bChapter /bb15 /b

bMaxine’s /bhand dropped from the air, a bitter smirk curling her lips.

‘When will I learnb?/b‘ she thought. ‘Sebastian and Brian are done with me. Why am I still hanging around, looking like some sad, lost bdog/bb?/bb* /b

She turned to slip out of the hospital, quiet as a shadow, But then the door clicked behind her. Maxine froze.

She nced back. Kathleen stepped out, eyes gleaming with disgust and smugness.

Her voice was low, sharp as a knife. “Well, look who showed up! Not gonna swing by and check on your precious son?”

Maxine kept her cool, face nk. “Why bother? You’ve got it all handled, right?”

Kathleen let out a nasty chuckle. “Smart girl. Good call bringing up divorce with Sebastian before he got fed up. ‘Cause, honey, if you’d kept pushing, he’d have dumped you so fast, you’d be crying in the gutter.”

Maxine didn’t flinch, but her eyes sparked with sarcasm. “Dumped or not, isn’t that your dreame true?

“Don’t worry, Kathleen. You’ll have Sebastian and Brian att to yourself in no time.”

Her smirk grew sharper. “Didn’t know you were into picking up scraps. Next time, just say the word–I’ll hand them over with a bow.”

Kathleen’s face tightened, and she stepped closer, hissing. “Watch your mouth! You brought this on yourself, Maxine. Brian told me he’s ashamed to have a mom like you. Says you’re a total embarrassment.”

The words cut deep, a silent stab that left Maxine reeling.

For a moment, her mind blurred, that bitter smirk echoing in her heart.

She’d sworn she was done letting those two hurt her. But here she wasb, /bstill aching over family ties she couldn’t cut.

‘Am I too damn stubborn to let go?‘ Maxine thought, a bitter edge to her inner voice. ‘Or just too soft to cut them loose?‘

Kathleen smirked, catching the flicker in Maxine’s expression, her ego practically glowing.

A cunning glint lit up her eyes as she stepped closer, voice dropping to a taunt. “Rx, Maxine. Once I’m Mrs. Mason, I’ll straighten out that brat of yours. You’ll owe me big time.”

Maxine’s eyes narrowed, and she grabbed Kathleen’s wrist in a sh. “What’s that mean? You plotting something against Brian?”

Kathleen didn’t pull away, just grinned wickedly. “Why so jumpy? You still care about that little punk, even when he’s always giving you lip?”

Maxine’s throat tightened, but she pushed through. “He’s my boy. The only ones who get ba /bsay in raising him are me and Sebastian.”

She paused, her re ice–cold. “Kathleen, I don’t care what you and Sebastian have going. If Brian likes you, fine. But hurt him, and I’ll make your life

hell.”

No matter how much Brian’s distance hurtb, /bMaxine wouldn’t let anyone touch him.

His attitude just meant their bond was shaky–not that he deserved to suffer.

Kathleen’s eyes shed with something sinister, her lips curling into a creepy smirk.

Thenb, /bsuddenly, her face twisted in fake pani?.

bShe /byanked her wrist freeb, /bstumbling bback /bbwith /bba /bdramatic squeal. b“/bbMaxine/bb, /bwhat the hell? Stop!”

D

b10:45 /bbTue/bb, /bb17 /bbJun /b□ GO

bIn /bba /bsplit second, Kathleen tripped, like someone shoved her, and went crashing backward.

Maxine stood frozenb, /btotally thrownb, /bher face ball /bshock and confusion. Before she could say a word, Sebastian and Brian bolted out bof /bbthe /bbhospital /broom.

“Kathleen!” they yelled at the same time.