Saving the Villain

Maxen pressed his lips into a thin line. His expression was plain; no one could read what sort of thoughts were flowing in his mind. After a second, he advanced in their direction, stopping a step from Cosette and Asher.

"Let\'s go," he said quietly, reaching for her arm.

"Max, I —"

"Let\'s talk later." Maxen cut her off before she could say anything, shifting his attention to Asher. "The party was great, and it is a shame we have to leave early. Thank you for having me and my wife."

Maxen didn\'t idle or wait for Asher\'s reply as he faced Cosette. "Come," was what he said, dragging her with him as gently but firmly as he could.

"Wait, Max —" Cosette glanced at her husband\'s side profile before looking back at Asher. The latter was left standing in the same spot, looking at them blankly.

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Cosette fidgeted with her fingers, constantly glancing in Maxen\'s direction. Maxen was driving; he hadn\'t said a word since he dragged her to their car until now. He also hadn\'t shown any strong reaction, but his silence was stifling, making her nervous with every passing second.

Did he hear everything? Since when did he come back? Or did he only hear snippets of her conversation with Asher? Myriads of questions hovered over her head, and she didn\'t know where to start.

"Max," she whispered when she couldn\'t take it anymore. "Are we going home?"

"Mhm."

Cosette bit her inner lip, keeping her observant eye on his side profile. "About earlier… did you… have you been there for long?"

"Mhm." Her reaction to his quick and short hum was a mix of surprise and confusion. "I was on my way to fetch the car, but I changed my mind. Asher Quinn is someone I can never trust. Leaving my wife with him sounds irresponsible. So I came back."

"I see…" Cosette peeled her eyes from him, gazing at her hands on her lap. "So you heard everything, huh?"

"Mhm."

There was a moment of silence between the two of them before a whisper slipped past her lips. "Then… that means you also heard about… my condition."

"Mhm."

"Mhm?" Cosette copied his hum as she raised her head once again. "Is that your only response, Max? A hum? Why aren\'t you saying anything? Your wife is dying, and she is keeping it a secret from you. Shouldn\'t you get mad now that you found out about it in a way she didn\'t plan?"

His expression didn\'t budge, making her clutch her dress tightly. "Won\'t you ask me questions about why I kept it a secret? Won\'t you ask me how long will I last? Will you not suggest I need to get treatment? Max, you should say something at this point, right?"

"Mhm…" Maxen hummed once again, slowing down. "I did."

"Huh?"

"I did tell you to get treatment. I also asked a series of questions and even argued with you." His voice was calm, with a tinge of repressed emotions. "You probably forgot about it."

Cosette\'s face went blank, looking at him wide-eyed. Meanwhile, Maxen slowly pulled over to the side of the road. He kept his hands on the steering wheel, lowering his eyes as he recalled how he found out about her condition.

******

[ FLASHBACK ]

Just some time ago, Maxen\'s life was perfect. His career and business were progressing smoothly, and he was married to the most beautiful woman his eyes laid upon. He thought nothing would go wrong; that this would be the same if he worked hard to give his wife and their children a life full of opportunities.

But alas… this perfect life crumbled down overnight.

At first, he thought Cosette was simply being forgetful. She would leave things in strange places, ask strange questions she wouldn\'t forget, and even prepare for events that had already happened. The first time just seemed silly, but the more frequently these things happen, the more his concern grew.

Until…

One particular night, in the middle of the night, Cosette got up from their bed. Maxen was a light sleeper, so he would wake up at any slight movement.

"Cozie…?" he called, groggy. "Babe, where are you going?"

Cosette quietly flung her legs out of the bed and looked back at him. "I\'ll prepare your lunchbox." She smiled.

Deep lines appeared between his brows, watching his wife get out of bed. She picked up her silk robe and wrapped it around her before leaving the bedroom quietly.

"Prepare my lunchbox?" Maxen lazily sat up, cocking his head to the side. "But I\'m on vacation leave."

It was Cosette\'s routine to make Maxen a lunchbox to make sure he was getting enough nutrition every day. Therefore, he deemed it as Cosette following her routine and forgetting he wouldn\'t go to work to spend the weekend with her.

Maxen glanced at the clock on the bedside table. "It\'s just past 2 in the morning." That was earlier than she would get up. He shook his head, getting out of bed to remind his wife there was no need to bother.

Maxen went straight to the kitchen, only to see Cosette already chopping the ingredients. He stopped by the entrance, leaning his side against the wall with his arms folded under his chest.

"Babe," he called, but the sound of the knife hitting the chopping board continued. "It\'s 2 in the morning, and I\'m on vacation leave."

Cosette stopped, holding the knife and carrot still. She blinked once, and life and reality slowly returned to her eyes.

"There\'s no need to prepare me lunch box. Let\'s go back to bed," he added, staring at Cosette\'s back. Just when he thought she would turn around and make silly remarks, she continued chopping. "Cozie."

"I will still make you one," was what she said without facing him.

Maxen frowned. He unfolded his arms and marched inside the kitchen. But just as he came closer, he froze, seeing some tears land on the chopping board.

"I want to make my husband as many lunchboxes as I could. Maybe ten years\' worth?" Cosette slowly turned her head in his direction, smiling until her eyes were mere slits. "In that case, I am sure he will get enough nutrition for the next ten years."

"Cozie…" Even though she was smiling so brightly, her eyes were tearing up. Without thinking anything, he took enormous steps and reached his hand to her. "Baby, is something the matter? Why are you crying?"

Maxen pulled her close to him, cupping her cheek. Worry dominated his face, wiping her tears with his thumb.

Her squinting eyes cracked open, smiling warmly at him. "Max," she whispered.

"I…" her voice cracked as more tears overflowed from her eyes. "... am scared."