bChapter /bb269 /b

    After Vivian and Lisa finished splitting up their haul in the living room, it suddenly hit them that they had ino /iidea when Maxine and Jessica had bslipped /b

    baway/bi. /i

    Vivian got up and searched the rooms, finally finding Maxine and Jessica on the dark balcony, holding each other and sobbing. Startled, she blurted bout/b, “What on earth is going on? What happened?”

    Noticing that Maxine had just taken a phone call, Vivian asked with concern, “Is something wrong? Do you need my help?”

    The two women separated from their embrace. Maxine gently wiped the tears from Jessica’s face. “It’s nothing,” she said softly, “We were just remembering Jessica’s mom.”

    Vivian, who knew about Jessica’s situation, immediately showed a pained expression. “I understand,” she said softly, “She must have been such ba /bkind and gentle soul.”

    Jessica smiled at her, then walked over and hugged her. “Vivian is such a kind and gentle person, and so is Maxine!”

    Although Vivian couldn’t understand all the Hathndian in the sentence, she caught a few words and realized she was beingplimented. Smiling, she scooped Jessica up and nted a kiss on the girl’s cheek. “My little girl,” Vivian said warmly, “Maxine and I prepared some cupcakes today. Want to join us?”

    “Cake!” Lisa, having just put her things away in her room, came darting over with excitement. “Save some for me!”

    Lisa walked in and flipped on the balcony light. “What are you guys up to in the dark?” she teased, “nning some kind of surprise party out here or something?”

    Vivian facepalmed with a wry smile. “Lisa, sometimes you really don’t act your age.”

    Lisa wagged her finger with mock seriousness. “Hey Mom, this is called staying young at heart! You should be happy for me, it makes you look younger

    too!”

    Vivianughed and yfully scolded Lisa, then scooped Jessica up in her arms and chased after her.

    Maxine smiled as she watched them and moved to follow. Just as she reached for the light switch, her gaze drifted sideways, and in her peripheral vision, she caught sight of a familiar figure.

    Maxine froze mid–motion. ‘That figure just now looked exactly like Brian, but that can’t be right. He should be inside his house by nowi,/i‘ she thought.

    She looked toward the figure. Sure enough, Sebastian’s car was parked there, with Brian leaning against the window, apparently talking to someone

    inside.

    As soon as Maxine saw Sebastian step out from the back seat, their eyes met across the distance, and her heart skip averted her gaze, switched off the light, and almost bolted for the living room as if fleeing the scene.

    beat. Flustered, she quickly

    Maxine had no idea what brought the two men here today, but one thing was certain. Vivian couldn’t stand her so–called “womanizing ex–husband.”

    Maxine thought anxiously, I just hope Sebastian is here today to discuss business matters with Vivian, and nothing else.’

    Maxine felt a sudden panic. Vivian emerged from the kitchen carrying the cake and ced it bon /bthe table. Noticing the troubled look on Maxine’s face, she immediately grew concerned, leaned in, and pressed a hand bto /bMaxine’s forehead. “Are you sure you’re breally /bokay? You look absolutely dreadfulb,/bb” /bVivian asked, worry in her voice.

    Maxine shook her head. b“/bbNo/b, really, I’m okay. ljustb…/b”

    Before she could finish speaking, the doorbell rang.

    Lisa raised ber hand and said, “bDon’t /bworryb, /byou guys stay here, bI’ll /bget bit/bb!/b”

    08:14 Fri, b4 /bJul

    b87/bb% /b

    “Wait!” Maxine instinctively moved to follow, but Vivian stopped her from behind. “Lisa’s trained in self–defense, she’s better bat /bprotecting bherself /bthan you are.”

    “What?” Maxine gaspedb, /bstaring bat /bLisa’s seemingly frail back. “She looks so delicate, I never would’ve guessed she’s that tough!”

    12-25