Saving the Villain

But Conrad was fine even right this second.

Conrad was living life the way he wanted to, and that alone was something Cosette was grateful for. She didn\'t have to organize a funeral in this lifetime.

She was also grateful that Maxen didn\'t have to go join hands with the notorious criminal organization. Maxen didn\'t turn out to become the monster she used to know, but a loving and understanding man with morals and conscience.

Maxen changed; his life changed because she stepped into his life before he could make a turn of no return. And because Maxen changed, many people\'s lives changed as well. For instance, Remo.

Even though Remo was a minor character, he used to play a big part in Maxen\'s criminal life. Remo, in their previous life, was Maxen\'s right-hand man. The details of his story and how he became Maxen\'s hellhound were never clear to Cosette, but what she was certain was it had something to do with Remo\'s grandfather.

Now, Remo was a military man slowly climbing up the ranks because of his hard work in fighting for justice and his country.

Luke, on the other hand, didn\'t die. Instead of becoming a bitter second young master of the Quinn family, who would return after studying abroad, Luke became a successful businessman. Without anyone\'s financial help or relying on the Quinn family\'s connection, Luke established and stabilized his business. If that wasn\'t a great result, Cosette didn\'t know what to call it. After all, Luke was in a happier place in life than he ever was as the son of a conglomerate empire.

Asher as well. Cosette still kept her communication with Asher. Even though the two of them would rarely exchange emails, Cosette was certain from his emails that he was doing great. He used to dream of wearing a lab coat, but he had always thought he was destined for a different career. But now, Asher was pursuing the dream and passion he never thought he would.

As for the rest, like Sarah, Fay, and Amie, they were people Cosette had never met in her previous life. However, they were people she was glad and thankful to have met in this lifetime. They were people who valued their friendship just as much as she valued it. Cosette couldn\'t remember anyone in her previous life who was just as genuine as the three of them.

"So, why are you disappointed, Cosette?" Cosette asked herself quietly as tears rolled down her cheek. "You… succeeded, didn\'t you? Why are you crying?"

Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, allowing the silence to embrace her tightly. It wasn\'t like Cosette didn\'t expect this outcome. She didn\'t dwell on it, yes. But that didn\'t mean she hadn\'t prepared herself.

Still, knowing she still had her illnesses a lot earlier made her… sad. It didn\'t surprise her or frightened her. It just made her sad, knowing her time was numbered.

"How… do I say goodbye?" she asked herself, and all the answers she came up with were nothing.

Thinking about Conrad, her grandparents Marcel and Gretchen, her friends, and even the people in the Blac Mansion, Cosette couldn\'t bring herself to tell them that she was dying. That, in no time, she might forget about them and they have to watch her deteriorate.

"What should I do…?" came out a whisper, her lips quivering.

Knock knock.

The silence embracing Cosette broke when a knock came from outside the driver\'s seat. Cosette slowly raised her head, seeing Maxen bent over while knocking on the window mildly.

"Max…" she whispered, smiling, despite knowing she might be in trouble. Cosette sniffed hard and wiped her eyes, making sure he wouldn\'t notice she was crying. When she checked herself one last time in the rear mirror, Cosette forced a smile before getting out of the driver\'s seat.

Maxen stepped back as the door opened, watching her come out. His brows were raised, while his questions were at the tip of his tongue.

"Max," she called as soon as she faced him, but his response was a frown.

"Were you crying?"

"Huh?"

Maxen didn\'t speak, reaching out his hand to cup her cheek. "You were crying, were you?"

Cosette pressed her lips into a thin line, biting her inner lower lip. She gazed at him while his eyes were focused on her.

\'What did I expect?\' she thought. \'Of course, he would notice. He is my husband, after all.\'

"Won\'t you ask me first where I went?" she brought up, watching him snap his eyes ever so slowly back to her. "Knowing you, I\'m pretty sure you already know that I didn\'t go straight to work."

"You will tell me if you want to." Maxen retrieved his hand, sighing. "Although I am upset you are now lying to your husband, I\'m certain there was a good reason for that."

"Aren\'t you afraid I\'m already having an affair?"

"Why would I?" Maxen raised a phone, shaking it mildly as he added, "how are you going to meet your lover if you don\'t have this?"

Cosette slowly shifted her eyes to the phone, furrowing her brows. That was her phone, and she knew that at first glance.

"You left it in the fridge," said Maxen while she shifted her eyes back to him. "I don\'t know why you would leave it in the fridge, of all places, but here. The first day of work is nerve-racking. I felt the same when Dad took me to the office."

Maxen handed her the phone, which she accepted languidly.

"Now, will you tell me where you went?" he asked as she held the phone, cocking his head to the side. "Your superior told me that you still have an hour before your duty. Can you please tell me the truth? Where did you go early in the morning, Cosette?"