Page 216 of From Rivals to I Do

Maya's eyes widened in awe, her lips forming a delighted smile. "Wow, Henry! That sounds absolutely amazing. I wish I could have seen it. What happened next?"

Henry's enthusiasm doesn't wane as he continues his tale, his words flowing like a vivid tapestry of imagination. "After that, we went to the playground for recess. I climbed the highest slide, Maya! It was super tall, and I felt like I was on top of the world!"

Maya leans in closer, her eyes locked on to Henry's face, fully captivated by his every word. "You're so brave, Henry. I bet you had so much fun conquering that slide. What else did you do?"

Henry's grin widens, his excitement palpable. "During art class, we made these amazing paintings with bright colors. I painted a picture of me, you, and Dad at the beach. It's gonna be the best painting ever!"

Maya's eyes glisten with joy, a softness in her gaze as she responds, "Henry, that's the sweetest thing! I can't wait to see your masterpiece. It sounds like you had a wonderful day at school."

Henry nods enthusiastically, his enthusiasm radiating from every fiber of his being. "It was the best, Maya! School is so much fun!"

I stand on the sidelines, a silent observer of this beautiful connection between Maya and my son.

Maya's presence in our lives is a beacon of light, a steady anchor amidst the swirling chaos. Her unwavering support and genuine care bring a sense of stability and joy that we so desperately need. In her, I see a friend, a confidant, and a pillar of strength.

"I love hearing about your day, Henry," Maya says, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "You're such a great storyteller."

Henry beams at the praise, his small chest puffing out with pride. "Thanks, Maya! I can tell you more stories later!"

Maya chuckles softly. "I would love that." She smiles warmly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "But for now, I'm going to have a chat with your dad. But don't worry, we'll join you in a bit."

Henry nods, his attention quickly shifting back to his toys. Maya rises gracefully, casting a glance in my direction. "Shall we?" she asks, her voice a gentle invitation.

I lead the way to my study, the familiar space a sanctuary amidst the chaos of my thoughts. We step in, the room enveloping us in a cocoon of quiet intimacy. Maya settles into the plush armchair opposite my desk, her eyes fixed on me, a blend of concern and unwavering support etched in her features.

I take a deep breath, my gaze locking with Maya's. "My mother-in-law came this morning," I begin, my voice steady but filled with the weight of the situation. "She threatened to take away my custody of Henry."

Maya's expression tightens, her eyes filled with concern. "What? Why would she do that?"

A sigh escapes my lips as I recount the encounter with Margaret, the accusations, and her unwavering belief that I am an unfit father. Maya listens intently, her face reflecting a mixture of empathy and determination. As I finish my account, a sense of vulnerability washes over me, my heart laid bare before Maya's empathetic gaze.

"It's unfair, Jackson," she says, her voice laced with indignation. "You're doing everything you can for Henry, and he's thriving under your care. We won't let her tear you two apart."

I take a moment, collecting my thoughts, before revealing my discovery—a glimmer of hope in the face of adversity.

"I found an article online," I begin, my voice steady but laced with uncertainty. "It suggests that presenting a stable family unit could work in our favor in court. Maya, what if... what if we... pretend to be married?"

Maya's eyes widen in surprise, her brows furrowing in contemplation. She takes a moment to process my proposition, her gaze searching my face for sincerity. And then, a small smile tugs at the corners of her lips.

"You want us to fake a marriage?" she asks, a hint of amusement coloring her voice.

I nod, my heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and anticipation. "Yes. It's not ideal, I know. But it could be the key to showing the court that Henry will have a stable and loving environment with us."

"A fake marriage?" Maya repeats, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. "That's quite the proposition, Jackson. Tell me more."

I feel a knot of tension loosening in my chest as Maya's response carries a tone of openness rather than dismissal. I reach for the laptop on my desk, quickly navigating to the article I had stumbled upon earlier. The screen illuminates us with information and possibilities, casting a pale glow on our faces.

I take a deep breath, my words filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability. "According to this, a stable family environment could strengthen my case. It might give us a better chance at retaining custody of Henry. Maya, I know it's a lot to ask, but would you consider... pretending to be my wife?"

The silence hangs in the air, the weight of the question reverberating between us. Maya's eyes search mine, her gaze is unwavering as she takes in the gravity of the situation. I hold my breath, waiting for her response, unsure of what lies ahead.

Chapter seven

Chapter Seven

Istare at Jackson, my mind reeling from his proposition. Fake marriage? The words echo in my head, each syllable carrying a weight I can hardly

comprehend. It's not that I haven't considered the possibility of a deeper connection between us. Our bond has been growing stronger with each passing

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