Maverick's brows furrowed slightly. His hand fell on the woman's cheeks to stroke them gently. He lowered his head and kissed the woman's enticing lips softly.
 

Maverick knew his actions were hurting Valencia, but he just didn't know how to make her happy. He didn't want to let her go. Never did he. Even he doesn't know what he categorizes this silly woman as.
 
Suddenly, Valencia's brows scrunched up, and she smacked her lips together as if she were having a nightmare. 
 
Maverick's expression softened, and he extended his hand to smoothen the crease in between her brows. Soon, Valencia's expression turned calm, and she continued sleeping lightheartedly.
 

Maverick's index finger pauses its action. His enigmatic eyes fell on the sleeping Valencia. Just what is he going to do to this silly woman?
 
The sudden vibration of Maverick's phone placed on the nightstand jolted Maverick awake from his reverie.
 

Maverick extended his hand to pick up his phone before peering at the screen. Upon seeing the caller's ID, his expression changed. 
 
Maverick got off the bed and strode out of the room for the balcony in a fast yet quiet stride as if he didn't want to wake Valencia up. 
 
Maverick casually leaned against the wall, and he tucked his hand into his pocket before picking up the call, his eyes gazing at the family scenery.
 
"Maverick." Tatiana’s docile, soft, and happy coquettish voice invaded Maverick's ear as soon as he picked up the call.
 
Tatiana gripped the phone in panic, and she quickly waved her hand. "Ah, Maverick, I... I just wanted to try I didn't expect you to pick up my call. It's early in the morning I'm sorry I woke you up." Tatiana's panicking and trembling soft voice immediately sounded.
 
Maverick tucked his hands into his pocket, and his brows furrowed. "HM. What's it?" His voice sounded cold and indifferent.
 
Tatiana froze slightly, and her fist clenched at the cold tone. A sense of fury overwhelmed her immediately. However, none of it was displayed in her tone. 
 
Tatiana bit her lower lip, and her expression turned teary. Her voice became shaky, and she was blamed. "Maverick, I'm sorry for annoying you. It's just that the thought of leaving the hospital today made me excited and unable to sleep. I. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have disturbed Maverick... Maverick has been busy with work. Maverick should be taking a rest now. How can I wake you up just because I want to remind you to pick me up? I'm sorry. It's just that only Maverick cares about me the most, so I can't help sharing the news." Tatiana’s eyes reddened, and her shoulder trembled. Vivid in her voice were self-blame, loneliness, and grievances.
 
Tatiana’s expression changed, and her fist clenched. Ever since Maverick brought the apple, he has never even called or appeared in Tatiana’s presence. Maverick’s tone was very dismissive, unlike before. 
 
After all of the things Tatiana has gone through for Maverick’s sake, Tatiana can't watch Maverick leave her for another woman. She definitely can’t. 
 
An enigmatic glint flickered past Maverick's eyes, and his expression softened. Maverick ran his hand through his hair and stared straight into the distance. "I..."
 
"Maverick, i. There's no need for Maverick to pick me up. It’s just that I want to visit Mom and Dad. Can I? I missed them a lot." Tatiana's voice was filled with understanding and softness. She sniffed softly. 
 
"I'll be there." Maverick firmly stated, and without waiting for Tatiana's response, he cut off the call.
 
Tatiana's expression changed, and the phone placed next to her ear fell to her side. Her hands balled into a fist, and she gritted her teeth with swirling emotions overwhelming her. 
 
If she hadn’t acted or mentioned the Vandenberg family, Tatiana had the inkling that Maverick would never appear to pick her up. That damn vixen. It’s her fault. Ever since Valencia arrived, nothing has been going Tatiana's way!
 
Recalling what Bailey said, Tatiana's chest heaved and fell heavily, and her breath emitted in waves. She gnashed her teeth together. She can't sit still. No, she can’t. 
 
Today, Valencia had to leave Maverick's side. Tatian clenched her fist, a wicked glint flickering past her eyes. She'll make sure of it!
 
As soon as Maverick left the balcony, he strode into the bathroom. It was several minutes after that that Maverick stepped out of the bathroom with a towel, clad around his waist. Soon, Maverick was done with the necessaries.
. 
His eyes fell on the adorable woman sleeping on the bed, and a faint trace of joy unconsciously sprouted in his mind, making his lips curve up.
 
Maverick placed a kiss on Valencia's forehead before turning and leaving the bedroom. 
 
"Boss." Finley bowed to Maverick as soon as he stepped out of the master bedroom.
 
Maverick fixed his wristwatch in place and continued to make his way towards the door. "Do the formalities. I'll pick her up." Maverick articulated, talking about Tatiana.
 
Without waiting for Finley's response, Maverick stepped out of the mansion and made his way towards the car in a long, fast stride.
 
"Yes, boss." Finley bowed slightly before following Maverick into the car.
 
The driver hurriedly opened the passenger door and bowed in greeting. 
 
Maverick indifferently entered the car before sitting on the passenger seat aloofly. Immediately, he extended his hand and picked up his laptop before placing it on his thigh.
 
Finley sat next to the driver's seat, and the driver immediately started the car.
 
Maverick tugged his tie slightly. A thought flickered in his mind, making his fingers which rapidly tapped on the laptop come to a stop.
 
The silly woman in the bedroom must be very bored with being locked up, isn't she? 
 
As soon as Maverick returns from the Vandenberg mansion, he'll take Valencia on a date to a restaurant. Perhaps the both of them can talk and settle on an agreement, right?
 
