Semua Bab He choose the ice, now he wants me back: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Maxine’s POVThe coffee from the vending machine tasted like regret.It was bitter, slightly burnt, and far from what I actually needed, but it was quick, and right now that was all I had. I wrapped my fingers tightly around the paper cup as I hurried down the hallway, my steps echoing against the polished floor.I was late again.“Perfect,” I muttered under my breath, quickening my pace as I glanced at my wrist watch.Between Creed waking up frequently in the middle of the night these days and my brain refusing to shut off for a while now, sleep had been more of a suggestion than an actual event. I had overslept, rushed through the morning, nearly forgotten my bag, and now here I was speed walking to my office like my life depended on it which, professionally speaking, it kind of did.I turned the corner too quickly. My foot slipped and for a split second, everything tilted.The coffee lurched forward in my hand, my balance gone, and my heart jumping into my throat as I braced for

Hex’s POVI didn’t stop her, I just stood there, leaning slightly against the wall. I watched her as she pulled out her phone like she was about to file a formal complaint against me in real time.And somehow, I found it funny.It was not the situation or the fact that she had just shown up at my apartment after three years of silence.But her. This version of her was sharp, fired up and ready to drag me straight to my coach like I was some reckless rookie who needed supervision.A quiet chuckle slipped out before I could stop it.God, some things never change.Her head snapped up instantly, her eyes narrowing into that familiar glare that used to make me behave. “You think this is funny?” she huffed.I pushed off the wall slowly, raising my hands in mock surrender.“Come on, Max,” I said, my voice lighter than I felt. “I just need some time off.”She stared at me like I had just said the most ridiculous thing in the world.“You don’t decide that on your own,” she shot back. “That’

Maxine’s POVEverything was happening too fast.One moment, I was being shoved toward a gurney, my hands already moving on instinct and my brain switching into doctor mode despite the chaos in my chest. The next moment, I heard my name. “Maxine.” Reese’s voice cut through everything.I turned in the direction of his voice, my pulse still racing. My thoughts were scattered between two worlds I couldn’t seem to separate anymore.Reese stepped forward, already assessing the situation with a single glance.“I’ll handle this,” he said firmly.For a second, I just stared at him.A part of me wanted to argue and insist I could do my job but the other part, the louder part was screaming at me to go and find out what was wrong with my son. “Go,” Reese added, softer this time, his eyes settling on me.He wasn’t just looking at me, he was reading me and unfortunately, he could see ev

Maxine’s POVIt had been five long, suffocating, and emotionally draining days since I had been away from work.Five days of hospital walls, quiet prayers, forced strength, and sleepless nights spent watching my son breathe.But now, Creed is better. He was smiling and laughing again and that was enough for me. I walked into my office early that morning, my heels clicking softly against the floor and my shoulders squared like I had something to prove.My desk looked exactly the same as I had left it.It was neat, organized and professional, a stark contrast to the chaos that had been my life for the past few days.Pushing my feet into my work crocs, I exhaled slowly, setting my bag down before sinking into my chair.For a moment, I just sat there letting the silence settle in my head while I regulated my breathing. After a while, I reached for the file waiting at the center of my desk.The fi

Hex’s POV“I'm not going to sign it so let go,” she said, her voice snapping me out of whatever trance I had slipped into.I blinked, suddenly aware of how close we were and how my hand was still wrapped around her wrist like I had no intention of letting her go.I released her immediately like I had just touched fire and she stepped back, putting distance between us. Her movements were controlled but not quite steady. I watched as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding my gaze for a second like she needed that small moment to pull herself together.And I let her because I was still trying to process what had just happened.“I will speak to the management,” she said, her voice firm again, slipping back into that professional tone she wore like an armor. “You’re my patient. I’m not clearing you for a trade off.”It hit me fully then.She wasn’t signing it and she was actually going to stop the trade from happening. A grin broke across my face before I could stop it, s