Maggie knew it was time to mend the rift between her and Aldrich.
Charlie stepped out of the study and bumped into Maggie at the door. He nodded in greeting, silently conveying the importance of their recent conversation.
At the doorway, she hesitated for a moment, ready to knock. With determination, she entered the room. Aldrich shifted his gaze toward her, a mix of relief and concern on his face.
“Maggie,” he whispered, his voice laden with understanding. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Aldrich’s words filled Maggie with gratitude. She felt the weight on her shoulders lifting, knowing that he cared about her happiness.
“Aldrich, thank you for the pastries. They’re amazing.”
Seeing Maggie finally starting to enjoy the food, Aldrich’s expression softened. He breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her eat, his tension easing.
“No problem, Maggie. I’m glad you like them,” Aldrich replied sincerely.
Thinking about Charlie’s recent report, Aldrich couldn’t believe he had misjudged the kind and resilient Maggie. Regret washed over him for his past actions.
Aldrich was a strong man who could admit his mistakes. He stood up, his seriousness taking Maggie by surprise.
“Maggie, I sincerely apologize for misunderstanding you. I now know the reasons behind your significant bank expenses and how Max and Linda betrayed and used you,” Aldrich explained.
The pain Maggie endured couldn’t be summed up in a few words from Aldrich. She could have borne it all on her own. Still, when Aldrich showed concern and sympathy, it brought tears streaming down uncontrollably.
Aldrich stepped closer and gently embraced Maggie’s shoulders.
“Don’t let sorrow consume you, Maggie. Everything is in the past now. You have our child and me. The future will be brighter.”
Maggie buried her face in Aldrich’s comforting embrace, her tears soaking his clothes. But Aldrich didn’t mind. He felt Maggie in his arms, fragile and delicate. An intense protective instinct burned within him. He vowed to himself that he would not let anyone hurt the kind-hearted Maggie anymore.
Aldrich held her, offering comfort and solace during her pain. Deep within, he swore to confront Max and ensure he faced the consequences of his actions.
In a hushed tone, Aldrich whispered in Maggie’s ear, anger underlying his words, “Maggie, I promise you that Max won’t escape unpunished. Those credit card debts you shouldn’t have should rightfully fall on the one responsible.”
Maggie’s sobs gradually subsided. She pulled away from the embrace, her tear-stained face filled with gratitude.
“Thank you, Aldrich. You’ve always been understanding and supportive. I don’t know how I would’ve made it through these tough days without you.”
Aldrich thought of Maggie’s ordeal, and his heart clenched. He tightened his fist.
“I’m not as great as you imagine, Maggie. I’ve only done what I had to. Listen, I’m not a soft-hearted person.”
As Aldrich spoke, he kissed Maggie’s eyes, gently licking away her tears, clearing her vision. His words touched Maggie’s heart.
Maggie felt it was time to see Aldrich. She knew the time had come to bridge the gap between them.
Charlie stepped out of the study, and at the door, he ran into Maggie. He nodded a greeting, silently conveying the importance of their recent conversation.
When they reached Aldrich’s door, Maggie hesitated briefly before preparing to knock. With a firm resolve, she entered the room. Aldrich shifted his gaze to her, his face a mix of relief and concern.
“Maggie,” he whispered, his voice filled with understanding. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Aldrich’s words filled Maggie with gratitude. She felt a burden lifting from her shoulders because she knew he cared about her happiness.
“Aldrich, thank you for the pastries. They are amazing,” she said.
Seeing Maggie finally starting to enjoy the food, Aldrich’s expression softened, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her eat. He started to look for reasons when his rationality returned.
“Maggie, I’ve decided to agree to your suggestion. For the sake of our baby’s health, let’s pretend to be a couple,” Aldrich said.
“You agreed!” Maggie excitedly grabbed Aldrich’s arm, exclaiming, “Aldrich, I’m so happy. Today is truly a day of happiness!”
Aldrich couldn’t help but be infected by Maggie’s joy. But he had considered the deeper implications.
“However, to avoid suspicion, I will arrange for a trustworthy person to introduce you to the world of the werewolves and provide some training to help you become a true Luna.”
“That’s not a problem. I’m willing to learn everything and embrace any adventure for the sake of our child,” Maggie asserted.
Aldrich’s joy mingled with a hint of concern, which Maggie picked up on without hesitation. She asked, “Aldrich, do you have reservations? Even though we’re pretending to be a couple, we’re also the parents of our children, and we shouldn’t hide anything from each other.”
Under Maggie’s trusting gaze, Aldrich inexplicably wanted to reach out and ruffle her hair. In fact, he did run his fingers through Maggie’s soft strands, catching a whiff of her mild shampoo, which set his heart racing.
“Maggie, I don’t think we need a formal agreement between us,” Aldrich attempted to sound casual, removing his hand from Maggie’s head as if nothing had happened. “You’re the mother of our children, and I trust you completely.”
Maggie was calm as she nodded. “I understand, Aldrich. You can trust me; I won’t break my word, and I won’t let you be in danger. So, I hope we can support each other from now on, facing thrilling adventures and happiness together.”
Maggie reached out her delicate right hand, looking at Aldrich with eagerness.
Aldrich wasn’t sure if he had made the right choice, but he embarked on this perilous journey with Maggie. Her determination and resilience fascinated him. He reached out and held Maggie’s hand.
“Maggie Nelson, no matter how many obstacles we face, you will have me.”
As they locked eyes, the room filled with hope and excitement. They had no idea their partnership would ignite a fire that could change their lives forever. Together, they would explore the intricate world of the werewolves, confront challenges, overcome obstacles, and pursue love.