bChapter /bb263 /b

    A few dayster, Vivian took Maxine to the hospital to get the cast off her leg.

    The doctor examined her old wound and prescribed some topical ointment. He advised, “Once the cast is off, avoid strenuous activities and take it slow to let your body readjust. Otherwise, you could easily reinjure yourself. Apply the ointment morning and night, it’ll help iyou /irecover faster.b” /b

    Vivian didn’t catch every word, but the doctor’s rxed tone told her that Maxine’s injuries were nearly healed.

    Vivian brought over the ointment. Feeling a pang of sympathy as she watched Maxine sitting in the chair, she gently took Maxine’s hand and spread her fingers. Vivian said, “Why do you always end up hurt whenever you get involved with that guy? The scar fromst time hasn’t even faded yet…”

    Vivian added, “And even now, you’re still suffering from the aftereffectsb./bb” /b

    At this thought, Vivian couldn’t help feeling furious. She thought, ‘What was Maxine thinkingb? /bbIf /bwe were still abroad, I’d have put ba /bbullet through that bastard the moment he stepped through the door!‘

    Still lost in her own imagination, Vivian barely noticed when Maxine looked at her in confusion and asked, “Vivian, what’s on your mindb?/bb” /b

    Vivian snapped back to reality, scratched the back of her head with an awkward littleugh, and smiled. “Nothing, nothing,b” /bshe saidb, /bb“/bWe’ve got bthe /bmedicine, time to head home.”

    Maxine reached out to Vivian and said yfully, “Give me a hand, will you?”

    She didn’t even realize her tone had taken on a hint of coquetry. Vivian smiled helplessly, reached out and scooped her up bin /bher arms, then teased in a

    half–joking, doting voice, “Alright then, princess.”

    Both of them froze for a moment after hearing that. Maxine blinked, thenughed. “Well, if you don’t mind, I suppose I could reluctantly y the role of

    your daughter.”

    They tacitly let thebel slide, sharing a silent understanding.

    Growing up, Maxine had hardly ever felt any mother’s love from Mona Parks.

    But she thought to herself, ‘If I had to pick, Vivian truly felt like the mother I’d always wanted, someone who cared for me when I was hurt, and would joke around with me in ordinary times.‘

    Maxine couldn’t help wanting to steal a nce at Vivian’s expression, but she forcefully restrained herself and averted her gaze.

    When they got home, it was as if nothing had ever happened at the hospital. Vivian helped her onto the couch, then dramatically wiped her dry forehead. “Next time, lose some weight, will you? Hauling you back nearly killed me.”

    Lounging on the couch, Maxine looked at her and teased, “Ever since we came to Hathnd, you’ve really let yourself go. Your muscles aren’t bas /btoned as they used to be.”

    Vivian instantly went on high alert, pinching her own bicep. “Don’t talk nonsense! I’ve been working out every day!”

    As she spoke, her hand gradually stilled, and her expression grew solemn. “You know what? It does seem a bbit /bsofter than before.”

    She whipped out her phone in a panic, ready to frantically look up nearby gyms.

    Maxine finally burst outughing. Vivian narrowed her eyes in mock threat and said, “Are you messing with me on purposeb?/bb” /b

    Maxine shook her head innocently. “Nope, not at all! Anywayb, /bI’ve got things to do, time to call it a night.”

    She reached out for the crutch she had just set aside, leaned on it for support, and made her way upstairs.

    Vivian snorted, strode over and grabbed her by the cor. “Trying to irun /ioff in your condition? bYou /breally bought /bbto /bbpay /bbfor /bbyour /bbsass/bb!/bb” /b