The Queen's Back

What Maxwell didn't tell Mona before was that as long as he could remember, he had to listen to his mother, Ruby Johnson, complaining hysterically every day.

Ruby hated Donald Carter. She thought he was heartless and that he only wanted to have sex with her. After she got pregnant, she found out that Donald was already married and had a child.

As Maxwell grew up, he was like a constant reminder of the deceit Ruby went through. Slowly, her hatred toward Donald was transferred to Maxwell.

When Maxwell was still a young boy, there were times he had woken up from nightmares. When he cried and wanted a hug, all he got was his mother's beating and scolding, saying that he was an unwanted illegitimate child. Ruby had also told him over and over again that Carter was his surname, and all men with that surnshould die. The blood flowing in his veins was filthy.

Maxwell's vile mother had deprived him of the joy of his childhood. When he got sick, he didn't cry or make a fuss but just waited for his body to recover on its own. Having a meal every two to three days was considered a luxury to him. Until one day, Ruby couldn't take it anymore. She abandoned Maxwell and left the small village. Maxwell, who was still a small kid then, felt like he had been abandoned by the world and had no one to rely on. Upon hearing Maxwell's words, Mona sat up straight in shock. She looked at Maxwell in disbelief and said in a sobbing voice, "I know the rivers were very deep, Maxwell. From now on, you can't end your life without my permission." When Mona was young, Emily would bring her to the countryside to experience country life. Emily would especially remind Mona not to play by the river every tbecause Emily was afraid that Mona would fall into the river. That was how Mona knew that the river was very deep.

Maxwell had already said so much. Mona was smart enough to figure out what Maxwell wanted to do.

'He was the sin his previous life. After avenging me, he killed himself straightaway. He didn't care much about his life at all. He toldthat my life is very important. How about his own?' Mona thought. In her heart, Maxwell's life was more important than her own.

"Mona, don't cry. If I did kill myself, I wouldn't have married you, would I? Maxwell gently wiped the tears from the corners of Mona's eyes.

He continued. "Alright, without Mrs. Carter's permission in the future, my life will not end." Maxwell had indeed honored his words. While he was dying on the hospital bed, he didn't forget to ask Mona if his life could end. After Mona said yes, he held tight to Mona's hand before closing his eyes softly. Mona let Maxwell wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes and continued to lean on his shoulder as she listened to Maxwell.

"I stood by the river for a long time, from sunrise to sunset. It was only when the sun fully set that I mustered the courage to walk into the river." At this point, Maxwell wrapped his hand around Mona's slender waist and looked at their hands that were tightly held together.

"I had just taken a step when a little girl with pigtails and a fluffy dress grabbed the corner of my shirt. She was bubbly and tender. Anyone would like her just from the way she looked." As Maxwell spoke, he could still remember what Mona looked like when she was young. It was Mona's arrival that saved him.

Upon hearing this, Mona, who was leaning on Maxwell's shoulder, blinked and asked, "Was I the little girl?" Actually, Mona could no longer remember what happened when she was in kindergarten. Naturally, she couldn't recall what Maxwell said.

Maxwell nodded and played with Mona's fingers with care. Her every finger was exceptionally fair and soft. "Yes. The little girl grabbed the corner of my shirt and toldthat her mother said that there was a river ahead, and we shouldn't go forward as it would be very dangerous." As Maxwell spoke, he could still imagine Mona's determined face when she was young. It seemed that if he rushed forward, that little girl would immediately cry in front of him. "And then you left with me?" Mona asked. Maxwell smiled. "Of course, not. I was in a bad mood. I scolded you and told you to get lost. I also told you not to meddle in my business, or I would beat you up." Back then, Maxwell was serious when he said that he would beat up Mona. He just wanted to see if that little girl would still dare to grab his shirt after hearing what he said. "Yet, you didn't let go of my shirt. Instead, you took out the only chocolate from your pearl bag and placed it in my hand. You even tried to dissuadeby offeringchocolate. "In the end, I accepted that only chocolate in your bag, and you draggedaway from the river.

"As you left, the setting sun shone on your tiny back. Step by step, someone led you away. Your every move was noble. I remembered your two slightly curled ponytails swaying under the sun, and it was mesmerizing toback then. "Since then, that little figure of yours was branded in my heart. I lowered my head and looked at the chocolate in my hand. It was supposed to be my dinner that day, but I chose to sleep on an empty stomach as I couldn't bear to eat it. "After leaving the river bank, I lost the courage to walk toward the river. I turned around and walked home. The next day, when I opened his eyes, my wretched life continued. All I hoped for was to have the chance to see you again. You were the light of my life. "Now that I think about it, I honestly don't know how I survived back then. I relied on the goodwill of the people next door. I worked for them in exchange for food. "Those days continued until Richard broughtback to the Carter family. Then, I met you in school after completing the admission procedures.

"After living alone for so many years, I no longer knew how to talk with you. I only knew how to play tricks on you so that you know that I was different from others." At this point, Maxwell's gaze was

fixed on Mona's flawless face. He said in a gruff voice, "Mona, I'm telling you this because I want you to know that no matter how difficult it is, you can let bygones be bygones. I'm a living example era got over my painful past. The truth will eventually be revealed. We'll look for the evidence together regarding the plagiarism incident.

"Maxwell, you loveway deeper than I had imagined. I know, I know. There will be evidence. As Mona spoke, crystalline tears ran down her cheeks. After listening to Maxwell's story,

she could vaguely remember that when she was young, she met a good-looking boy. That boy was very fierce, so she gave him a chocolate, hoping he would be nicer. She didn't om expect her actions would dispel the boy's thought of killing himself. It was also that action that made Maxwell avenge her when she died in her previous life. X