The nurse thought I was talking about my physical injuries.
But I wasn't... Because cuts healed. Bruises faded.
Stitches could be removed. But what about a broken heart?
Who could prescribe medicine for that?
Who could stitch that back together?
...
When we returned home, Maxine was treated like royalty.
The entire mansion revolved around her.
Bodyguards followed her everywhere. Servants rushed to fulfill her every request. My parents-in-law practically worshipped the ground she walked on.
And Maverick...
Maverick spoiled her most of all.
If she wanted something, he got it, immediately.
...
One night, she mentioned craving a specific imported mango cake at two in the morning.
Within ten minutes, Maverick was already getting dressed.
I watched from the bedroom doorway.
“It's two in the morning,” I said.
He looked up.
“So?”
“Stores are closed.”
“I'll find one that's open,” Maverick replied without hesitation.
Then he left.
An hour later, he returned carrying several boxes.
Maxine smiled like a child receiving a gift.
My mother-in-law praised him endlessly.
“Look at that,” she said proudly. “That's how family should take care of each other.”
Family.
The word almost made me laugh.
...
Later that night, Maverick sat beside me.
“Sandra.”
I didn't answer.
He sighed. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Maverick asked.
“Like what?”
“Like I'm some kind of villain.”
I stayed silent. Maverick rubbed his temples.
“You still don't understand,” he said patiently.
The same tone people used when explaining something obvious to a child.
“Everything I'm doing is because of you.”
I stared at him.
He continued.
“Anthony died protecting me,” Maverick said heavily. “Maxine lost her husband because of that. She lost her future. She lost everything.” He looked directly at me. “We already owe her a life.”
Then his expression darkened.
“And after the accident, things got even worse. Sandra, whether you intended it or not, she got hurt. Do you know how guilty I feel about that?”
His voice cracked slightly. “So yes, I'm taking care of her. Yes, I'm giving her extra attention. Because somebody has to.”
He leaned forward.
“I wasn't protecting you that day because I didn't want the family to hate you even more,” Maverick said. “Can't you understand that? I've been trying my best to clean up the mess and keep this family together.”
His eyes searched mine.
“So please. Stop fighting with Maxine. Stop targeting her. Please think about somebody besides yourself.”
For a moment, I just looked at him.
Then I smiled— a calm smile.
The kind that comes after you've finally given up.
“Don't worry,” I said softly. “I won't cause trouble anymore.”
Maverick immediately brightened. “Really?”
“Really.”
“I promise.”
The relief on his face was obvious. Before I could react, he pulled me into a hug.
“Thank God,” Maverick said, tightening his arms around me. “You've finally stopped overthinking everything. You have no idea how happy that makes me.”
I stood there quietly.
“And Maxine,” he said softly. “There's nothing between us. Anthony was my brother. Maxine is family and your older sister. She lost her husband.”
His voice became earnest.
“I'm only helping take care of her because Anthony isn't here anymore. If anything inappropriate happened between us, do you really think Anthony would forgive me? Do you think he'd let me get away with it?”
I almost smiled... Because the saddest thing wasn't the lie. It was how easily he told it.
Maverick didn't understand something.
People don't stop arguing because they've forgiven you. They don't stop fighting because everything is okay.
Arguments happen when someone still cares enough to stay. When they still hope things can be fixed. When they still want to be chosen.
The day someone becomes calm...
The day they stop crying...
The day they stop fighting...
That's usually the day they've already decided to leave.
And I had.
…
After that, I stopped paying attention to what was happening in the mansion.
The family continued treating Maxine like she was royalty. Every meal revolved around her, every conversation revolved around her, and every decision revolved around her. I simply stayed out of the way.
My overseas transfer had already been approved. My passport, visa, and documents were all ready. Soon, I'd be gone. Just a few more days. That's all I needed to endure.
I didn't want any more fights. I didn't want any more tears. I just wanted peace.
Unfortunately, peace never seemed to last long around Maxine.
That afternoon, I was organizing paperwork in my room when she walked in without knocking. The moment I looked up, I knew she hadn't come with good intentions. She was smiling, the smug kind of smile worn by someone who believed they'd already won.
She slowly sat down across from me and crossed her legs, one hand resting possessively on her stomach.
“You already know, don't you?” Maxine asked.
I didn't answer.
Maxine laughed softly. “The baby.” Her smile widened. “You know whose child this really is.”
The room fell silent, but I simply continued sorting my papers. That seemed to irritate her.
She leaned forward. “Sandra, let's stop pretending.” Her voice dripped with satisfaction. “Maverick got me pregnant. He chose me. And honestly? You should do yourself a favor and step aside.”
I finally looked at her.
Maxine's eyes glittered triumphantly. “If you divorce Maverick and leave quietly, I'll convince him not to make things difficult for you. After everything that's happened, that's already me being generous.”
I almost laughed. Not because she was funny, but because the arrogance was unbelievable.
Slowly, I closed the folder in front of me.
“Maxine.”
“Yes?”
“You seem awfully confident.”
Her smile froze slightly.
I tilted my head. “What makes you so sure Maverick would marry you after I leave?”
The room suddenly became tense.
I continued calmly. “You're Anthony's widow. Maverick was Anthony's identical twin. If the two of you got married, the entire city would talk about it.” I met her eyes. “Are you really sure that's what Maverick wants?”
I almost laughed. Not because she was funny, but because the arrogance was unbelievable.
Slowly, I closed the folder in front of me.
“Maxine.”
“Yes?”
“You seem awfully confident.”
Her smile froze slightly.
I tilted my head. “What makes you so sure Maverick would marry you after I leave?”
The room suddenly became tense.
I continued calmly. “You're Anthony's widow. Maverick was Anthony's identical twin. If the two of you got married, the entire city would talk about it.” I met her eyes. “Are you really sure that's what Maverick wants?”
The smug expression instantly disappeared.
Maxine shot to her feet. “How dare you?” Her face twisted with rage. “How dare you look down on me?”
She grabbed my collar, her nails digging into my skin.
“You think you're better than me because your marriage certificate still exists? You think you've won because your husband hasn't publicly abandoned you yet? You've always been like this.”
I frowned. “Like what?”
“Acting innocent.” Her voice became venomous. “Ever since we were kids, everyone pitied you. But what did you ever have that I didn't?”
She laughed bitterly.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Then her expression changed. A cruel smile slowly spread across her face, and something about it made my stomach tighten.
“Since we're being honest, maybe I should tell you the truth.”
I didn't respond.
Maxine lowered her voice. “Maverick never loved you the way you think he did.”
The words hit harder than I expected.
