Chapter 27

MAGGIE

It’s been a few days since that night Logan visited my bedroom and we made love. His words keep coming back to me. It’s like a slap to my face.

“If you decide you can do better without me, Maggie, I won’t hold a grudge against you. Even if you leave.”

I want him to realize that I’m here because I want to be and not because I’m forced to marry him. Okay, maybe we got married on those terms, but I’m choosing to stay.

Lately, I’ve been noticing how the permanent frown on his face loosens up, and I like to believe it’s happening because of me.

Unless he’s got a super-hot secretary that makes him smile often, now that would be a major problem.

Knowing Logan, it’s impossible he’s having an affair with his secretary. He’s too strict and easily annoyed.

Snapping at people is his hobby, and he’s bad at relationships, with the attention span of a goldfish for women who like to talk, yet I’m curious to know if his secretary is prettier than I am.

I’ve seen the name Paris flash on the screen of his phone when he’s excused himself during dinner and exited the dining hall to answer the phone a few times before.

And Logan hardly leaves the table during dinner unless it’s very important. Maybe Paris is the reason he likes to stay in the office until late hours, or maybe I’m just going crazy with jealousy.

He returned after midnight four days in a row, and I completely understand that it’s his work that keeps him busy. I’m an understanding wife, but there’s a demon inside my head who whispers things to me.

After everything that happened in the past, I’d sworn to never take men seriously, and here I am worried and jealous about my husband spending late nights in the office.

“Maggie, you’re going to jail.”

“Uh, what?”

My father-in-law, John, points at the Monopoly board in front of us. “You’re in jail, darling.”

“Oh, yeah, right.”

Chase sniggers in the seat beside mine. “Mommy’s a criminal, hee hee hee.”

“It’s not a good thing to laugh at your mother, Chase, not when you’ve been in and out of jail five times already.”

Chase pouts and rolls the dice almost angrily. He’s got a lot of fake money, and he likes showing it off.

He picks up a small red house with his pudgy hands and places it on the board with a triumphant look on his face, a look that constantly reminds me of someone I shouldn’t remember. “I’m buying a house in Mayfair.”

“Well done, boy,” John praises him. “He’s built at least ten houses so far.”

“Inside of a game, John.”

“It’s still praiseworthy for his age.” John rolls the dice.

“Grandpa, you should buy this land.”

How did I really end up playing board games with my son and my father-in-law, you ask? Well, I’m usually guilt-tripped into doing it.

I’d rather play Monopoly with Chase than allow him to run rampant around the mansion. At least when he’s engaged like this, he’s less likely to cause any mischief and trouble people.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt to soak up some vitamin D. I sip on the chilled lemonade I prepared this morning.

Finally, it’s time for me to roll the dice. When I mention buying a piece of land, Chase shrieks about how he’s set his eyes on it, and John laughs as usual.

Chase doesn’t like to continue playing if he’s not getting what he wants.

We’re laughing and enjoying ourselves that we don’t even notice Logan standing in the distance, staring at us with an unusual look on his face.

When I catch his eyes, he smiles. He’s holding something in his hand, which he quickly hides behind him.

John kicks me under the chair, a knowing smile tugs the corner of his lips. “Chase and I will continue the game.”

“Chasey, don’t trouble your grandpa, okay?”

Chase isn’t paying attention to me. He’s too engrossed in the board game. I walk over to Logan, who stares at me like he’s seeing me for the first time.

“I saw what you were hiding,” I say.

He brings the bouquet in front of him and offers it to me. “I saw them on the way home, and I thought of getting them for you.”

I take the roses from him, falling in step with him. “Thanks. That was really sweet.”

“No, I should thank you,” he says.

“For what?”

He looks back at his father, who’s having a lot of fun. “Dad’s less grumpy these days, and he seems a lot happier now, and for that, I have you to thank.”

“Me?”

He smiles. “Yes, you, Maggie and Chase. Even his doctors said his health is better than what it used to be.

“The staff told me he’s been taking his medications on time and doesn’t throw tantrums about his food, which is a huge accomplishment.”

