Chapter 16 Brian ignored the blood trickling from his forehead , rushing to Kathleen's side , his face all panic as he tried to help her up . Sebastian just stood there , his icy stare pinned on Maxine , not saying a word . " Kathleen , you okay ? " Brian asked , struggling to keep her steady . He shot a look at Maxine , his eyes full of hurt . " Mom , I get you're pissed at me , but why go after Kathleen ? What's her crime ? " Maxine froze , a weird urge to laugh hitting her out of nowhere . Kathleen , looking like she might break , wiped at her tears . " Brian , honey , don't be too hard on your mom . It wasn't on purpose … " She swayed , like her legs might give out , leaning hard into Brian . The kid , still rattled and nursing his own injury , could barely hold her up , his face turning red from the effort . Sebastian stepped in , easing Kathleen onto a bench by the door . " You okay , Kathleen ? " he asked , voice low but tense . Kathleen sniffled , brushing away tears . " I'm okay , Sebastian . Don't be mad at Maxine . " Brian wasn't having it . " No way ! How's that okay ? Kathleen , you're too nice ! " He spun to Maxine . " Mom , apologize to her . Now . Or I'm done with you for good ." Maxine swallowed the lump in her throat , fighting back tears . She looked at Brian - his face so much like hers - and let out a bitter laugh . " Fine . Cut me off . I'm sick of playing mom anyway ." She was done pretending . Sebastian's eyes went cold as steel , his voice sharp . " Maxine , you hearing yourself right now ? " He couldn't wrap his head around it . ' How the hell did Maxine end up like this ? ' Screwing over Brian is one thing , but Kathleen too ? And spouting that garbage right in front of her own kid ? ' Maxine's lips curled into a faint , bitter smirk . " I'm a lawyer . I don't talk just to hear myself . I say what's real . " Sebastian's eyes widened , his dark gaze boring into her . " You're seriously saying you didn't mess up today ? Brian called you out , didn't she ? You owe Kathleen an apology . " Maxine gave a short , dry scoff . " Just check the hallway camera . Truth's right there ." Kathleen's face flickered with unease . Sebastian stared at Maxine's stone - cold expression , a weird knot twisting in his chest . His eyes flicked to Kathleen , sitting quietly nearby . Kathleen dropped her gaze , her voice soft and shaky . " Sebastian , go easy on her . Arlene got hurt today - Maxine's probably just shook up . That's why she's acting like this . " Her words hit him hard , dragging up what Maxine did to Brian earlier . He took a deep , silent breath . " So what you did to Brian - that wasn't a screw - up either ? " Brian glared at Maxine , his face full of hurt . " I've never seen a mom act like that , " he muttered , puffing out his cheeks . Maxine's eyes softened for a split second before turning icy again . " Brian , I messed up , and you got hurt . I'm sorry . When you're out of the hospital , have 1/2 Chapter 16 your dad send me the bills . I'll cover it all - every cent , plus whatever you need to recover . " She paused , swallowing the ache in her throat , her voice going flat . " I thought your dad and I were done , but since you're my kid , I figured I owed you more than just alimony - some kind of mom stuff . " She looked away , her tone hard as steel . " But you clearly don't need it . Fine . I'm done trying . " From now on , we're through . You do you , I'll do me . "