Chapter 1 Chapter 1 At twenty - one , Maxine Hudson said " I do " to Sebastian Mason . A year later , she brought their son , Brian , into the world . Brian was his dad's spitting image - cool , quiet , always holding her at arm's length . But with Kathleen Lane , some other woman , he was all buddy - buddy . Every morning , Maxine rolled out of bed to simmer a pot of soup for her boys , no matter how early . Until today . To get Kathleen to play mom at his parent - teacher conference , Brian slipped sleeping pills into her water . The soup she'd left on the stove bubbled over , snuffed out the flame , and let gas creep through the house . Maxine barely escaped with her life . She was worn out , heart and soul . She slid the divorce papers across to Sebastian , her voice steady but tired . " We're done , Seb . Let's call it a day ." " She'll be fine , just stick to light meals for a bit … " The nurse's voice drifted in and out , sharp with the sting of hospital antiseptic . It clawed into Maxine's head , forcing her eyes open as pain throbbed behind them . Stark white ceiling . Two familiar figures lingered in the corner of her vision . " Brian , who told you to slip sleeping pills in your mom's water ? What were you thinking ? " Brian stood with his back to her , his small frame rigid . " I didn't want her at the school meeting , " he muttered , stubborn as ever . " She'd just make me look like a total loser ." Sebastian faced her , his dark suit crisp , his sharp jaw and piercing eyes almost too perfect in the sunlight streaming through the window . He looked like he belonged on a billboard , not in this sterile room . " You get that you almost killed her , right ? " he snapped , voice tight . " It's her fault for being so dumb , " Brian fired back , his tone cracking like he was fighting tears . " She didn't even turn off the stove ! She's nothing like Kathleen . Kathleen gets me snacks , takes me to cool places . Mom just nags and bosses me around . " She's such a nobody . We'd all be better off if she was gone ! " His words slammed into Maxine like a knife , cutting through the fog in her head . The pain sharpened her thoughts , but the icy chill that followed , creeping through her limbs , sinking into her heart . She gripped the bedsheets , fighting back tears that stung her eyes . How pathetic was this ? The son she carried for nine months , the boy she'd poured every ounce of love into , thought she was a walking embarrassment . He'd even slipped something into her milk so his precious " Kathleen " could play mom at the parent - teacher conference . Maxine hadn't suspected a thing . She drank it and passed out cold . The soup she'd been cooking for Brian boiled over , killing the stove and leaking gas everywhere . If the security guard hadn't heard the alarm and rushed in , she'd be a goner . Maybe it was time to let go . She hid the exhaustion in her eyes and looked up , meeting Sebastian's gaze . 1/2 11:00 Tue , 17 Jun GO Chapter 1 80 % 20 He saw she was awake . His cold eyes flickered , and he took half a step toward her before stopping . His focus shifted to Brian . " Brian , I'm ashamed of you . Go think about what you did . Try that again- " His voice turned hard . " I don't raise heartless sons . " Brian , spoiled his whole life , wasn't used to a scolding . His face crumpled , all pouty . Then he spotted Maxine , awake. His big eyes flashed guilt - then anger . He shot her a dirty look and ran out . Maxine's heart twisted , urging her to chase him . But Brian's words echoed , freezing her in place . He'd rather have Kathleen by his side . Sebastian stepped to the bed , eyeing her pale face with a slight frown . " You okay ? " he asked , then added , " Brian's just a kid . He didn't mean it . Don't hold it against him . " ' A kid ? ' Maxine's mind sharpened , cold and clear as glass . Brian was nine , raised with the Mason family's elite education . He spoke three languages , read finance journals with Sebastian , and knew exactly what he wanted - a new mom . " Just a kid " didn't cut it . Sebastian , married to her for years , could tell she was off . His tone softened a smidge . " But Brian's got a point . As Mrs. Mason , you gotta step up - how you act , how you look . You don't want people talking smack . " He paused . " Brián likes Kathleen . Maybe take a cue from her . " His words slapped her hard . ' He called Brian heartless ? Look who's talking . ' Bitterness surged , draining what little color she had left . Dizziness hit , stealing her breath . " If Brian's so obsessed with Kathleen , why not let her be his mom ? " Maxine stared at him , her voice soft but biting . " You two already act like you're the real deal . "