Chapter 39 Sebastian glanced at Maxine . She had already picked up her bowl and started drinking the soup , chatting softly with Jessica and alluctionately nomine her hair now and then . A strange tightness welled up in Sebastian's chest . He quietly helped himself with the soup , his movements awkward and unfamiliar Maxine had noticed his reaction earlier , but paid it no mind . It wasn't on purpose - at least not entirely . Maxine just didn't see the need anymore . Back then , Maxine had looked after both Sebastian and Brian in every imaginable way . She never even got a thank you in return . Worse , the person Maxine once believed to be the closest to her heart had turned around and dismissed everything she had done , belittling her worth and pretending she never existed . So now , Maxine no longer felt the obligation to take care of everything for them . As for how Sebastian felt about it - it didn't matter . Even after this soup was finished , they were still a couple on the brink of divorce . Just then , Jessica's sweet voice cut through the quiet tension . " Maxine , your soup is the best I've ever had ! Can you teach me how to make it ? " That caught Maxine by surprise . She smiled . " If you want to eat it , I can make it for you . Why do you want to learn it yourself ? " " Because I want to make it for you too , " Jessica replied . Jessica's sincere words warmed Maxine's heart deeply . She considered for a moment , then smiled . " Okay . But you'll have to grow a little more first . " Chopping stuff is still a bit too dangerous for someone your size . " Jessica nodded hard . " Then I'll eat more so I can grow up fast ! " With that , Jessica immediately took a big gulp of soup . Seeing this , Maxine laughed , reaching for a napkin to wipe her mouth , Sebastian found himself watching in a daze . It hit him all of a suddeh - Maxine hadn't spent that much time with this child , yet they looked more like real mother and daughter . Moments like this had never happened in the ten years they shared a home . Why was that ? The warm light cast a soft glow over Maxine's smiling face . A feeling of emptiness grew inside Sebastian , pulling open something raw and aching . Sebastian wanted desperately to fill it with something - anything - but the more he tried , the bigger that hollow space felt . Never before had Sebastian felt this powerless . He thought bitterly , ' Is it fear ? Am I afraid that once I went back to our house , I'd never see Maxine smile like this again , never feel this kind of warmth ? ' Sebastian's hands moved slower now , as if trying to hold on to this fleeting moment just a little longer . But a bowl of soup could only last so long . Jessica soon grew sleepy . She placed her bowl in the kitchen sink , said goodnight to Maxine , and went off to wash up . After she disappeared into her room , Maxine turned and looked directly at Sebastian , calm and composed . Sebastian was already looking at her . Their eyes met without warning . 09:11 Wed , 18 Jun Chapter 39 A strange tension tightened in his chest . Sebastian thought back to what Jessica had said before dinner and quietly lowered his gate . It wash the dishes . " Maxine replied calmly , " Don't bother . " Then Maxine took the soup bowl from him and set it down , her voice cool and even . " Sebastian , it's time for you to go . It's late . Aren't you worried about Brian being alone ? " Sebastian stared at her . After a long silence , he asked , " What about you ? Aren't you worried about him ? " Maxine raised her eyes slightly . " Why should I be ? There's a nanny at home . You're there . Worst case , Valerie's around . He'll be fine . " " But he's your son … " Sebastian answered . After a long pause , he added with deep weariness , " Maxine … can you come home ? Please stop this . " AD