Page 126 of Sweet Sin

“You can talk to me, my dear.”

“Can I though?” I finally say. “Anything I say to you will go straight back to Miles.”

Maggie sits down next to me. Then she does something totally unexpected. She takes one of my hands in hers. “I love my son.”

I simply nod.

How could anyone love Miles McAllister?

“You will understand that one day. One day when you have children of your own.”

I don’t want to have children of my own. Not unless they’re Falcon’s children.

But she’s right. I’ve chosen my fate. I will have children of my own with Miles unless I can figure out how to get out of this—once Falcon is in the clear, that is.

“You may not love your children’s father,” Maggie says, “but you will love them. I understand that it’s hard to imagine that now, but you will eventually see that I am correct.”

I’m not sure what to say to that, so again I say nothing.

“I know how you’re feeling. I’ve been where you are. Your mother has been where you are. Try to look on the bright side. All your needs will be met from now until the day you leave this earth. You’ll live in riches beyond your wildest dreams.”

I snap my hand away. “Are you forgetting I grew up this way? I already know what riches beyond my wildest dreams are. I’ve chosen to live without them, Mrs. McAllister.”

“Yes, I suppose you have. I’d be lying if I said I knew what this was all about. My husband doesn’t tell me things about the business. But I will try to find out.”

“You can’t.”

Maggie looks at the table. “No, I probably can’t.”

“I need to speak to my father.”

“You will. Once the marriage has taken place and it has been consummated.”

“When is that going to be?”

“First thing tomorrow. Miles and his father already made all the necessary arrangements for the license and everything.”

I force back tears. “I don’t understand. They let me go five years ago. Why now?”

“I don’t know. Like I said, I’m going to try to find out for you.”

I resolve not to say anything else, but then I can’t help myself.

“You say you love your son.”

“I do.”

“You just witnessed him hit me with a force so hard I fell to the floor.” I touch my hand to my cheek. “I’ll probably have a bruise.”

“You may. But don’t worry about that.”

“How can I not worry about it?”

“Makeup. My maid can cover you with makeup. You’d be amazed at what she’s covered on me over the years.”

“You’re okay with that?”

Maggie looks around the kitchen. Boxy is at the counter, but no one else is present. “Savannah, of course I’m not okay with it. But I’m a shell of what I once was.” She closes her eyes, smiles softly, and then opens them again. “Did you know I was in beauty pageants when I was in high school?”

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