98
Dawson planned to give Maxine a real marriage certificate on that day. Then, they would finally be true husband and wife.
It turned out that after Dawson left the hospital with Elise, he said to her, “Tomorrow, we’ll file for divorce. You’re Elijah’s godmother now- you don’t need that certificate anymore.“{
In the past few days, Dawson had done a lot of thinking. He realized his feelings for Elise were no longer what they once were; he mostly saw her only as Elijah’s mother.
And Maxine, whom he once thought was just a substitute, had somehow become an irreplaceable part of his life.
Elise had cried and caused scenes, but he told her, “Don’t worry–you will always be Elijah’s mother. The wedding you want, I will give you -on one condition: you behave yourself around Maxine.“}
<-8
Dawson spent the entire night watching meteor showers with me.
The next two days, he didn’t come home, claiming to be busy preparing for the adoption ceremony.
But I knew the truth–he was busy planning his wedding with Elise.
Once the adoption ceremony was over, he’d use a business trip as an excuse to take Elise to a private island for their wedding and honeymoon.
But none of it mattered anymore.
Before going to bed, Dawson sent me a message.
[Maxine, wait for a big surprise from your husband.]}
[Okay.] I replied with a smile.
[I’ve got a surprise for you too–one you’ll never forget.]}
In the days leading up to the ceremony, Elise sent me countless disgusting videos.§
1 silently saved them all.
The night before the adoption ceremony, Dawson called me, full of excitement, saying he would pick me up early the next morning. “Maxine, tomorrow I’ll make you the happiest woman and mother in the world.“>
I glanced around the home I had lived in for nine years.
The garden, the murals, the floors, the crystal chandelier–all designed, chosen, and arranged by us together.
Upstairs and downstairs, I could still hear the echoes of laughter and embraces shared with Dawson.
But fleeting clouds and false affections never last.
“Alright. Good night, Dawson.“}
I hung up, pulled out the SIM card, broke it into pieces, and tossed it in the trash.
Half an hour later, the rhythmic flash of car headlights appeared by the roadside.} Dragging my luggage, I walked into the vast darkness.
-8
“Maxine!“?
Dawson woke up suddenly from a nightmare, with Elise sleeping beside him.§
In his dream, they were watching the meteor shower together when suddenly, Maxine fell into an endless abyss.
He was drenched in sweat, desperate to find her, but she was nowhere to be found.
Elise mumbled, hugging his waist, “Dawson, it’s still the middle of the night…“} But Dawson couldn’t calm down. He pushed her away and called his assistant.”
“As soon as the civil affairs office opens, go get the marriage certificate. We must have it before the adoption ceremony.” “Don’t worry, Mr. Patterson. Our people are already waiting outside the office.“>
Dawson drove home as fast as he could.@
‘Maxine’s phone was unreachable. Please, don’t let anything happen!‘ he thought.”
At a crossroads, a black sedan brushed past him.”
His phone slipped out of his hand onto the carpet, revealing the last message she sent yesterday.
[I promise it’s a surprise you’ll never forget. J
