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Chapter 24: Left Alone
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 25: Confrontation
Maryanne holds at bay her anxiety as she says goodbye to her friends. Max stands across the foyer and yet she can feel his stare burning a hole in the back of her head. Jessica is all but dragging Shelley from the house as their coworker continues to argue. Veronica leaves them behind and walks to her car, waving goodbye to them before driving away quickly. Shelley finally throws Jessica off and walks to her SUV on her own. She throws open the door and gets in, slamming herself in with a tantrum.Jessica sighs and waves at Maryanne once more before also leaving.All too eager and yet reluctant to slam the door, Maryanne waits, staring at the now closed door, emotions building up into her throat. The silence in the house is almost deafening, ringing in her ears. Maryanne wonders if she can just quietly walk up to her room without being confronted. She knows it is a slim chance, since Max is just standing there and staring at her. She can hope though. She refuses to even look at him
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 26: Shelley, Down!
The next day Maryanne enters work with dread filling her chest. She does not want to face Shelley or really any questions about what had happened. She is emotionally exhausted after her talk with Max and the pressure of the woman's constant nagging only causes the stress to weigh down on her shoulders. Max has refused to talk to her since then, but every time that she caught him looking at her, he would smirk. It causes irritation to be her constant companion. He is toying with her; he has to be.Why does he decide to be nice only some of the time? He buys her a car, and yet ignores her. He is too complicated for Maryanne to figure out.It technically is her fault for using him in the first place, but his reaction is unnecessary. Maryanne was only trying to protect him from Shelley, right? What other reason would she have?She reaches her desk and sighs, placing her rugged purse next to her chair and taking off her jacket. The winter cold still bites at her bones and she finds herself
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 27: Danger Alert
Maryanne never likes driving in the city. It is always too crowded and bustling. She is not the best driver, and so the possibility of getting into a car accident only increases. As she pulls into the parking lot of the restaurant, Riley begins to get worked up, pulling at her seat belt and crying. Maryanne's stress level elevates as she parks and unbuckles."Just wait," she calls back to the child as she opens the door. "One second." Trying to get Riley out of the car is turning out to be more of a hassle than Maryanne first thought. Riley shrieks that she is hungry and hot as Maryanne tries to put the girl's jacket on. Riley wriggles her arms from the sleeves, large crocodile tears falling down her puffy cheeks. Maryanne fights the urge to scream."Come on Riley, just behave, please," Maryanne finds herself begging Riley, her throat closing, making it difficult to speak.The girl refuses, though, now resorting to kicking and throwing herself back into her car seat."Riley," Maryann
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 28: Saved By The Billionaire
As Maryanne pulls away from the woman, the stranger's nails drag across her flesh, slicing deep. She releases a whimper, almost tipping over a chair. She bites any retort she might have back as the woman continues to advance.The terror pulsating through Maryanne's body has her vision wavering. She remembers that Riley is in her grasp and she tries to build the confidence to protect her."What do you want," Maryanne shouts, glancing around in hopes that someone will intervene. Some of the other families are watching in horror, while a waiter runs across the floor into the back of the restaurant. She tightens her grip and shifts so that Riley is not close to the woman. She looks around, searching for a way out. Her arm throbs in tune with her racing heart. She can feel the warm blood dripping down her skin, but ignores it as her attention is tuned in on the crazed stranger in front of her.The woman's face is distorted, and her eyes are sunken into her face. "I want Riley. I should
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 29: Bodyguard Please!
As Maryanne breathes in deeply, her arm still throbbing, the doctor leans back, adjusting his glasses. They are all within the main living room of the mansion, Max having forced her to sit down as soon as they arrived."It was a good choice in calling me. Even small cuts such as these can turn for the worse if untreated." He closes his case of medical equipment.Maryanne shifts her arm around, seeing if the slight throb will fall into agony. She winces as she proves her hypothesis right, and the gauze tightens. She lowers her arm once more and holds back the painful sigh caught in her throat.Max is hovering over the side of the doctor, his arms folded and his brow hard. "But she's okay doctor?" He only steps back in order to allow the man to stand up from his chair.He nods, staring down at Maryanne's wrapped arm, "Yes, perfectly healthy. I treated the wounds and wrapped them, but they should start closing up shortly.""Thank you very much." Max releases one of his arms in order to
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 30: Family Life
Riley giggles and dances around the room, throwing tassels up in the air.Maryanne smiles as she watches the young girl. She is untangling some string lights as Max is resituating the evergreen in their large living room, making sure it isn't tilting. He is wearing a tight t-shirt that hugs his muscles, his body rippling with the effort of his task. He grunts as he almost loses his grip on the tree.Maryanne presses her lips together briefly to hold back a laugh. Frustration builds in her chest as the lights only become more tangled. She sighs and drops her hands, "Remember, you agreed, we're on a budget." She rubs her arm that has only just recently healed from Caroline's attack. She has faint pink scars zipping across her flesh. They are only noticeable when the light catches them at the right moment."Yes, yes, I know," Max sighs, standing back. He cocks his head to the side to eye his work. Satisfied, he pivots toward Maryanne and grabs the lights from her grasp, untangling them
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 31: Christmas Together
As the sun brightens Maryanne's room, causing her to stir, she stretches, squinting. Finally, it's Christmas. She rolls to the side of her bed in a rush. Grabbing her phone from her nightstand, Maryanne sends a quick mass text to her entire family before throwing off her blankets and jumping up. She wonders if her family is spending today together, since she is unable to be there with them. Next year she will hopefully be able to spend it with them. Her plan is to bring Riley along if she is granted sole custody.It is odd for her not to hear any shouting from Riley. Geneva and the rest of the staff were given the day off, thanks to Max's generosity, so it is up to them to feed and care for Riley. It is a good opportunity to showcase their parental abilities.She cannot help but grin when she thinks about Riley opening her presents. The giddiness takes hold and she fights down the urge to jump around.Maryanne changes into a comfy pair of Christmas themed sweatpants and throws on
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 32: Presents Galore!
