Chapter 2: She Is Mine

Maryanne now sits in a small meeting room, anxiety causing her to pick at her sleeves made of fleece. She refuses to look up, as a set of brooding, harsh eyes burns a hole into her. She gulps, heat biting at her neck.

Why does she have to be here with him? Just his gaze causes her unease.

"Is there a reason why you are even here, Mary?" Maxwell Ryder's voice is deep and causes a shiver to roll through Maryanne's spine.

He is the epitome of a rich playboy. She would know, as they had grown close years ago. He was kind, yes, but she knew that he was not a one-woman kind of man.

He is Greg's cousin on his mother's side. They weren't very close, as far as Maryanne knew, but they were around the same age. Max also lent Greg some money when they were expecting Riley so that he could pay off his debts. He is kind enough to not ask for the money back, or hold it over his cousin's head, but that does not mean he is the right fit for Riley.

There is no way that he could possibly take care of a child, especially one so young. He lives up in a penthouse that is too dangerous for Riley. His luxurious in-apartment infinity pool would be a dangerous liability with a baby. He is also never home, constantly working.

Maryanne clenches her jaw as she responds, "It is Maryanne, not Mary, and I am here to sign paperwork to take custody of Riley." She bites out her words.

Max raises his brow, a smirk curling at the ends of his lips, "Do you truly believe that you could give her a good life, Mary?"

She holds down a scoff, "Excuse me?"

"You are still working at the local library, correct? How can you possibly afford a comfortable life for Riley?"

Pressing her lips together to hold at bay her rage, Maryanne sighs, "Are you serious? Do you believe that money is everything," she mocks, a laugh building in her chest. "Don't you work eighty hours a week? Riley deserves someone to be there for her to cook her meals and read her stories at night. Someone present. Your money can only go so far, Maxwell."

His brow twitches and he folds his arms, "What is going to happen when Riley gets sick and needs to go to the hospital. How will you afford her medical care?"

Maryanne has to clench her jaw in order to stay in control. "Do you think that just because I am a simple librarian that I cannot afford to take care of a child? I have some savings put away."

"Will that be enough for the rest of her years, until she graduates from high school. Even when she wants to go to a nice college. Will you have enough?"

Max's shoulders are broad and intimidating. His head is covered in a fire of hair, freckles dotting around his cheeks perfectly. His eyes are a deep emerald that holds Maryanne at bay.

"I will figure it out."

The billionaire nods his head, his eyebrows raising momentarily. He opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted as a knock echoes from the door and a woman, in her mid-forties, enters. She holds an armful of documents.

"Good afternoon, thank you both for coming on such short notice," she says exasperated. She drops the folders onto the table before shaking both of their hands.

"It was no trouble," Maryanne insists.

Max only shrugs, "I had some time."

"How is Riley doing?"

Dianne smiles, her shoulders relaxing, "She is doing good. She misses her parents, of course, but otherwise she is adjusting well. I am sure she is excited to go to her new home, soon, though."

Maryanne forces all memories of Lucy from her mind, "Yes, how do we know who qualifies to gain custody of her?"

"That's just it, though, it is a little more difficult than we originally thought. Because neither of you are in a relationship, we must have a judge rule which of you is better suited to take care of Riley. I am sorry." Dianne cringes at her own words, looking at them.

"Are you serious," they both belt out at once.

Maryanne makes eye contact with Max, stress building up on her shoulders and irritation forming in her chest. He cocks his brow and curls the edge of his lips in another smirk. He is rich and can hire any amount of lawyers he wants, in order to get his way. How can she possibly win against him? He is a bull and will bulldoze his way through any obstacles, finding any way he can to get what he wants.

What if she really loses Riley to a rude and crass billionaire who broke her heart?