Maxine knew Lucas was just trying tofort her, but she couldn’t help feeling a pang in her heart.

    Lucas was a surgeon, so his hands were his livelihood. With this injury, Maxine worried if he’d ever regain his surgical precision.

    As if reading her mind, Lucas smiled reassuringly and said, “Really, don’t worry. The bullet didn’t hit anything vital, just a serious flesh wound. With bsome /brest, I’ll healpletely. Actually, this gives me the perfect excuse to take a few days off.”

    Even with hisforting words, Maxine couldn’t shake off the overwhelming guilt.

    Driven by guilt, Maxine visited Lucas daily for the next few days, always bringing nutritious meals.

    Lucas understood her guilt and didn’t refuse her visits.

    Lucas nced at Sebastian, who was sitting on the couch texting, and let out a wry chuckle. He thought, ‘I never heard they were this close. So why’s he watching me like a hawk now, as if he’s worried I’ll make a move on Maxine?‘

    Maxine walked in from outside carrying a water pitcher and set it on the table. She looked over with concern and said, “Be careful with your hand tonight. If you need anything or can’t manage on your own, just give me a call.”

    As soon as Maxine finished speaking, Sebastian, who had been glued to his phone nearby, pocketed it, walked over with ba /bgrin, and said, “Lucas, if you need anything tonight, just call me.”

    He pulled a business card from his pocket and set it on the nightstand. “Maxine doesn’t drive, so it’d be inconvenient for her toe alone. bIf /byou need anything, just call me and I’lle over instead.”

    Lucas watched him with amused interest, his smile widening as he said, “Well then, I appreciate the offer.”

    Maxine couldn’t be bothered to correct Sebastian’s deliberately familiar tone. She simply said, “You should rest now, Lucas. We’ll be going.”

    As they stepped out of the hospital, Maxine was about to hail a cab when Sebastian called out, “Aren’t youing back to see Brian? He really misses

    you.i” /i

    But Maxine caught the key point in his words. “You brought him home?” she asked.

    Sebastian nodded. “He wouldn’t stay put in the hospital, kept sneaking out every time the nurses looked away. I couldn’t do anything about it, so I had no choice but to check him out.”

    Recalling how Brian’s cheeks had been flushed with fever before she left, Maxine relented. “Alright,” she said.

    Seeing her relent, Sebastian reassured her, “Don’t worry. If you want to go back tonight, I can give you a ride home.”

    So they got back in the car together and headed back to the Mason residence.

    Seeing them return together, the butler was momentarily stunned, then rushed forward anxiously. “Mr. Sebastian, Mr. Brian has been throwing a tantrum, asking for his imom/i. He refuses to eat or take his medicine.”

    Maxine frowned slightly with concern. “Take me upstairs. I want to check on him.”

    Brian’s room was on the second floor. Maxine gently pushed open the door and found him lying face down on the bed, wrappec Hearing the noise, he yelled, “Didn’t I tell you already? Leave me alone!”

    Maxine called softly, “Brian.”

    bin /bbhis /bbnket/b.

    Hearing the familiar voice, Brian’s furrowed brow smoothed. He instantly jerked his head up, threw off the nkets, and scrambled bupright/bb. /bbThe /bbmoment /bhe saw Maxine, his eyes lit up with excitement. He leapt out of bed and ran straight to her, “Mom!” he cried.

    Maxine barely had time to react before catching him in her arms. The moment she felt his burning skin, she frowned in concernb. /b“You’re burning inva long have you had this feverb?/bb” /b

    Brian sheepishly rubbed his nose.

    bMaxine /bfrowned at his bare feet and said sternly, “If you won’t rest properly at home, we’re going straight to the hospital. The butler told me you re refusing your medicine? Fine, no pills, then. You’ll just get some shots instead.”

    It was only natural for kids to be afraid of needles, even fearless little Brian would panic at the sight of one. He quickly wrapped his arms around Maxine’s waist and pleaded, “Don’t be mad, Mom! I’ll behave!”

    AD