I didn't say anything at that time. I just handed him the children's book.
“What is this, my wife?”
I answered, “It’s Vilhelmina's surprise for you. You should open and read on page 38.”
Maximilian flipped through the magazine. He then read the lines carefully for a long time without gradually stretching them out.
“Wow, my great daughter.” The corner of his mouth hooked up slightly. “I am really to have you and Vilhelmina by my side, otherwise I don't know how I'm going to step over this hurdle.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Maximilian rubbed himself up. He then reached out and wrapped his hand around my shoulders. I could see Maximilian seemed to have made up his mind.
“I've thought it over, my wife. No matter what the court decides and how the hospital disciplines me, as long as you and my daughter are by my side, everything can start from scratch. The big deal is that I will pay money to the families of the victims and go in and squat for two years. I then go abroad to open a clinic and continue to be a doctor. You'd better not say anything to Vilhelmina about this matter for now, honey. Tomorrow is her birthday, I want her to have a good time.”
I nodded. Looking at his longing expression full of relief, I sneered in the bottom of my heart. ‘Maximilian Kostomarov, tomorrow you will know the truth. If nothing unexpected happens, we should not see each other again.’
***
Today was Vilhelmina's birthday. The funeral parlor called me early in the morning to inform me that the cremation procedures were ready. I dragged the suitcase as I was about to go out. But I heard a knock on the door. It was Kimberly Beadsworth, an uninvited guest.
“What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
Before I could say anything, she stretched out her leg and squeezed in. Before I had time to react, a slap was thrown in my face.
“This is what you get for making a fool out of me in the office. After Mr Maximilian asked for the quilt back, Benedict's sickness started back and forth again and it's all your fault!”
I touched my throbbing cheek. A few seconds later I slapped her with my backhand.
Kimberly shouted, “How dare you?.”
Kimberly didn't expect me to hit back. She still stared in shock.
I shouted, “What do you mean, Kimberly? You're splashing around in my house first. Why can't I fight back?”