Maggie Reynolds knew what the court’s verdict was going to be even before the judge told her she had lost custody of Ryan, her only son. The whole court proceeding had been a joke from the beginning. Maggie knew she didn’t have a chance against the Reynolds and all their money and influence, since they had bought off the judge with their money.
Maggie didn’t even have a chance to save her son, but she didn’t give up, giving her all to protect Ryan. Even if she had used all of Jack’s insurance money, it was still a hopeless case. She thought about taking Ryan and running away, but the Reynolds would probably find her anywhere she went, and she would end up in jail for kidnapping her own son. That wouldn’t do anyone any good.
Jack, her husband, died six months ago and his parents started trying to get custody of Ryan as soon as they found out about his death. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds disapproved of her from the beginning, even before they knew anything about her. In their opinion, Maggie was from the wrong side of the tracks and hadn’t been good enough for their only child. They had a woman already picked out for Jack to marry, someone of their social level. It didn’t matter to them that Jack didn’t want anything to do with their hand-picked-bride.
Maggie didn’t meet Jack’s parents until the custody hearing because they had always refused to meet her, now she knew why Jack hadn’t wanted her to meet them. The judge told her she could have a few minutes with Ryan before he had to leave with the Reynolds. Maggie valued every second with her young son and as she held Ryan in her lap, she tried to explain the situation to him the best way she could.
“Sweetheart, you have to go live with your grandparents, as they think I’m not a good mother to you and that they can raise you better. They will never let me see you again, but remember I will always love you, no matter what anyone tells.” She felt an acute sense of loss by her own words.
“But Mommy, they said you can see me every weekend.” He smiled, as he replied happily.
“Yes, I know what they told you, but they lied to you, because they wanted you to leave with them more easily. I will never be able to see you again.” Maggie hated telling him this, but he needed to know the truth. She knew that once the Reynolds had Ryan in their custody, she and Ryan would never be allowed to see one another again, no matter what they told her and Ryan. The Reynolds’ money would make damn sure she never saw her son again.
He needed to understand, because when he didn’t ever see her again, he would know why. “They are mad at me for taking your daddy, their son, away from them. So now they want to take you away from me.” Her misery cut through her heart; tears slowly made their way down her cheeks.
Maggie thought back to six years ago when she and Jack had first met. She was a waitress at Zappy’s Restaurant and when Jack came into the bar for a drink, her eyes watched as the tall, handsome rugged man walked towards her. She couldn’t exactly put her finger on it, but there was something special about this man, she felt as if she already knew him, but that wasn’t possible.
She walked up to him. “Hello. What would you like a drink tonight?” Maggie watched him closely as he checked her out.
His gaze was soft as a caress, as his eyes raked down her body from head to toe. When it came back up to her eyes, he smiled up at her, but didn’t speak.
“Do you see something you like?” she asked seductively as she studied his expression.
He raised his eyebrows as he seemed surprised by her tone.
She had even shocked herself by her usual words. What had come over her? She never talked to customer this way before.
“Yes, I do.” He winked at her. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me next Saturday?” He mischievously asked her.
Maggie laughed. “Yes, I will as long as I don’t have to work here anymore. Can I quit my job?”
“Whatever you want, baby.” They both laughed at their joking.
That was how it all started, once they started talking, they couldn’t stop. He stayed until she got off work, followed her home, and ended the evening by spending the night. Six weeks later Maggie knew she was pregnant. At first, Maggie had been afraid to tell Jack about the baby, and it took her two more weeks before she found the courage to tell him her news. When she finally told him, he proposed immediately, and of course, she said yes.
They decided to be married as soon as possible and had a small quiet ceremony at her church. After the ceremony, Jack called and told his parents his news, but they didn’t take the news well. They told him Maggie married him just for his money, but Jack knew differently, he knew they were truly in love; besides he hadn’t told Maggie anything about his family or the amount of money he had.
Jack would call them occasionally, telling them how Maggie’s pregnancy was coming along, but his parents continued to tell him to leave his wife.
When Ryan was born, Jack was right beside her in the delivery room. They were so happy, they now had a beautiful baby boy, and Jack to call his parents with the news.
