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Cosette watched him eat to his heart's content, offering him warm smiles from time to time and reminding him to chew slowly. Even though he was intimidating in front of others, Maxen could be so silly within the comforts of their home. In other words, Cosette was the only person who knew this side of him.

"I remember the last time, dad was trying to trade my lunch box with an island in the eastern continent…" Maxen trailed off as he lifted his eyes back to her, only to catch her not touching her food. Cosette was just staring at him with a conflicted look in her eyes.

He swallowed hard and reached for a glass of water before he asked. "Baby, is there something wrong?"

"Should I quit?" she asked without beating around the bush while Maxen furrowed his brows. He didn't answer immediately, drinking a glass of water before putting it beside his plate.

"What did you say?"

"Should I quit my job?"

Confusion instantly dominated his face. "Is this because you forgot about the merging? I'm not angry about it. My point there was, I'm just a little concerned —"

"It's not about that." Cosette shook her head and forced a smile. "I mean, I love my job and the kids. But it's been in my head for quite some time now."

Maxen leaned back, keeping his eyes on her.

"You have been busy, and I know despite how hectic your schedule was, you always squeeze time for me. However, there were times our schedule wouldn't meet." She maintained her countenance, mixing a part of the truth to conceal the real reason behind it. "I missed you, Max. I missed Dad, Grandpa, and Grandma. My husband earns well that even if I don't go to work, I can live luxuriously."

"I just realized I haven't been visiting Dad for quite some time. I'm sure he missed me just as much as I do. So, I was thinking, since I'm not pressured enough to make a living, why not use it to spend more time with my family and friends?"

Maxen listened to what she got to say, blinking ever so tenderly. What she said didn't make sense. It would be if they were a family who lived paycheck to paycheck. However, it was not a secret Cosette's choice of career was never about the money.

She could live a luxurious life with or without Maxen's income, even if she splurged every day. That was the life Conrad made sure for his daughter. Her reason to become a public servant had a much deeper reason, which both of them were so aware of.

So, what was she talking about now?

"Is that what you truly want?" he asked instead of the other questions in his head.

Cosette pressed her lips but maintained a short smile. She rocked her head and whispered, "yes," sincerely.

It wasn't a lie.

Cosette loved her career. Her students were already a part of her life, taking a large portion of her heart. However, her doctor was right. With her deteriorating condition, Cosette would soon feel the effects of it. Not only she would then put herself in danger, but others as well.

So instead of putting those students at risk, Cosette had to make a hard decision. It was hard, but it didn't feel like it when she knew that giving up her career also meant spending more time with her family.

"Well, if that is what you want." Maxen leaned over, stretching his hand over the table to reach hers. He squeezed her hand mildly, nodding at her reassuringly. "Just tell me if there's something more you want to tell me. Until then, I won't ask for the real reason, hmm?"

Of course, he noticed, she thought. Maxen knew her from inside and out, but he was the type who wouldn't pry. He would wait for her to tell him, instead of urging her.

If only he knew how much he would regret not prying.

"Of course." Cosette clipped her thumb on his hand, nodding. "But I'm not lying."

"I know it was part of the truth." Maxen smacked his lips, not putting too much thought into her sudden change of heart about her career. "Anyway, the Quinn Holding is inviting us to attend their anniversary. I was debating whether I should grab the opportunity or ignore it."

"Why are you thinking of ignoring it? Isn't that a good opportunity?"

Maxen released her hand and leaned back, shrugging. "I don't necessarily need it." He cocked his head and asked, "do you want to come?"

"Mhm." Cosette smiled, putting the previous topic at the back of her mind. "I need more excuses to spend time with my husband. Attending such a gathering would give me a great opportunity to be with him for official business matters."

"I think my secretary's position is vacant. You can always apply if you want. With your qualifications, you're overqualified." Maxen winked at her, humoring her, which made her laugh.

The two of them continued to enjoy the nice dinner, putting back the topic of Cosette quitting her job. They didn't dwell on it, knowing a long weekend would pass by in a blink of an eye. Hence, they chose to enjoy each other's company in a world where there were only the two of them.

******

Meanwhile, in the head office of the neurology department. Doctor Matthew stared at the man sitting across from him on the set of couches in his office.

"Let me guess. The reason you are so deep in thought is that of a girl."

Asher snapped his eyes at the person across from him, only to see Doctor Matthew shaking his head in disbelief.

"I knew it," said Doctor Matthew as he poured himself a glass of wine. "So who is it? The lucky girl who caught the attention of the talented Asher Quinn?"

"Mat, do you have a patient who comes to you for a check-up because they wanted to conceive?" Asher ignored the other person's nonsense, trying to get enlightenment.

"Huh??"

"I mean, someone who wanted to conceive a child but wants to make sure she was in the best shape," Asher clarified, which by the looks of it, only added to Matthew's confusion.

"I get what you are talking about and I did have some clients who came to me for such a reason. Most of them have a pre-existing condition in their heads." Doctor Matthew picked up the glass of wine and leaned back. "Why are you asking me?"

"Do you have a patient like that now?"

"You do understand that I signed a confidentiality agreement, right? I can't disclose my patient's information even if we are friends."

Asher signed. "I'm not asking for details, and I'm not your friend right now. I'm a fellow doctor."

Doctor Matthew tried to argue but ended up sighing and shaking his head. Asher had a point.

"No, I don't," he answered.

"That's strange."

"What strange?"

Asher cast Matthew a look, but his mind drifted into the memory of today's event.

"I'm sure," came out a whisper, slowly refocusing his eyes back to Matthew with determination shining in them. "She came from your office."