chapter 8

Logan paced the guestroom his head turning to the door periodically. He was waiting for her to co.e to him and apologize like she always did. He waited for an hour and she still didn't show up. He frowned at the door, looking at it like it was the cause of the current situation. She had refused him.. She'd never once refused him before, heck, she was the one always instigating. Why was she acting so differently now? Was she really that and at him for forgetting their son? It wasn’t a big deal, the boy was okay now and was fast asleep. It's not like he got traumatized or anything.

In that moment, his phone rang, he glanced at it thinking it was Christa and was ready to ignore it, but it was his uncle, Ryan Renfry. He cleared his throat before he picked up the phone.

“Hello, Uncle.”

The voice at the other end of the line was a deep baritone voice “Hello Loahan, how have you been?”

“Very well Uncle.” He paused a bit, “To what do I owe this honor?”

“I've been informed that Christa is back in town. I hope she's not causing you any trouble?”

That was one way of calling it, “What do you mean sir?”

“You’re a married man now. You shouldn’t be associated with someone from your past, especially a problematic ex like Christa.”

“I can assure you, sir, there's no problem here.”

“Hmmm. Well, I'll see for myself anyway.”

“Sir?” Logan asked in shock, “What do you mean you'll see for yourself?”

“Well, I'm almost done with wrapping up everything here in Japan, so I'll be returning to America in two months.”

“Oh. That's wonderful.” He responded with fake enthusiasm.

“Yes, it is. Try not to screw things up before I return i don't enjoy cleaning up your messes” And he cut the call.

Logan groaned in frustration, flinging his phone onto the bed.

He groaned even louder muttering to himself, “Stupid fucking bastard. You're not even a true Renfry, and you're talking to me like that. Your mother was a whole maid. Stupid fucking fucker.” He took a deep breath to calm himself refusing to get even more upset.

Then he tiptoed out of the room, taking care not to make too much noise, and he went to see what Marybeth was doing. His loathing went slack with shock at the sight of her sleeping peacefully. She looked unbothered by his attitude and was sleeping, snoring softly. It seemed it was only he who was disturbed.

This situation disturbed him and it felt out of his control. He went back to his room and decided that he wanted to control the narrative again, he texted Christa.

You can come over here tomorrow. Oh, and bring your stuff.

Christa responded soon after, Ouu, can't wait, my love.

He dropped his phone and sighed contentedly. He didn't like how it felt as though Marybeth was undisturbed by his actions so he was going to disturb her world a bit more.

Marybeth woke up to the sound of tinkling laughter coming from downstairs. She quickly got dressed, wondering if Logan had a guest and refused to tell her about it to catch her off guard. She walked down the staircase, halting in her steps as she saw Christa curled around Logan on the couch, they were watching a funny show, and that explained their laughter. As though noticing her presence, they both turned to look at her.

“Oh hi Marybeth!” Christa called out casually, “Can I call you Marybeth? Logan said it was ok.”

“What are you doing here?” She asked instead, i* bring her a question.

“Oh did Logan not tell you?” She smacked Logan’s arm playfully, “Logan, I thought you told her already?”

“Told me what?”

“I decided it was a waste of money to have Christa stay in a hotel; she'll be staying here with us for the time being, till she's able to stand on her feet.”

So that was his play. “I see.” She responded simply turning to go back up the stairs

Why didn’t they just get her a job then and send her on her way?

“Ah!” Christa suddenly cried out, “Since you're awake, I hope you wouldn't mind cooking me some of your delicious meals. I've heard great things from Logan.”

“No.” She said in response, “My meals are for people I see as family and people that I love. You don't fall in either category.”

Suddenly Christa burst into tears, “See, Logan, I told you she wouldn't want me here. My presence here is disrupting your home. I should go.” She got up to leave but Logan pulled her back down.

“No, you're not going anywhere. You're family to me, so you'll all stay here. And don't worry. If she doesn't want to cook for you. I will..”

Logan was going to cook? Thatan had never entered a kitchen or held a knife for as long as she'd known him. So he could cook? Guess his skills just were not meant for her.

“I'll leave you guys to it then.” Marybeth said, nodding her head in goodbye and going back up the stairs to the bedroom, “Oh, be sure wherever you put her to sleep is far away from my son.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Logan asked frowning up at her.

“It means I don't want her anywhere near my son.”

“Don’t worry. Christa can't handle sleeping alone, so she'll be sleeping with me.”

His response made her pause, and then she turned to him.

“You’re not even trying to hide it anymore, huh?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

“Alright then.” She responded, heading back to her room, not before she noticed Christa send a sly smirk her way.

Once she was gone, Christa turned to Logan, “Do you think that shook her a bit?”

“It seems so.” He responded and they laughed. She snuggled closer to him.

“I cannot believe that soon all of this will be mine. I get to share this with you”

Ugh. Logan thought, trying to hide his disgust. She wasn't even trying to hide how greedy she was. It was very insane for this woman in his arms to trust his words after everything she had done to him. He thought about his uncle, who would be coming back in two months, and realized he had to come up with a plan to send Christa out of his life as soon as he could. Else he'd have he'll to pay.

Marybeth was back in the master bedroom packing up her things. She didn't want to forget anything that she deemed important. As she was packing she saw their wedding photo. She, dressed in a traditional white wedding gown, was smiling widely while Logan, dressed in a black suit, was stoic, his face giving no emotions whatsoever. She looked at the picture, a myriad of emotions welling up within her- sadness, regret, heartbreak, and others. She looked at the picture of the woman whose love was enough to melt even the coldest of hearts; that woman was gone now. Reality had taught her a different lesson.