“I still can’t forget the times when he brought me toys whenever he visited my home.”

Logan nods. “He’s happy that he’s gotten his wish.”

“And you?” It’s the perfect opportunity to tease him.

“What about me?” he asks as we enter his bedroom together.

“Are you happy too?” I ask him.

~Do I make you happy?~ I want to ask him.

He looks at me like he knows he can see right through me. “I am, more than I should be.”

I close the door of the bedroom behind me and put my arms around his neck. “I’m so glad.”

He wraps me in his arms and kisses me with wild abandon. He catches my lower lip in his mouth and bites it softly before delving his tongue deeper, exploring.

He’s so tall that he has to crane his neck to kiss me. His hands grab my ass as he hauls me up and places me onto the dresser.

“This is much better,” he whispers. His blue eyes are dilated. “Do you think you might already be pregnant?”

I shake my head. “Not yet.”

“Then we need to remedy that.”

“Hmm…” I’m distracted by his fingers slipping underneath my dress.

The door knob twists and turns. When the door doesn’t open, Chase’s voice comes from the other side of the room.

“Mommy?”

I sneak a glance at Logan to see if he’s pissed off, but he chuckles. “He’s a certified mama’s boy.” He caresses my cheek. “There’s a party this evening. Will you join me?”

He helps me get down from the dresser but doesn’t let go of my hand.

“Sure,” I say excitedly, and then I realize I might not be able to. “I probably can’t. Chase might want to go, too, and I don’t want to cause you trouble.”

“Chase can come with us,” Logan says.

“Is that really okay?”

He nods. “It will be the perfect opportunity to introduce him as my son.”

“I know this is hard for you,” I say, “but you’re trying for us, and that means a lot to me.”

***

We arrive at Logan’s friend Anderson’s house. His wife is a welcoming lady, and I recall meeting her at our wedding. When we’re at the party, I can’t help but notice how Logan steals glances at me.

I’m really stupid to wonder if he would prefer an older woman, because my husband can hardly take his eyes off me. My concerns are unfounded.

When Logan introduces me as his wife, I see some surprised faces, but they are quick to conceal it.

Most of them think I’m a gold-digger. It’s written all over their expressions, and their curious gazes follow me everywhere. They think, why else would a woman in her early twenties marry a man in his forties?

“You haven’t met my secretary, have you?”

I stiffen at the mention of his secretary’s name. “No, I haven’t.”

“Paris keeps me sane most of the time and—”

I try to keep my jealousy in check, but fail miserably. “Is she pretty?”

Logan turns around to face me. “What?”

“Your secretary, Paris. Is she attractive?”

Logan chuckles. “You should see for yourself.”

A young, well-dressed man smiles as we approach him. Logan has a smirk on his face. “Maggie, this is Paris, and Paris, meet my wife.”

“A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Malory. I’m extremely sorry that I couldn’t attend your wedding.” Paris takes my hand in his.

“Oh, no…it’s…it’s all right.”

Logan laughs again, and my face is growing warm and to add to my embarrassment. He asks me, “So, what do you think? Is he attractive enough for me to cheat on you?”

“I’m sorry, sir?” Paris asks innocently.

I kick Logan in his shin. “Don’t pay attention to Logan. He’s in the mood for jokes today.”

Suddenly, I’m aware that Chase is no longer standing close to me.

“Where’s Chase?” I ask Logan. “Have you seen him?”

“I saw him playing with a kid earlier. Must be around.”

I get hysterical if I can’t find him in one minute, and since this place has a lot of guests, it’s hard to spot him.

“I’ll look for him. Maybe he’s in the play area,” Logan says.

“Okay. I’ll check the buffet area.”

I’m walking around the place looking for Chase. I know he loves desserts, so I go to check if he’s standing near the chocolate fountain.

I’m close to tears when I see him talking and laughing to a man who’s on his haunches. He giggles and says something.

“Chase! I’ve been looking all over for you!” I call out to him.

“Mom!”

The man turns around, and the smile on his face disappears. “Maggie?”

I’m at a loss for words.

It’s Carter.