hinking about one thing, 'how can I make Maverick stop being angry at me and Mom?' No matter how cold a

to be a way to reach hi

way to the kitchen. The mansion was still quiet, most of the staff n

said softly. "Can I please

with surprised eyes. She wasn't used to

him, Miss Roseline?"

all smile. "Please. I just wan

owly. "Alright. But you won't do it alone. I'll

ed eagerly an

f hash, and some sliced veggies on the side. It was her late father's favorite breakfast, and whenever he was

cking eggs when a deep voic

y are you the

epfather standing at the kitchen

or Maverick-" she began to explain,

dn't bring you and your mom here to be housemaids. Ther

seline tried t

smiling and nodding toward the maid, who stepped for

in, stepping away from the stove. S

m," he said warmly. "Watch

en. She headed to the living room, where her mother

" Alodia asked when she

erick," Roseline replied, dropping onto the sofa bes

r. "Your Dad is right. You don't need to do everything to win over Maverick. He has

I just wanted to d

lose. "I know you do. And that shows your heart i

m food were laid out neatly-steaming rice, golden fried eggs, beef steak, and por

t every now and then, she

k at the same time. Their fingers almost tou

t, big brother,"

her again for calling him that nickname-but then, for the first time,

whispered, reali

he mood, smiled and picked

line," he said cheerfully. "You can ge

eetly, giving him a thankful

He was gripping his fork and knife too tightly,

and stood up sharply, the chair

loud and firm. "I think it's better if I j

rn. "Sell that condo. We have a big enough house here. You don

of pain and anger. "I'd rather live there

stormed away from the table and cli

o say. Roseline sat still, her heart heavy with guilt. She had

gave it a gentle squeeze under the table. Roseline

on't turn your back on me when I'm still talking!

ff the tall ceilings and polished walls. He looked r

im. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, silently begging him not t

ogether on her lap. She hated loud voices. Every shout from Henrik felt like a strike to her heart.

But Maverick didn't stop. He didn't even slow down. Without a single

haustion. He moved quickly, opening his closet and dragging out a large suitcase. He threw it on the bed and began stuffing

e too. But even with two large bags, it wasn't enough t

The nights he waited for his mom to come home. The disappointment in his father's eyes when the marriage ended. And now,

hone and called hi

quickly. As soon as he ended the call, he

the second one, the

away. "Dean, hurry up-" But when

s Ros

, her face pale, her eyes worrie

room?" he asked sharply,

r shirt. "You don't have to do that. I'll leave instead," she said i

ovement at the door, he glanced over and saw Dean standing there. With a small wave of his h

adjusting the strap of his suitcase. "Wouldn't it be better for you and your

not... that's not what we want. Not me. Not Mom. We're not here for money, or this

omething in his expression shifted-just a little. The

erness in his voice. "I'm not a kid anymore, Roseline. I wouldn't have gotten t

ve the room when Roseline suddenly ran toward

froze on

t go. I don't want anyone else to leave or be hurt... not b

er small hands clung to the bac

e, her tears-they hit him harder than he expected. He felt something d

t reach for her. He

ritted teeth, each word slower than the

ow-not with anger, but wi

lled only with heavy breathing, unspoken feeli