Chapter 12 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 glanced down and caught Jessica's gaze - wide , spooked , and tugging at her heart . Her own eyes stung , tears threatening to spill . She flashed a warm grin , voice soft as honey . " Hey , Jessica , it's me ! Maxine , remember ? " Jessica just stared , those clear , glassy eyes fixed on her . After a beat , her lashes 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 place , 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 planned to stay a bit , then give it back to Sebastian . But now , with Jessica - this little curveball - Maxine was rethinking her plans . Time to find a new spot . A month wasn't long , but it wasn't nothing either . If Sebastian wanted the place back , she wasn't about to drag Jessica around in a frantic move . Better to plan 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 planning 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 glanced at the 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 ? " to dull the ache . Maxine was too wiped to clap back at his smug tone . " Sebastian , I'm slammed . Can't come 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 . " " Crossing the line ? " Maxine gave a bitter chuckle . " That's rich , coming from you . " 1/2 10:44 Tue , 17 Jun E G O Chapter 12 She was done pretending . She figured Sebastian and his kid Brian had obliterated any lines ages ago - ever since Sebastian started getting cozy with Kathleen , and Brian kept whining about wanting her as his new mom . " Sebastian , why are you so pissed ? " Maxine said , sarcasm thick . " We split , you and Kathleen can live your fairy tale . Win - win , no ? " 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 beat , his voice turned low , measured . " Maxine , you serious ? "