In that moment, Renata's words echoed through my mind. I flipped my phone around and screenshotted both of Tilda's posts, saving them.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Since you love showing off so much, let's make sure everyone gets a good look.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Xavier was personally feeding Tilda seafood chowder, one spoonful at a time.
Suddenly, Tilda let out a little gasp, her voice laced with feigned concern.
"Xavier, where's Maggie? I haven't seen her all day. You don't think something happened to her, do you?"
Xavier froze. He pulled out his phone and dialed my number, again and again. No one picked up.
An unexplainable unease crept over him. Tilda, who had been watching his every reaction from the corner of her eye, felt a flash of jealousy. She spoke up again.
"Don't worry. Why don't you check with the rescue team first, see if there were any casualties that day?"
Xavier nodded and contacted the rescue team. After a round of questions, he learned there had been no casualties during the earthquake.
Tilda continued, her tone light and casual.
"Maggie's young. She probably just got caught up having fun somewhere."
Xavier's brow furrowed. Displeasure flickered across his face.
"But you went through something this serious, and she couldn't even be bothered to come check on you? She's family. That's just disrespectful."
Tilda shook her head gently.
"It's fine. I really don't mind."
Xavier reached over and flicked her forehead affectionately.
"That's because you're too understanding for your own good."
"If she's fine, then I won't bother with her for now."
On my end, I was giving Renata her final instructions.
"He should be at the hospital with his precious stepmom. Just go straight there and get him to sign."
"I'll walk away with nothing. As long as I get the divorce, none of the rest matters."
Renata nodded firmly.
"Relax. Your best friend happens to be one of the top divorce attorneys in the city. Consider it handled."
After she left with the agreement, my phone rang. It was my dad.
"Maggie, I couldn't stop him. That childhood friend of yours from the Delgado family already hopped on a plane back to the States to find you!"
"You're going to have to deal with this one yourself!"
Before I could get a single word in, he hung up, guilt practically radiating through the dead line.
I stared at the darkened screen and let out a helpless laugh.
"Thanks, Dad. You really know how to make my life harder."
I hadn't seen Max Delgado in five years.
Back at the hospital, Tilda had somehow ended up in Xavier's arms. Renata walked in on exactly that scene, and she exploded. She jabbed a finger straight at Xavier's face.
"Well, well, well! No wonder Maggie's been a wreck. You've been sleeping with your own stepmother! You disgusting piece of trash!"
Xavier's brow creased. His voice came out flat and cold.
"Watch your mouth. What goes on between me and my stepmother is none of your business."
"And if you don't know how to speak properly, I'd be happy to teach you."
But Renata wasn't the type to be intimidated. She scoffed right back at him.
"You think being some Capital Circle golden boy gives you the right to push me around? I'm a Simmons. Try me."
"You look so polished on the outside. Who knew you were this rotten underneath? What an act."
Xavier was about to lose his temper, but when he registered her last name, he reined himself in. His tone shifted, measured and low.
"So. What exactly are you here for?"
Renata let out a cold laugh and straightened her blazer.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm your wife's divorce attorney."
The words landed like a slap. Xavier shot to his feet.
"What did you just say? Maggie wants to divorce me?"
"That's impossible. She would never."
Renata tossed the divorce papers onto the table in front of him, her smile dripping with contempt.
"Sign. Now. Unless you'd prefer we do this the hard way in court."