“Mom, you are a grandmother to a beautiful baby boy. What do you say to that?” Jack excitedly told his mother.
“Jack, your father and I want you to leave Maggie.”
“I have told you over and over, I’m not going to leave Maggie and our baby.”
“Pack up the baby if you must and come home to us. New York is where you should be, not in some Midwest town. Your father and I will forgive you for marrying that tramp.” She told Jack in a frosty voice.
Jack couldn't believe his mother would even suggest he leave his wife. “Mom, I’m not going to leave Maggie, as she is the woman I love.” His heart was breaking by his mother’s cold words.
With a positive determination, his mother told him hatefully. “We’ll disinherit you.”
“Go ahead. I’m not leaving Maggie, not now, not ever. Good-bye.” Jack hung up the phone and had tears in his eyes, heartbroken by his mother’s cruel words. He loved his parents, but he wouldn’t leave Maggie for the world, as she was his true love.
Not wanting to keep any secrets from her, Jack told Maggie about the phone call with his mother. That was the last time Jack ever called his parents or even mentioned them, and there wasn’t ever any communication between the two families after that phone call.
It was as if Jack, Maggie, and Ryan didn’t even exist to the Reynolds anymore. Jack said he didn’t want anything to do with his family ever again unless they were willing to except Maggie as his wife, which they never did.
They had a bad time about two years ago, when their happy world turned bad. When Maggie found out she was pregnant again they were ecstatic, if they had a girl this time, their family would be complete. This pregnancy was different from her first right from the beginning, as she had morning sickness all-day long, where with Ryan she hadn’t been ill at all.
She started spotting in her sixth month and the doctor ordered her on complete bed rest. Maggie’s parents were deceased, and she had no other family living to help with Ryan and the house, so Jack decided to hire a woman to take care of Maggie and Ryan while he was at work.
He contacted a nursing agency and they sent over a nurse named Abby Smith. She wasn’t a pleasant woman and Ryan took an instant dislike to her. He stayed away from her during the day as much as possible, spending all his time in the bedroom with Maggie and would hide under the bed whenever Abby came into the room.
While Ryan sat on the bed with Maggie, she would read to him, or he would bring in his toys and they would play together. What they didn’t know was Abby Smith wanted to break up Jack and Maggie’s marriage, as she wanted Jack for herself from the first moment, she had first laid eyes on him. She knew Jack would be hers soon, because she always got what she wanted and this time she wanted Jack.
Abby was a young attractive woman. In fact, to some, she was gorgeous. Everything about her was perfect, her hair, her breasts, her weight, even the size of her feet. Abby told Jack to call her Abby, but he always called her Mrs. Smith. Maggie told Jack she didn’t want Mrs. Smith taking care of her anymore because there was something about Mrs. Smith that made her uncomfortable.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Maggie knew that it was the way Abby looked at Jack that bothered her, making her want to kick her out of the house. For whenever they were in a room together, Maggie could see that Abby looked at Jack with desire and lust in her eyes and her smile would always turn to one of seduction when Jack would look her way. She always wore clothes, which showed off her best attributes, such as low-cut blouses, short skirts, or tight-fitting pants and it was upsetting to her that Jack never seemed noticed her. No matter what she wore, Jack didn’t look at her, but Maggie noticed.
Jack wanted the best for Maggie so he promised her he would call the agency to get a replacement for Abby, but whenever he called the agency, they would always tell him that Abby was the only one available right now. They said they would send someone new as soon as possible, but no one ever came to replace Abby. Jack decided to call a different agency, but none of the others had anyone that could come until next month.
Maggie kept telling Jack that Abby was after him, but Jack would merely laugh at her, as he didn’t believe for one- minute Abby was after him. He thought it was all Maggie’s imagination because Maggie felt unattractive right now and was letting her mind run away with itself.
After she had been with them about a month, Abby decided it was time to show Jack how she felt about him. She wanted to cause as much trouble as possible between Jack and the little woman and needed just the right moment to put everything into action.
