Page 84 of Fourth Wall

Maeve nodded. “I don't blame you for our marriage ending, Stephen. Clearly, we were not compatible partners, and I know how much you do for our girls. I don't think I’ve ever sat down to tell you how much I appreciate you.” Stephen nodded, and Tyler looked pissed. This was clearly not how he wanted the conversation to go. Again, why Stephen was with him was beyond me.

“I just don't think you get it, Maeve. I do so much for those girls, while you just skate by with the bare minimum. I never got a thank you or appreciation for keeping food on your table.You never take life seriously, and that is the biggest fucking issue here.”

“I don’t—” I attempted to get out, but Maeve interrupted me.

“Tyler, I’m trying. I never was smart like you, but I love Kelsie and Kinsley with my whole heart. I met Christian through mutual friends. He works as a bodyguard for one of our friends—”

“Is that even a safe career?” Tyler asked.

“Not really,” I murmured under my breath, and Stephen offered a small smile in my direction. “Did you follow me?” I asked him.

“I had my PI take photos of you when you were with your so-called boss.” I shook my head, knowing exactly when all of that went down. It had to have been when the red car tailed me.

“I should fuck you up for even coming near me,” I muttered again, and Maeve elbowed me in the side, so I quickly shut up.

“All my weapons are registered in case you needed to look that up. We also have them locked in a safe in the back of the closet on the very top shelf,” I offered, but Tyler sat there with his arms crossed along his body. “Don’t fucking tell me he doesn’t have a gun in this house either.” I pointed at Stephen.

“We also have ours locked up, honey.” Stephen looked at Tyler.

“If I can say something,” Stephen interrupted. “Christian is a really good guy. At one point, he wasn't, but neither was I. We got really fucked up in the war. We became a shell of the humans we are today, but somehow found a way to escape some very dark times. I know him, Ty. He’s like a brother to me. He would never do any harm.” I gave a brief thank-you nod to Stephen. If we continued down this path, then maybe we would be headed in the right direction.

“It isn't him that I’m pissed at.” Tyler threw his head in Maeve’s direction.

“Why are you so upset with me, Tyler?”

“You just don't get it, do you, Maeve?”

She threw her hands in the air. “No, I really don't. Please, I would love it if you would explain it.”

“I just want you to take us seriously for once. I want you to do better. I’m giving you a chance to—”

I stood. I was getting fucking livid. This man was bullshitting all of us.

“I don't think that is your place.” Stephen stood.

“Sit down, Christian.” He started.

I couldn't hold back my anger and frustration, throwing my hands in his direction. "It's not his fucking place to tell my fucking girlfriend where she needs to do better," I retorted fiercely. "She works tirelessly to pay for the girls. She braids their hair every night, feeds them, and loves them with the entirety of her heart. What you are is fucking cruel, Tyler. You've always wanted to control her, but no longer have that space or opportunity."

I sat down, crossed my legs, and placed my hand over the weapon I had secretly brought in. Maeve and Stephen shot me a pointed look knowing exactly what I was threatening with this move. Stephen didn’t dare say anything, though, until Tyler stood to match my intensity.

"She needs to get her act together," he hissed back.

That was fucking it. I grabbed the hem of my pant leg when I felt Maeve’s cool hand stop me. She stood now, silencing me. "I do have my act together. You aren't married to me anymore, Tyler, and just because you think you have some influence over the court system, doesn't mean you get to take away the two people who matter most in my life. You are evil and cruel.” She directed her words at him, her voice filled with anger.

She turned to Stephen, urging him to see the truth. "You know Christian. You know he's a good guy. You also know how muchtaking this to court will mess him up," she said, and I couldn't argue with her. I knew she was right.

"I wish you would grow the fuck up, Tyler, and realize that I have, and you’re the one stuck in the past," Maeve continued, her frustration evident.

"And I wish you would take something serious for once in your life. This relationship," he spat, glancing at me, "is nothing more than a farce. I knew it immediately when you randomly brought it up in court. This little fake dating thing you guys have going on isn't fooling anyone anymore. This is why I need you to realize you need to get serious for once in your life."

Anger and tears exploded from Maeve's eyes, her emotions almost overwhelming. She was done with this manipulative game. She walked toward the door, and I followed her, unsure of how to handle this revelation.

"This is none of your fucking business, but I am pregnant, you fucking asshole. So how serious is that?" Maeve's voice wavered as she confessed, and I was stunned. Pregnant? Was this real?

"Pregnant?" Tyler asked, seemingly caught off guard. Maeve was crying now, and I stood beside her, speechless and unsure of what to say. Was this part of our act?

"Yup," she said firmly, emphasizing the “p.” "I guess we'll see you in court tomorrow, Tyler. I'm not doing this with you anymore. If you can't see that I love our children and I care for them, if you can't see that I'm serious and have a hold of my life, then I will fight you in court every single day," she declared, her determination unwavering. She walked up to him, showing her strength in the face of adversity.

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