Thinking like this, Maverick's lips unconsciously curved up, and his finger tapping on the laptop became rapid, his cold aura unconsciously diminishing, making his whole person turn warm.
 
....
 
"Maverick." Tatiana jumped down from the bed and hurried towards Maverick as soon as Maverick stepped into the ward. She was dressed in a white gown, and her hair fell past her shoulder, giving her a soft and pure look. She stretched her hand and hugged Maverick tightly before burrowing into his embrace. 
 
Tatiana’s eyes turned teary, and her body began to tremble with mixed emotions. “Maverick, you came for me. I knew it. Maverick had always cared about me the most. Only Maverick cares.” Her eyes reddened, and she cried out in a pitiful, docile voice, her whole body trembling.
 
Maverick's expression softened, and he patted the woman’s back before separating her from him. “Can we leave now? Have you packed everything?” He inquired in a calm voice. 
 
Tatiana’s sad expression froze, and she could only part her lips due to the overwhelming emotions flickering past her eyes. He didn’t even drive. Normally, Maverick would have comforted her and apologized, but now he doesn’t care!
 
Tatiana had to dig her fingers into her palm to stop herself from revealing the emotions that planned to overwhelm her face.
 
Tatiana’s eyes turned watery, and she bit her lower lips, stealing an aggrieved look at Maverick before nodding her head. “I...” suddenly, Tatiana’s eyes turned dim, and her expression turned downcast. 
 
Tatiana parted her lips as if to say a word, but at the end she shut her lips, repeating her actions a couple of times.
 
Maverick's brows arched, and his cold expression softened. “What’s it?” He questioned. 
 
“It. It’s nothing…'' Before Tatiana could complete her sentence, Maverick's cold eyes fell on her.
 
Tatiana’s face flushed, and she lowered her head before twisting her fingers gently. “It’s just that I misplaced my phone I can’t find it ever since I returned from the bathroom.” Tatiana conveyed in a gentle, aggrieved voice, her eyelashes fluttered, and a trace of distress overwhelmed her expression, making her look pitiful.
 
“Can Maverick lend me your phone? I want to call my number.” Tatiana stole a look at Maverick and bit her lower lip as if she were afraid that Maverick would reject her request.
 
Maverick tucked his hand into his pocket trousers and unlocked his phone before handing it to her casually. 
 
“Maverick, thank you.” Tatiana beamed joyfully and hurriedly tapped on the phone app. She tapped her number offhand and quickly dialed it.
 
Soon, a ring sounded from the bathroom. Tatiana’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly began to trace the ringing tone. 
 
She stepped into the bathroom, and within a few seconds, she stepped out of the bathroom holding her phone, a bashful smile on her face. 
 
“I can’t believe that I’ve been looking for it in the ward when it’s actually in the bathroom. Thank you, Maverick." Tatiana seethed in a voice filled with joy.
 
Tatiana exhaled in relief and stretched Maverick's phone towards Maverick. “Maverick, we can leave now?” She enthusiastically asked
 
Maverick's lips curled up, and his eyes fell on the demure and bashful smile on Tatiana’s face in amusement. “Happy now?”
 
Tatiana nodded her head eagerly, like a chicken pecking rice, and smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Maverick." Immediately, Tatiana extended her hand and wrapped it around Maverick’s hand. “Maverick, we can leave.” She responded eagerly. 
 
Maverick threw his phone into his pocket and nodded his head indifferently. Immediately, he began to strode out of the room with Tatiana holding his hand cockily. 
 
A guard strode towards Tatiana’s little luggage that was placed on the bed, and he picked it up. He left the ward immediately. 
 
‘Look. Look. It’s Maverick Vandenberg and Tatiana Austergaard.’ Eager yells suddenly invaded Maverick and Tatiana’s ears as soon as they stepped out of the hospital. 
 
Before the two could blink, several reporters crowded Maverick and Tatiana and began to take shots of them.
 
‘Maverick Vandenberg, why are you with Miss Tatiana in the hospital?’
Maverick Vandenberg, Is it true that Tatiana Austergaard is pregnant and that her position as Mrs. Vandenberg has been finalized?
Tatiana Austergaard, please say a word. Does the Vandeberg family accept you as the illegitimate daughter of a family? Besides, it’s clear that Maverick Vandenberg wanted to marry Miss Valencia six years ago do you have anything to say about it…’
 
 
Tatiana’s expression changed at the last sentence spoken by the reporter, and her eyes pooled with tears, her lips began to quiver. 
 
Maverick’s expression turned chilling, and his eyes turned piercingly cold. “Enough!” He coldly bellowed, putting a stop to the reporters' repeated badgering of questions. 
 
Without even waiting for Maverick’s command, Finley opened up a line for the two to pass.
 
Maverick protectively wrapped his hands around the trembling Tatiana and strode towards the car, leading her carefully. 
 
As soon as they got into the car, Tatiana wrapped her hands around Maverick, sad tears trickling down her eyes. Her eyes reddened, and her whole body was shivering. 
 
“Maverick, I know my birth ruined a family, but it wasn’t my fault, was it? I also want to have a mother and father who are not ashamed of my birth. I also want a parent who loves me dearly. Maverick, what do I do? I tried to pay for my sins, but still, I’m being hated for my existence. How do I atone for my sins? How do I?” Tatiana cried out loudly. 
 
Maverick’s expression softened, and he wrapped his hands around her before gently patting her back.