Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Two weeks ago , Maxine was curled up in agony from cramps , firing off a couple of whiny texts to Sebastian about how much it sucked . When she met him for lunch later , she spotted a heating pad in his car . Her heart did a little happy dance , thinking maybe Sebastian actually had her back . But just as she was getting all warm and fuzzy , expecting him to hand it over with some cute gesture , she saw that same heating pad on Kathleen by the afternoon . And Kathleen ? She had the nerve to waltz up to Maxine , practically shoving it in her face , bragging about Sebastian's sweet side . " Maxine , you're always griping that Sebastian's oblivious , but I don't know ," Kathleen said with a smug grin . " I just mentioned my stomach was acting up yesterday , and bam - today he rolls up with this heating pad . " Oh , and you look like hell , girl . You good ? " that . The second Maxine saw that heating pad , her whole world just crumbled . Back home , she laid into Sebastian , demanding why he'd pull something like led.Ba women tarrie " You're a married man ! " she'd snapped . " Don't you think you should keep other women at arm's length ? " But Sebastian just shot her an icy look , saying she was being gross , that Kathleen was just a friend . Kathleen was just a friend , he insisted - practically family , he claimed . sjustbing Maxine wasn't buying that crap . If that was true , Kathleen wouldn't keep strutting up to her , rubbing it in her face like some smug queen bee . Sebastian called her ridiculous , refusing to explain , and they'd been stuck in a cold war ever since . " Maxine , what's your problem now ? " Sebastian growled , his patience shot . " I told you , she's just a friend . Why do you keep twisting it into something sleazy ? " " You know damn well what's going on , " Maxine fired back , her voice sharp as she closed her eyes to shut him out . The hospital room fell into a heavy silence , thick enough to choke on . After a moment , Sebastian noticed her pale face and reached for her forehead . " You feeling okay ? " She dodged his hand . " I'm fine , " she muttered . " Just beat . " He hesitated , then pulled back , setting a phone on the bedside table . " Get some rest . Call a nurse if you need anything ." As he turned to leave , he added , " You're hurt , so I'll let this slide . " Maxine stayed quiet until the door shut with a soft click . Only then did she reach for her phone , flipping it open to see- One swipe , and the screen lit up - over thirty missed calls staring back at Before she could even scroll through them , it rang again . Alton Legal Firm . They'd been after her for months , ever since she'd impressed them on a joint case . Their offer was solid - better pay , bigger cases , international prestige . The hitch ? Their main office was halfway across the globe . Taking the job meant trading courtrooms for airport lounges . Maxine was a civil lawyer , but lately , she'd beer knee - deep in divorce cases . Career - wise , Alton was the golden ticket - better gigs , brighter future . She'd said no before - for Brian , thinking it was some big , heartfelt sacrifice . Now , that just felt like a dumb move . She picked up , and the guy on the other end was practically bouncing . " Ms. Hudson , you answered ! Look , about the job , we're begging you to rethink it . 1/2 Chapter 2 We want you bad- " " I'm in , " she cut in . " Whoa , what ? " He sounded like she'd just yanked the rug out from under him . Then he laughed . " No kidding ? That's awesome ! " He kept going , like he was scared she'd bolt . " Don't worry , we'll pay you right , benefits and all . Oh , and there's a women's rights case on the table - your kinda thing . You can run point . " " Cool , " Maxine said , all business . " Send me the details . I'm wrapping up a sexual assault case , so I'll need to finish that before I start . " " No problemo , " he said . " Just heads - up , the case needs to be wrapped by the 25th of next month . " " I'm good . " Call done , her phone pinged - a new email . A labor contract , ready for her to skim and sign . She gave it a quick once - over , shot back a reply , and that was that . Exhausted , she crashed hard , sinking into a deep sleep . When she woke , it was dark outside . A bedside lamp cast a soft glow , catching a middle - aged woman puttering around in the corner - total stranger . " Who're you ? " Maxine asked , brow furrowed . The woman turned , flashing a warm smile . " Oh , you're up ! I'm the nurse Mr. Masonhired to look after you . " She stepped closer . " Feeling peckish ? I've got porridge if you want some . " Maxine nodded . " Sure . " Then she remembered . " Oh , and can you sort out my discharge papers for tomorrow morning ? " The nurse hesitated . " That's kinda quick , no ? " Maxine shook her head . " I've got it under control . " The nurse stepped out , looking uneasy . A minute later , she was back with a phone . " Ma'am , Mr. Hudson wants a word . " Maxine's gut twisted . She wasn't exactly itching to chat with Sebastian . But he'd hired the nurse , so it made sense she'd be his eyes and ears . She sighed and grabbed the phone . " Hey , what's up ? "