Chapter 54

Jason motioned to the phone on the wall, and she picked it up, with a thousand butterflies suddenly flying in her stomach.

“Maggie... hi…”

“Hi, Jason…”

They both sat there for a moment, not knowing what to say.

“Maggie, I just want to say how sorry I am for everything. I know what I did was wrong. I was in a bad place then, but now I have something to keep me focused... to make me want to be a better man.”

“I know a lot more about your relationship with Olivia now, and I just wondered, why? Why didn’t you just break it off with me?”

“I’m not sure... The only thing I can think is that the thrill of sneaking around got the better of me. I know it doesn’t make any sense, but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

“Oh, so it didn’t hurt my feelings when you said all the nasty things about us in the bedroom? And I quote, ‘The worst lay you had ever had!’ ‘A cold fish you couldn’t get to come to save her life?’

“Those words didn’t hurt my feelings as my former best friend laughed at your insults?”

Jason visibly flinched as he heard her words.

“I’m sorry, Maggie. I don’t really know what to say to make it better for you. I know you will always think badly of me for what happened.”

“You think? You broke my heart, you stole from me, and you helped ruin a twenty-year friendship!”

Jason lowered his head in embarrassment and regret. “I know, and I will always feel bad for my part in it. But you know that I wasn’t the only one involved…”

“Oh, I know. I already told Olivia what a bitch she is and how I pity your child. And I do pity your child, with you two liars, cheaters, and thieves as parents!”

“My child and Olivia are the things that make me want to be a better man! To do better and show him the right path and to be better than me!”

“I will give you that, you do seem to have true feelings for each other. Which is good, since you both deserve each other!”

Maggie was fuming and had to remember to take a deep breath and calm herself so she didn’t provoke Liam to come and carry her out.

As she was taking a few deep breaths, Jason sat watching her, letting his guilt wash over him. Maggie looked at him and finally saw the bruising on his cheek. His nose was also a little swollen.

“What happened to your face? Did you already get into a fight in here?”

“Yeah, um... I said some things that someone didn’t like, and I got punched in North Carolina…”

“Your mouth got you in trouble again?” she asked.

Jason shrugged his shoulders and looked sheepish.

“The man that’s helping you? He is my fiancé. And the father of my child,” she stated proudly, rubbing her still very flat stomach.

“You seem very happy, Maggie, and look great. Being in love suits you. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. And I have to say that Liam is the most incredible lover I have ever had! He does things to me that I didn’t know were possible! That’s what happens when you are with a real man,” she gloated.

He winced, knowing that she was cutting him to the core because of what he had said to her before. He owed it to her to let her finish and knew he wouldn’t see her again.

Jason understood that Liam Olsen wouldn’t allow his wife and child to be around criminals, even if she ever wanted to be in contact with Olivia again.

“But I have you and Olivia to thank for my happiness, you know.”

“How?” he asked, confused.

“I met Liam when I went to see a lawyer about what my options were to sue you both and get my money and credit back. We ran into each other, literally, and he tracked me down.

“He showered me in flowers and treated me like a queen! If it hadn’t been for you and Olivia fucking me over, I wouldn’t have met him. Liam changed me.

“He made me realize that I deserve to be treated so much better than I let you and Olivia treat me!

“Even if Liam and I hadn’t clicked and weren’t together, I would now demand the treatment that he gives me! Because I am worth so much more!”

“You’re right, Maggie, you do.”

“I have said what I needed to, and now I am going back to my family that loves me and care about me.

“Good luck, and just remember that it is my soon-to-be-husband that is saving your asses and making it so that you aren’t spending the next decade in prison and will get to know and raise your child! So, every milestone you see, every birthday you celebrate with your child and Olivia—I want you to remember that it was because of him!”

Maggie stood at her words, not realizing that she had tears running down her face.

Jason looked at her, startled by her words. “You’re right Maggie. I owe you my life and that of my child. I’m s—”

“Don’t tell me you’re sorry again! I don’t want to hear it! Just knowing that you are here and I never have to see you again and I am going to have the best life, that is all I need!”