The Queen's Back

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Barbara watched Maxwell as he walked away, feeling utterly frustrated. She marle an effort to talk to him the whole time he was in the kitchen, yet he remained cold and indifferent. He could not even feign a smile. At the same time, ironically, Barbara's longing for Maxwell's love intensified. She could not wait for the day when he would shower her with endless attention. Mona would be driven crazy with jealousy at the sight of that. In the room, Maxwell first placed the noodles on the table. Then, he gently lifted Mona from the bed and carefully settled her onto the sofa.

His movements were incredibly gentle as if Mona were as fragileas glass, ready to break with even the slightest misstep. As soon as Maxwell entered the room, Mona caught the delicious aroma of the noodles. She had been starving. Seeing the glistening sunny side up in front of her, Mona picked up her fork and took a bite. The rich taste of the egg. combined with the savory broth, had her reaching for a second bite almost immediately.

She gave Maxwell a thumbs-up and praised, "This tastes amazing! Your cooking skills have improved again"

Maxwell's lips could not help but curve into a smile at Mona's praise. Sitting next to her, he said. "I'm glad you like it. Just let me know anytime you're craving something, I'll make it for you

"What if it's something you don't know how to make?" Mona asked playfully.

I don't know how, I'll just learn. I'm sure I can pick it up in no time. You just wait to enjoy the meal. Maxwell said confidently.

"That's so sweet of you. You should eat soon, ifthe noodles sit too long, they'll get soggy, Mona said, smiling.

Looking back on her life, she knew that the best decision she ever made was marrying Maxwell and becoming Mrs. Carter.

Later that night, Maxwell helped Mona to apply medicine again. With the experience from the first time, everything went more smoothly.

As Mona's injury was on her side, Maxwell could not hold her close while they slept like he usually did. He thus left a bit of space between them.

As Maxwell lay beside Mona, he felt a little unsettled not holding her. It felt almost like they were back in the early days of their engagement

Maxwell was not the only one feeling out of place. Mona felt odd sleeping alone without the usual source of warmth beside

her too.

"Maxwell, are you asleep?" Mona asked softly, looking over at him through the dim glow of the night.

With the injury on her side, Mona could not lie on it comfortably. Hence, she could only catch a glimpse of Maxwell out of the corner of her eyeNôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

"No, it feels strange sleeping like this tonight, Maxwell replied.

Mona nodded and said, "Same here. Come a little closer to me.

Maxwell had already wanted to move closer to Mona, but he was worried about accidentally bumping her injury.

But since Mona asked him to, he gladly shifted closer to her side

As Maxwell moved closer, Mona felt the warmth radiating from him, along with his soft, fresh scent. She closed her eyes.

wrapped her arm around his, and said, "T'm going to sleep now, honey. Goodnight."

It was a sleepless night that passed by quietly.

After breakfast the next day, Maxwell left for work. Mona felt well enough to go to the office, as long as she avoided straining her back. However. Maxwell and her grandparents all objected to the idea.

Just before Maxwell left the room, he slipped a tablet into Monas hands. He persuaded, "Take it easy, catch up on some shows, or scroll through Twitter. Wait a couple of days before going back to the office. It's not like I'll dock your pay if you miss a few days of work. What's there to worry about?" "Alright, you've got a point. I'll take it easy at home for two days Mona replied, though she was not thrilled about it.

Maxwell nodded slightly. He then ruled Mona's hair and left the room, closing the door behind him.

After Maxwell left, Mona took his advice and started scrolling through Twitter.

As Maxwell was leaving the house, he met Barbara waiting right by the door.

"Would you mind giving me a ride, Maxwell? I am not driving today," Barbara asked.

Barbara had put extra effort into dressing up today. She specially picked out a pink dress with tiny floral prints that felt perfect for spring.

"No. There's a driver at home," Maxwell rejected decisively. With that, he drove off from the Clem family residence without

a glance in Barbara's direction.

Even

On the way to the Clem Group, Maxwell messaged Nigel, asking him to wait at the entrance of the office building. Maxwell planned to pass him Emily's phone to recover its contents.

At the same time, Mona was living the good life at home. Her food was prepared and served right to her, all she had to do

was eat

While casually scrolling through Twitter, she suddenly saw a photo of someone resembling Ava in an entertainment new post. Mona clicked it open without much thought

The photo was enlarged. It was a picture of a woman in a white T-shirt, wearing a baseball cap and a black mask in the middle of the night. Only her bright eyes could be seen but Mona was entirely sure that it was Ava. The most eye-catching part was the man next to her and the caption which read: [The mystery girlfriend of the award-winning actor).

Mona took a quick screenshot and sent a message over to Ava. [What's going on here? Are you seeing that actor now?) Ava replied very quickly: [Fuck, I didn't even know I was photographed.]

Popping a walnut into her mouth, Mona typed her reply: [Nice try, but stop dodging! What's the deal with him? How did you get involved with him?]

Ava: [There's nothing going on. He's just an actor working with Artemis on a movie. We just happened to have dinner, and suddenly now I'm his 'mysterious girlfriend"]

Mona: [Alright, I guess I was overthinking it. By the way, when are you planning to come home?]

Ava: [Pretty soon! I've been traveling for a while now, and I miss you. Can't wait to catch up when I'm back!]

Mona: [Great! I'll be waiting for you in Nathontown. I'll make sure to come pick you up.]

Without Mona at the office, Barbara was thriving in the Design Department. Noticing her arrival in the Clem family's car, people were probing her for updates.

After Barbara subtly mentioned her return to the Clem family, she quickly became the darling of the Design Department Even if she wanted just a glass of water, someone would offer to fetch it for her. This was the kind of life she had always wanted.

As for Mona, she stayed home for two days straight, spending all her time studying, eating, and sleeping. She felt like she had put on two inches around her waist.

That evening. Maxwell came back with a piece of good news. Emily's phone had been fixed.

In hindsight, the way that phone fell was oddly well-timed.

The moment Mona heard this, she forgot all about her back injury and immediately reached out to Maxwell for the phone.

Maxwell handed the phone to Mona and sat down next to her, eager to find out if it really contained any evidence. Mona turned on the phone, and all its contents appeared.