Maggie always came to the table for dinner, so Abby planned for Maggie to see Jack in a compromising situation with her one night when she came to dinner. She knew the perfect time had finally arrived when Abby saw Maggie coming toward the dining room and Jack coming out of the kitchen. The timing couldn’t be any better if she had planned it that way.
As Jack came into the room, Abby grabbed him, her mouth covered his hungrily as she kissed him passionately. At first contact, Jack’s kiss sent a spiral of ecstasy through her, so she put all her feelings for Jack into this kiss. No one had ever resisted one of her kisses before, never. She expected Jack to start kissing her back, but instead she realized that he was trying to push away her away from him. Just as Abby had planned, Maggie walked into the room and saw Abby and Jack kissing.
“Do you like kissing my husband?” Maggie asked pleasantly, with a hint of sarcasm.
Abby smiled to herself by Maggie’s comment, as she was sure this was going to wreck Jack’s marriage.
Jack finally pushed Abby away from him, and then he took his arm and ran it over his lips, wiping off Abby’s kiss on his sleeve.
Abby watched him as he wiped off her kiss and was instantly furious by his actions, no man had ever treated her like this before.
“He was the one who started the kissing, not me. I have been fighting off his advances for weeks now.” Abby said with wide-eye innocence, which was just a smoke screen.
A soft gasp escaped Jack’s mouth. “What are you saying? That’s a lie as you kissed me, not the other way around.” Jack looked at Maggie for her reaction. “Maggie, you must believe me, I didn’t instigate that kiss.” Jack frowned, afraid of whom Maggie would believe, especially in her condition and she had seen them kissing with her own eyes.
“Jack, you haven’t done anything to be ashamed of. You needn’t be afraid to show how you honestly feel about me.” Abby stated, basking in the knowledge of her power over the situation.
Maggie smiled wickedly, one that held no warmth. “Mrs. Smith, I’m sorry to tell you that I don’t believe a single word you just said. I know with all my heart Jack loves me, and he would never do anything to hurt me.” She grinned mischievously. “That especially includes him kissing you.”
Jack let out the breath he had been holding. “Get out of here.” He told her firmly. “You’re fired and I never want to see you here ever again. I will mail your company your last check,” he said with great emphasis.
Abby couldn’t believe Jack was sending her away, shocked actually, as never in her life had a man rejected her before. “You will be sorry someday. Mark my words, I will have my revenge.” She stated with a slight smile of defiance.
This time Jack hired Mrs. Thompson from an ad in the paper, she was over sixty and motherly to all of them. She instantly became part of their family and they planned to keep her on, even after the baby was born and there was peace once more at the Reynolds’ house.
When the time came for Maggie to deliver, something went terribly wrong. There wasn’t any way to save the baby, because the cord had been wrapped tightly around the baby’s neck. They were devastated over the loss of their daughter, but life has a way of going on. Because of this horrible experience, they decided not to have any more children as Ryan was enough for them.
Life gradually settled down for them and Ryan became their whole world. He was a bit spoiled but was basically he was a good child. Maggie was a stay-at-home mom, which she loved, and Jack had started his own investment business and worked out of their home. When Maggie started back to college to finish her management degree, Ryan stayed home with Jack and Mrs. Thompson while she was in class.
Time slowly passed and the next they knew; Ryan was turning five. They decided to go to Florida to celebrate Ryan’s birthday. They had originally planned to spend a week there, but they were having such a great time, they ended up staying another week.
On the way home from the airport, they were hit by a reckless driver who was speeding. The car hit straight into Jack’s side of the car, Maggie and Ryan had just minor injuries, but Jack was seriously injured. He was in a coma and wasn’t expected to live much more than a couple of days.
Maggie spent as much time with Jack as possible, but it wasn’t easy, because Ryan wanted her to be with him too, as he was scared because he knew his father was dying. Sometimes Mrs. Thompson would bring Ryan to the hospital to visit Jack, he would sit on Maggie’s lap and hold his father’s hand.
Jack had been in the hospital for about two weeks when Dr. Martin came to see Maggie in Jack’s room. He shoved his hands into his pants pockets, his shoulder hunched forward, how he hated telling her this news.
