Chapter 11 Chapter 11 Sebastian's jaw tightened . " What crap are you going on about ? " he snapped . Divorce ? Not on his watch .. Brian piped up , chin high , full of attitude . " Mom , you mess up , you own it . You really think acting like this fixes anything ? " Maxine yanked her wrist free , her face hard as stone . She glared at them both . " You wanna know the truth ? I'm so over you two . Just seeing you two makes my stomach turn ." She turned and walked away , not giving them a second glance . Maxine didn't care what her coworkers at the firm whispered about her now . Sebastian and Kathleen ? Done . Even Brian - she was through trying with him . She hopped in a cab , heading to the police station as the workday fizzled out . Earlier , after finding Ivanna's body , she'd called the cops . They'd carted the body to the morgue and were watching Ivanna's little girl for now . Back then , Maxine had been too pissed , dead - set on tearing into Kathleen . Now , with her head clearer , she'd decided on the ride over : no way was she leaving Ivanna's kid high and dry . At the station , Maxine spotted the girl on a bench by the entrance , a female officer kneeling beside her , murmuring softly . The officer's face softened with relief when she saw Maxine and hustled over . She pulled Maxine to a quiet corner . " Honestly, Ms. Hudson , I wasn't sure you'd show , " she said , almost surprised . Maxine frowned . " What , and leave that kid here ? Not a chance . " The officer glanced back at the girl , her eyes heavy with pity . " You don't know the half of it . " After you left , we checked Ivanna's records . No family . Nobody . " " So , yeah , " she said softly , " that little girl's got no one now . " Maxine froze , a lump choking her throat . Words wouldn't come Guilt hit Maxine like a punch to the gut . ' If I'd gone all in against Sebastian , kept Kathleen from touching that case , or screw it , just barged into court myself - would it have made a damn bit of difference ? ' Maxine dragged in a breath , steadying her shaky voice . " What if I adopt her ? " The cop's jaw dropped , eyes wide . Time crawled by , the moon glowing bright overhead . Maxine followed the police to the hospital morgue to claim Ivanna's body , then sent it to a funeral home for cremation come morning . Back at the station , the girl was out like a light in the duty room . Dim light spilled over the space . The kid - tucked into the bottom bunk , wrapped in the cop's jacket - had tear stains streaking her cheeks . Maxine hovered in the doorway , staring at the girl , her heart heavy with a bitter sting . The cop eased up beside her , voice soft , " Hey , Ms. Hudson , I checked . You can adopt Jessica , but the paperwork's a freaking mess . We can't help much . 10:44 Tue , 17 Jun ( G D Chapter 11 but until the orphanage steps in , you can look after Jess . " She paused . " You sure you're in ? " Maxine's gaze didn't budge . " Damn sure . " Her husband's cheating ways and her son , practically someone else's now - she had nothing left to lose . Nothing left to gain . She'd been ready to divorce Sebastian and ditch this town . But now , Maxine had a new battle : clearing Ivanna's name . Taking in Jessica ? That was her shot at making things right for not fighting hard enough before .