Chapter 14
Brian hit the ground hard, his forehead swelling up like a balloon.
“Maxine!” Sebastian bellowed, his voice dripping with fury.
Maxine spun around, her face going pale. “Brian…” she whispered, her stomach dropping.
She reached for him, but Sebastian swatted her hand away and scooped their son into his arms.
His glare could’ve frozen fire. Without a word, he stormed off.
Maxine’s heart lurched. She wanted to chase after them, but Jessica’s name flashed in her mind, rooting her feet to the spot.
She turned to Jessica, who’d tried to catch herself and ended up with a scraped palm and a wrist that looked all wrong–probably sprained.
Jessica’s face was white as a ghost, her lips tight to hold back a whimper.
Maxine’s chest ached. The image of Brian’s red, puffy forehead and teary eyes burned in her mind, making her feel like a total failure.
But there was no time to wallow. She grabbed Jessica and bolted for the hospital.
At the hospital, the doctor patched up Jessica’s scrapes and put her arm in a cast.
“Kids‘ bones are delicate,” he said with a shrug. “She’ll be fine, but watch her. You don’t want it healing crooked.”
Maxine thanked him and slipped into Jessica’s room.
Jessica sat up the second she saw her, eyes wide with worry.
“Maxine,” Her voice was small. “Sorry I’m such a hassle.”
Maxine’s tired face softened. She brushed a hand over Jessica’s cheek. “Don’t say that, kiddo. I’m the one who screwed up–I should’ve had your back.”
Jessica peeked up, hesitating. “That boy… he’s your son, right?”
Maxine’s smile faded, her gaze dropping. “Yeah,” she murmured./
“He got hurt too,” Jessica said, trying to sound tough. “Go take care of him. I’m okay solo.” She flashed a brave grin. “I’m a big kid now!”
Maxine’s heart was a knot of emotions–hurt, love, regret, all tangled up.
Sebastian and Brian might’ve let her down, but Brian was still her baby, her own flesh and blood.
Thinking back to earlier, guilt and heartache hit her hard.
“It’s okay, dear,” she murmured, brushing hair from the girl’s face. “I’m right here. And that boy? He’s with his dad. He’s gonna be fine.”
Maxine wasn’t sure if she was comforting Jessica or herself.
Jessica just nodded, snuggling into the hospital bed, and soon dozed off.
Watching Jessica’s peaceful face, Maxine’s mind drifted to Brian at that age–so cute, always glued to her side.
A bitter smile crossed her lips as she closed her eyes.
Chapter 14
She tucked the blanket around Jessica and slipped out quietly.
At the nurse’s station, she leaned in. “I’m running out for a bit–couple hours. Can you watch my girl?”
The nurse grinned. “No problem, hon. She’s good with me.”
Maxine nodded her thanks and bolted from the hospital.
She had a gut feeling Sebastian took Brian to Trinity Hospital, his private hospital nearby with all the best doctors and gear.
She hopped in a cab and raced to Trinity Hospital. A quick call to the head pediatrician who knew her well–got her Brian’s room number.
Guilt weighed heavy as she neared his room. She owed her boy an apology, no doubt.
But when she reached the door, she stopped dead.
Through the window, Brian was in bed, a bandage on his forehead, cheeks rosy, grinning wide. He was laughing with Kathleen, the two of them chattering like old friends.
And there was Sebastian, right beside them, the picture of a doting dad. It hit Maxine like a punch–a perfect little family, happy as can be.