The three inhabitants of the mansion sit together in the living room, the snow outside glistening. Each present is handed out, placed in a pile next to each individual."Riley, open your first present." Maryanne returns to her seat on the couch, near Max.Riley sits cross-legged on the ground in front of the two adults.She bounces around giggling as she grabs the first box.Rifling through each present, Riley giggles and squeals every time she sees what she was gifted. Maryanne gave her a fairy princess indoor tent, as well as a few dolls and an indoor slide. Max on the other hand had bought her a tablet to play learning games on, a large remote control car that she can ride around in, and a makeshift ball pit.Max chuckles as Riley runs around, "Looks like she enjoyed them all."Maryanne nods, "I'm very glad you didn't go over the agreed upon budget."Displaying mock shock, Max folds his arms, "Of course, you asked me not to.""Here, open you presents." Maryanne turns so that her
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Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 50: The Final Decision
Sitting in the pristine courtroom, Maryanne tries to remain calm. For the last year she has been dreaming of this day. For the chance to fight for Riley and gain custody.It is different now. Maryanne glances to her side and looks at Max who sits tensely, talking with his lawyer. She wonders if what she is going to do will be the best for Riley.The judge leans forward from his seat, "From what I have understood, this has been quite a year for the both of you, as I am sure it has been for Riley. I had my reoccurring doubts about how you two would manage the time spent together in one house, but I can see it has worked very well for you. I understand that you each want sole custody, and I am willing to grant it to one of you, but I would like to hear your testimonies on why you deem yourself fit for sole guardianship."Maryanne nods and organizes the paperwork she has in front of her. Taking a sip of her water and then taking a deep breath in, Maryanne clears her throat. "Thank you,
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 49: Confrontation
Maryanne grips her phone tightly, her body trembling as they pull into the parking lot of the old house. It isn't far from where their house is. Caroline was this close all along.Max puts the car into park and turns the ignition off, "Maryanne, you shouldn't've come. Stay in the car." He glances at her for only a second before opening his door.Maryanne bites out, "I am not staying in here when Riley is in there." She swings open her own door, fighting the tingle in her legs causing her muscles to be weak. She takes a sharp breath in and tries to reorient herself before fear causes her to panic."Maryanne," Max warns as he quickly moves towards the front door.Maryanne refuses to back down and is right behind him, her eyes wide with terror.Max glances back toward her before huffing, "Fine, just call the cops while we're here. We can't wait for them to arrive but having them here will help.""Okay," she nods and swipes open her phone.It takes a few rings before the call is answ
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 48: The True Culprit
It has been several hours since Maryanne stood before the reporters and spoke about Riley. Nothing has come of her speech except more phone calls with strangers' saying how sorry they were and that they hope that Riley is found quickly.Maryanne can't help but think it is odd that the kidnapper has not called them yet. If it was related to Max's work, then it would be about a ransom. Max has enough money. So why not call and blackmail him into giving them an insane amount of untraceable cash? What else could be a motivator?Max paces back and forth across the living room. Neither have been able to go back to their rooms. It is too close to Riley's for comfort. Maryanne has barely slept. The exhaustion is taking its hold on her, but she is fighting it. She shouldn't be sleeping while everyone else is still awake and searching for Riley. Max has barely shown any sign of exhaustion. He is grim and alert at the same time.He grumbles, pausing at the main window and watching the reporters,
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 47: Optimistic
"Max, are you sure that this will work?"They both sit within the living room, printing off pictures of Riley that read 'Missing: Riley Ryder' at the top and the bottom says 'Reward: $1,000,000'. Maryanne sits and stares at the picture, wondering if they will ever see her again.Max shrugs, "I can only hope. If nothing comes of it, then I'll raise the amount. I'll use this house if I have to.""What if they aren't able to find her?""They will, don't worry." He pauses as he stacks some of the paperwork. Geneva rushes about around them, grabbing papers and heading out the door with them.One of the detectives enters the living room, his cellphone in hand. "My men are searching the entire town and into the city to find Riley."Max straightens, facing the man, "Do you have any leads?"He cringes softly, "Not at this moment, no." he turns to Maryanne, his voice gentler, "We wanted to ask a favor of you, Maryanne, if that is alright?"She frowns as confusion lines her features, "Me?