“Mrs. Reynolds, I want you to be prepared for the end as he doesn’t have much time left. His body simply can’t fight any longer; as he has just too many internal injuries. You should call his parents to let them know there isn’t much time left. I’m sure they will want to see him one last time.” He takes Maggie’s hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Grief and despair tore at her heart by his words. “Jack is estranged from his family, in fact we haven’t talked to them since our son was born. I have already started putting Jack’s personal and business affairs in order, and have tried to prepare Ryan for this, but it hasn’t been easy on him. I want to bring him tonight to see his father for the last time. He knows Jack is dying, but it has still been difficult for him to accept.” She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears.
Dr. Martin nodded, “I know this has been hard on all of you, and I have admired how strong you have been during this time. My prayers are with you.” He gave Maggie’s hand a squeeze, leaned over, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Call me if you need me, no matter what time it is.” He said before disappearing out the door.
When Jack died two days later, Maggie was with him. She could tell by the change in his breathing that death was near, she gave Jack a kiss on the cheek as she lay down beside him. She put her arm over Jack’s chest and held him tight.
“Jack, it is all right. It’s time for you to let go. Ryan and I will be fine. You have been a wonderful husband and I will love you forever.” She sat up and kissed him on his lips. Her anguish almost overcoming her control of her tears.
Jack seemed to have heard her and Maggie swore she saw him smile. He took one more breath and then everything was still, she put her head on his chest and cried for the loss of the man she loved.
She didn’t know how long she laid there before a nurse came in to check on Jack. Finding Jack dead and Maggie still holding him, the nurse helped Maggie compose herself before leaving the room. Maggie decided she wouldn’t ever marry again, as she wouldn’t ever find the same love as the one, she and Jack shared.
The insurance money would be enough to last her for years, even enough money to send Ryan to college when the time came. Maggie planned to continue with Jack’s business, as this way she could still be home for Ryan and continue having an income to help support them.
Maggie didn’t call Jack’s parents to tell them about his death, as she knew they would find a way to blame her for the accident. Considering they hadn’t been in their lives for years; she decide they wouldn’t even care.
Shortly after getting on with her life from Jack’s death, Maggie received a phone call from Mr. Reynolds, Jack’s father. He told her a Mrs. Abby Smith had called and told them of Jack’s death after reading about it in the paper. He also told her they were suing her for custody of Ryan, and she couldn’t do a single thing to stop them. They were going to prove her to be an unfit mother, and Mrs. Smith was willing to testify in their behalf to this fact.
Abby was finally getting her revenge.
Maggie’s thoughts slowly returned to the present. Quietly she watched as Mr. Reynolds approached them. She wanted to grab Ryan and run as far away as she could, as he was taking her only child away from her forever. “No, please don’t take my son away from me.” Maggie tighten her hold on Ryan. “He is all I have in this world.” She felt the nauseating sinking feeling of despair shot through her.
“Now you know how we felt about losing Jack to you.” Mr. Reynolds told her as he stood in front of her, smiling a nasty smile at knowing he was hurting her.
“I didn’t steal your son away from you, you sent him away because you wouldn’t accept me as his wife. There is a big difference between the two situations, as you could have seen Jack any time you wanted, but I doubt I’ll ever see Ryan again.” She slowly swallowed, lifted her chin, waiting for him to deny her words.
“It doesn’t matter to us. We won and you lost. Now give Ryan to me.” He smugly smiled at her.
Ryan put his arms tightly around Maggie’s neck and began crying. “Mommy, I don’t want to go. I want to stay with you. Please Mommy, I promise I’ll be a good boy.” He sobbed against Maggie’s breast.
“Ryan, you haven’t been a bad boy. I’m sorry about this sweetheart. I wish I could do something to keep you with me.” Her throat ached with defeat.
How was Maggie going to survive this separation from her son? Never again, be able to hold him as she was doing now, nor would she even be able to talk to him. Just as Mr. Reynolds touched Ryan, Maggie tighten her hold on her young son and screamed, “Please someone help us. Don’t let them take my son from me.”
The room suddenly filled with a blinding light.