tightening.

She hugged Jessica close, voice thick but gentle. “Hey, sweetie, you’re okay now. I’ve got you. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Gonna take care of you, alright?”

Jessica didn’t make a sound.

Maxine brought her to a private house–a fancy “pre–wedding gift” from Sebastian.

She could afford a better ce, no question, but back then? Leaving him wasn’t even a thought. Divorce? Not on her radar.

The house was spotless, prepped as a short–term crash pad before her trip abroad. She’d nned to stay a bit, then give it back to Sebastian.

But now, with Jessica–this little curveball–Maxine was rethinking her ns. Time to find a new spot.

A month wasn’t long, but it wasn’t nothing either. If Sebastian wanted the ce back, she wasn’t about to drag Jessica around in a frantic move. Better to n ahead and keep things smooth.

After settling Jessica in the guest room, Maxine flopped onto the couch, scrolling for short–term rentals.

She also started sorting through Jessica’s adoption papers, but the more she dug in, the worse her headache got.

She had a month to finish a women’s rights case from Alton Legal Firm, flip Ivanna’s case, and–most crucially–finalize Jessica’s adoption while nning to take her overseas.

It was all too much.

By the end, Maxine’s head was throbbing. She pulled an all–nighter at the kitchen table, buried in stress.

At dawn, birds chirped outside. Exhausted, Maxine nced bat /bthe morning light and rubbed her temples, trying t

Then her phone buzzed. It was Sebastian.

Her eyes narrowed, tempted to ghost him. But something made her pick up.

“Maxine,” Sebastian’s voice was cold, bossy as ever. “You good? Got your head on straight?”

bto /bdull the ache.

Maxine was too wiped to p back at his smug tone. “Sebastian, I’m mmed. Can’te by to pack yet. Don’t touch my stuff.

“I’ll drop by the day after tomorrow, around three, and I’m hoping you’ll have those divorce papers signed by then.”

Sebastian’s cool cracked, anger seeping through. “I told you, you don’t call the shots on divorce! Quit crossing the line.”

b“/bCrossing the line?” Maxine gave ba /bbitter chuckle. “That’s rich,ing from you.”

10:44 bTue/bb, /bb17 /bbJun /bE G bO /b

bShe /bbwas /bdone bpretending/b. She figured Sebastian and his kid Brian had obliterated bany /blines ages ago–ever since Sebastian started bgetting /bbcozy /bbwith /bbKathleen/bb, /band Brian kept whining about wanting her as his new mom.

b“/bSebastianb, /bwhy are you so pissed?” Maxine said, sarcasm thick. “We split, you and Kathleen can live your fairy tale. Win–win, nob?/bb” /b

He sounded fed up. “What makes you think I’m into Kathleen? We’re just friends!”

Maxine shut her eyes, exhaustion swallowing her. She was done arguing.

“Fine, whatever,” she muttered. “I’m just tired, Sebastian. I’m done being your wife. Can we just end this?

“I want out. This marriage is over. I don’t even want Brian. Clear enough?”

Sebastian’s breathing got heavy.

After a beatb, /bhis voice turned low, measured. “Maxine, you seriousb?/bb” /b