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 46: Waiting Game
Maryanne is huddled on the main couch of the living room; her body still not calm. Her hands tremble as she worries about Riley. There still has been no new updates regarding the case and it has been hours. The head detective has been telling Maryanne and Max to remain in the house. They have set up a trace on their phones in case the kidnapper calls with a ransom. They need the both of them within the house in case they get that call, so that they can talk to the culprit. Although Maryanne is petrified of talking to anyone remotely close to a suspect, she only wants Riley home, safe. She will do anything she can to make sure that happens. Max enters the living room, hanging up on a call, but Maryanne isn't able to hear who it was with. He sighs and stands quietly for a moment, just watching Maryanne as she stares off across the room, her eyes wide and bloodshot. Her knees are up by her chest, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders for warmth. She tries to tune out the aggravating voi
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 45: CRISIS!
Maryanne frowns when she picks up her phone that is vibrating against her desk, echoing within the library. Geneva? Why would she be calling her right now?"Hello," she answers after bringing the phone to her ear.The maid sounds like a whimpering mess. Maryanne can hear through the phone that she has been crying by the wilt in her tone, "Oh Miss, I am so sorry. I don't know what to do. I called the police, they're on their way. I haven't told Mister Ryder yet. I don't know what to do."Tension tightens its grip around Maryanne's heart." Geneva, slow down. What are you talking about?"It takes a moment before Geneva is able to compose herself, "It's Riley, Miss. She's gone."Dread causes Maryanne's entire complexion to pale and her chest to fall into her stomach, "What do you mean, she's gone?""I can't find her anywhere. The back door is broken, the window shattered, and her room is a wreck. I just cleaned it before she took a nap, so it shouldn't have been so messy." Geneva stops
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 44: Happy Ending?
"Why won't you make what we have official?"Maryanne doesn't have enough time to process what Max has said before he ambushes her with the question. She channels everything in her power into not choking on her own saliva.Once she has composed herself, she says, "Because, Max, I'm not sure what this even is.""Maryanne, you have feelings for me, right?""Yes." Although she doesn't want to admit it, there is no way around it.Max shrugs, his brow wrinkling, "Then what's the problem?""It's not just as simple as going out with you." Maryanne's body is tightening with frustration. How can he not see it?"Why not?"Working hard not to release her irritation, Maryanne breathes in deeply. "Because we have history Max."He scoffs and waves his hand as though he is brushing off their previous interactions, "I don't care about the past."Maryanne wants to scream at him. She was crushed by what he had done. Although she now knows that Daniel sent her the pictures, she is still not cert
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 43: Awkward. . .
As the sun shines into the bedroom, slowly rousing Maryanne, she groans. Stretching, the blanket shifts against her bare skin and causes a cold shiver to wrap around her body. Releasing a short breath, tension explodes in her chest when the memories from the night prior wash over her. She holds down a gasp lodged in her throat as she turns her head and see's Max lying next to her. She tries to push herself to the edge of the bed, her mind racing with what to do. As she remembers each moment of their night together, a heat thickens in the pit of her abdomen, her body fighting against her mind.Checking once more to make sure he is asleep, Maryanne slips from under the covers, pushing away the cold biting at her neck, and grabs a t-shirt from her closet. Once on, she grabs a clean pair of underwear and some sweatpants. "Good morning." As Max's gravelly, half-asleep voice rumbles through the room and shakes Maryanne's chest, she freezes.Hiding her embarrassment, she tries to say conf
Her Billionaire and Her Baby Chapter 42: Night Of Passion
It was probably a very bad idea to drink at dinner. With only three glasses of wine in her system, Maryanne was very tipsy. Her vision is blurred around the edges, while her head is light. Although their ride home is for the most part smooth, Maryanne finds herself shifting back and forth, unable to keep herself steady. Max eyes her, concerned, and places his arm around her shoulder in order to hold her upright."Are you drunk," his voice is deep and intense as his hot breath hits her ear. Maryanne holds back the soft moan that fights its way up into her throat. This is not good. Her willpower to hold back is starting to weaken. She places a hand on Max's knee in order to help steady herself, but it only causes Max to jump with the sudden movement."Maryanne," he says cautiously.She is unable to create a coherent sentence so she just hums, "hm?""Are you alright?"Maryanne nods, her head lolling back. She can see the lights of the house down the street. She closes her eyes and
