Chapter 4 Brian shot Maxine a look , his eyes screaming he'd rather be anywhere else . Maxine stared back , silent . She used to see him through a haze of love , but now ? His face - those eyes , that jaw - was pure Sebastian . Not a hint of her . Just like this marriage . She'd always been the odd one out , dragging everyone down . " No need for this , " she said with a dry chuckle . " I'm wiped . Going to bed ." But Brian snapped , like she'd poked a raw nerve . " You think I wanna apologize ? Kathleen didn't twist my arm , I wouldn't even be here ! " Even though Maxine had braced herself to let him go , her chest still ached . She clenched her fists , the sting in her palms promising it'd be okay . ' Even the deepest cuts heal someday . Better to end it quick than drag out the pain , ' she told herself . She started to walk away , but Kathleen's voice cut in . " Maxine , you haven't touched your food ." Her tone was all fake worry . " You're still recovering . You gotta eat something . " Maxine glanced at the table - loaded nachos , barbecue ribs , grilled salmon . All stuff she either couldn't eat or wouldn't touch . It didn't take a genius to see it : Kathleen's sly jab . " No appetite , " Maxine said , her voice flat . Kathleen's face went pink , thrown off . " Guess I'm sticking my nose where it doesn't belong , " she muttered . Usually , Maxine would've bitten back , but today ? She felt nothing . She turned to leave , steady as ever . " Wait a sec , " Sebastian barked , his voice cold enough to freeze her in place . " Kathleen busted her butt cooking for you , and you're just gonna bail without a taste ? Where's your manners ? " " And don't get me started , " he went on , " Kathleen and Brian slaved over that grilled salmon to make things right . You're just gonna trash their effort ? " Maxine stopped dead . She'd thought she was over letting them get to her , but she'd been dead wrong . His words hit like a punch , her blood roaring , nearly drowning out her self - control . Her whole body tensed , a bitter smirk twisting her lips . If this table of food she couldn't even stomach was manners or effort , then rude ought to slink off and hide . Forget the years back when her life imploded - dad in the slammer , mom vanished with the money . Maxine was so broke she was scraping by on spare change , choking down nachos for every meal . Even now , just thinking about that stuff made her gag . And her husband and son ? Clueless that salmon could literally kill her . Still , Maxine wasn't about to bare her soul for pity points . No way she was digging up old wounds for kicks . She took a deep breath , swallowing the storm inside . " This is my house . Kathleen swans in like she owns it , and I'm supposed to throw her a parade ? " " Maxine ! " Sebastian's brow furrowed , his tone sharp . She gave a dry , mocking laugh . " Save the sorrys . You're all set to play happy family anyway . " Chapter 4 Before he could snap back , she turned and bolted upstairs . In her room , Maxine collapsed , drained to the bone . She just wanted to crash , but the door flew open . Sebastian stormed in , his vibe cold enough to freeze the air . " What the hell was that about ? " His eyes pinned her , intense and heavy , making it hard to breathe . Maxine sucked in a breath , meeting his stare dead - on . " You're a smart guy , Sebastian . Figure it out . " She stood , grabbed the divorce papers from her bag , and slapped them into his hand . Her voice was steady as steel . " We're done , Sebastian , I want a divorce . " The second the words dropped , his face went cold as ice . " What did you just say ? " Maxine didn't blink . " You heard me . Divorce . " Comment Send gift No Ads 10:43 Tue , 17 Jun □ GO Chapter 5