Maggie's eyes snapped open in the darkness, her mind clearing as memories of Tom's words danced at the edges of her consciousness. She rolled onto her back, her gaze finding Tom standing in her room in the dead of night.
"Who's there?!" she blurted out, her voice tinged with sleep and confusion.
Tom's eyes burned with an intensity that sent fresh waves of recollection flooding Maggie's mind. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog of sleep.
With a shy rustle of sheets, she pulled the comforter over her head, hiding from Tom's penetrating gaze.
But Tom was relentless, flipping back the blanket. "You've been telling everyone you're hell-bent on marrying me. Have you gone mad?"
Maggie remained silent, turning away from him.
Undeterred, Tom pulled her to sit up. "I said yes."
Maggie's eyes widened in shock. "You said yes to what?"
Tom was dead serious. "To us getting married."
Maggie was bewildered. When exactly had she asked for his consent?
In a daze, Maggie felt like she had won the lottery-everything seemed unreal, floating in a state of disbelief.
"Have you been drinking?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
Tom leaned in close. "Do I smell like booze?"
Maggie shook her head. "Then I must be dreaming."
leg sharply. "Does
"Ouch, yes!"
"Still dreaming?"
retaliation, she slapped Tom's shoulder, leaving her hand awkwardly
hit me, I
realized she was not quite
Grandpa have agreed to let Vivian marry
incredulous.
sick, unable to handle business affairs for a couple of years
started to tempt and coax her, still groggy from sleep. "What's my salary? How much
she could get anywhere, Tom added, "I'm just a simple cop. Without Byrne Enterprises, I couldn't afford a house
her response, he continued, "Even if you inherit the company and treat me well, what about when you get married? You'll have kids, and they'll inherit your company. And if I marry and have kids, won't I
point. "Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa-they're not saints. Mom built a company from the ground up,
Maggie said naively. "I'll just
were a blood relative, which you're not, you can't count
the harsh reality; after all, her last
your point,
sighed. It was time
"Marry me."
earnest eyes, felt as if she'd
infuriate Vivian, and... well, I
Enterprises; I'll give it back to Mom when she's better. Second, I've got plenty of ways to deal with Vivian without resorting to extremes. And lastly!" Her face flushed as she locked eyes with
going to be
too late," Tom
at
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