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Taking his silence as permission,Lily’s words turned venomous.“Maggie,you wretch,trying to ruin my family and happiness.”
The irony was laughable.
Unfazed,she reached to hit me.
Her strength was no match.
I slapped her first,the sound crisp.
She dove into Ethan’s arms.“Ethan,she hit me!I’m carrying our baby,and this woman’s trying to hurt it!”
Ethan and his mom froze.
Tears streamed down his mom’s face.“Thank God,I’ll be a grandma.”
She shielded Lily.“Maggie,touch my daughter-in-law again,and you’ll regret it.”
Lily’s pregnancy flipped her attitude,turning her against me.
Ethan’s face lit with rare joy,gently touching Lily’s slightly swollen belly.
This family was playing me.
I rolled my eyes,done with the show,and left.
I didn’t dwell on them.
The next day,Ryan and I headed to Blue Ridge.
Autumn there was stunning—cool,crisp air,perfect weather.
Like any couple,we strolled the coast,climbed hills,woke at 4 a.m.for sunrise.
We traced each other’s names in the sand,chased waves,laughed.
At dawn,we shouted each other’s names from the peak.
Exhausted,we lay on the mountaintop.
I wanted to cry.
Everything I’d dreamed of,Ethan never gave me.
With Ryan,I lived it all.
He was young,brimming with energy and adventure,making anyone feel alive.
I wasn’t young anymore,divorced,not the vibrant 20-year-old I’d been.
Quietly,I slipped my hand from his.
He noticed,turning.“My Maggie,what’s wrong?Too happy?”
His smile outshone the sunrise.
I nodded,smiling back.
“Maggie,be my girlfriend.”
“I’ve assumed we were,but I want to make it official.”
He pulled out a small box,revealing a pink crystal necklace studded with diamonds—my style.
He’d planned this.
Joy mixed with doubt.
Ethan never surprised me like this.
My failed marriage made me question if I deserved love.
Ryan saw my silence,my somber eyes.
He didn’t push,just placed the box in my hand.“Wear it when you’re ready.I’ll wait.”
His tender gaze broke me.
Tears fell.
“Why do you like me,Ryan?”
He smiled,ears reddening.
