ce darkened

rced her to sign a severance document - with a representative from the Coop

ct of desperatio

Morgan, is this true? You once said you wouldn't abandon Maia, that she

mustered a smile that barely held.

have the nerve to call someone from the Cooper Group

Group aren't someone we can just summon at will!" Ja

aia glanced his way. "So you're

s left sp

to fall apart, and Sandra scrambled to play the sympathy ca

mother's side and rubbed her back in gentl

ocked up. She cries every night, Maia. The doctor warned us that her health is getting worse. And if you still c

ted by Rosanna's

used to bring comfort to her. But

nted was to get caugh

face. "That girl you all knew - she died four years

ode through the crowd and wal

d to the ground, putting on a show of

deep breath before co

tly as gasps and sho

Sandra into his arms, while Ros

s were behind them, Sandra's eyes snapped op

lapse, everything might've

er mind, traced back

come her back with grace. And how did she respond? By dragging

gle ounce of grati

and she turns on us like this!" Jarrod cur

e vanished, replaced by a

ke glue. She's got nothing to her name. Without us, she's done. There's no doubt Ma

.

of City Hall in Wront, with some documents req

o she leaned casually against a tree, eyes dow

ur years ago, the torment seemed relentles

ten within an inch of her life, so

ence than anyone else. Her cell looked more like a private su

d her and kept far

otection - but it came with a condition. If Maia wanted that safety, s

ith no way out, Maia had no room to

o the deal and pledged her loyal

now that she was free. That meant going through wi

Rolls-Royce Phantom wa

you to marry, sir?" asked Brad Curti

dow revealed a woman with lo

jeans, she moved with ease. When she stretch

ilence. An edge of defiance t

t carried a criminal recor

ad pushed for this match. What could she p

as the fact that Chr

is arm with easy confidence, his rolled-up

on the woman's exposed waist, and an

hoved the car door o

Miss Maia

she heard someo

for a second, ca

stood before her, tall enough

way that made her pause. Each fe

er family Zoey had mentioned? The one with a bad repu

gh her chest. "Are you... Mr. Chr

her a sm

but something refined clung to him. That faint smile hovered on his lips, nev

while now, Miss Watson."

kly turned her head, realizin

head inside?" she ask

Hall. When they came back out, a marri

e Zoey's request is fulfilled, I won't stick arou

she wasn't delusional. Most men wouldn't sign up

ir danced in the breeze, and while her face was striki

irectly, he asked, "Is my

Maia answered quickly, "She's healt

se, she pressed h

idn't just survive in

ically her c

ed into his pocket, pulled out a sleek credit card, and han

sed in protest. "That's not ne

what Zoey had shared, Chris might've had the Cooper name, but he was treated like an o

no serious job title and spen

robably didn't have m

ng anything from him m

her hand, placed the card firmly

rs - cool, enigmatic, a

our husband now. That gives you every right to use my money. Or is it that

sent a faint flush across Maia

ng to explain, but her voice trailed off

took the card and gave him

smile of approval. "So, where are

in Maia's chest. Her plan was to

mattered was the bracelet - the last gift

ght, Vicki had been the one constant. She had taught Maia

ether, Vicki's love had been

ki had still been alive, she would've

ght a quiet ache

alm smile. "There's something I need to ha

st call if you

ber, then stayed behi

corner, he glanced down at the marriage certificate

Not hap

w long he'd been wait