With that, she hurried to the front desk, her heart pounding in her chest as she handed the pastries to the receptionist.
Sanfordâs expression remained unchanged as he turned on his heel and strode out of the studio.
Maggie whispered greetings to the receptionist before following after him.
As Maggie settled into the passenger seat, Sanford turned to her, his voice softening slightly.
âWhere do you live?â
âJust in the apartment building up ahead,â Maggie replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sanford didnât utter a word as he started the car, the engineâs hum filling the uneasy silence between them.
The vehicle moved forward, but the atmosphere inside remained thick with tension, suffocating in its intensity.
Noticing the stern set of Sanfordâs jaw, Maggie felt compelled to break the silence.
âIâve already talked to him.
â
Sanford pressed his lips together tightly, his silence speaking volumes as he grappled with his own tumultuous thoughts.
He hadnât intended to get out of the car, but an uneasy feeling had gnawed at him, urging him to confront the growing storm of emotions raging within him.
Unable to hear Maggieâs conversation with Karl, Sanford could only speculate on the nature o
f their exchange.
Yet, despite Maggieâs attempts to clarify matters, Karlâs persistence grated on Sanfordâs nerves.
Caught between frustration and longing, Sanford couldnât help but wonder if Maggie would have entertained Karlâs advances had he not intervened.
What a heartless woman, It seemed Maggie had moved on quickly after their separation.
Maggie, sensing Sanfordâs growing detachment, reached out and gently tugged on his sleeve, her voice soft and pleading.
âAre you angry again? Please, donât be mad,â she pleaded.
Sanford, hearing her gentle tone, let out a sigh, his resolve wavering.
With a decisive move, he pulled over to the side of the road.
Leaning in, he trapped her between him and the seat, his gaze piercing into hers with intensity.
âMaggie, tell me honestly, if I hadnât come looking for you, would you have ever sought me out again?â
Caught off guard by his closeness, Maggie bit her lip, her thoughts racing.
âIâ¦â she began, her voice faltering.
The answer was right on the tip of her tongue.
With him moving on to marriage, she wouldnât have dared to seek him out again.
Sanfordâs eyes bore into hers, his voice dropping to a cold, menacing whisper.
âDare to deny it!â he challenged, his grip tightening on her chin.