He Can't Forget Me

08. The brother-in-law

Maxwell Philips looks at Mariana with a sarcastic smile on his lips. His cold, penetrating eyes seem to analyze her from top to bottom, as if he were studying an object of experiment.

"Surprised to see me here, sister-in-law?" he says, his voice laden with contempt.

Mariana tries to disguise her disturbance at seeing Maxwell there. She knew that he hated Maximilian, but she couldn't fully understand his motives. Now, faced with this unexpected situation, her mind is filled with doubts and fears.

"What do you want, Maxwell?" she asks, struggling to maintain her composure.

Maxwell takes a step closer, his eyes locked on hers. "I've come to offer a deal," he replies with a sinister tone. "You must have already spoken to my mother."

Behind her, Isabella steps closer and places one hand on her waist.

"Well, son, you know I always try diplomacy before everything."

"And we both know that Mariana has always preferred things the hard way, no?" he laughs, complicit.

Feeling cornered, the girl starts to walk back inside the coffee shop. She doesn't go back to the table, but realizes that it is risky to try to leave. What to do in a surreal situation like that?

She looks at Maximilian, who still has a contemptuous little smile on his face; very similar, by the way, to Isabella's.

"Why should I accept anything coming from you, considering that you never even tried to get close to me when we were still brothers-in-law?"

"You are still my sister-in-law, dear. And this arrangement can benefit you. I can offer protection, security, and even a new identity for you and the baby."

Maxwell's proposal leaves Mariana perplexed. She feels torn between the distrust he has always aroused in her and the possibility of escaping Maximilian's threats and shadow.

"What would you get out of it?" she questions, cautiously.

Maxwell shrugs, his smile widening. "Let's say this is an opportunity to redeem myself, to get rid of certain debts and clean up my image. Besides, helping my ex-sister-in-law get over my brother would be quite a diversion."

The coldness in Maxwell's words chills Mariana. She realizes that she is dealing with a dangerous and manipulative man, capable of anything to achieve his goals.

"I don't trust you, Maxwell. And I will not submit to your blackmails," she declares, firm.

Maxwell laughs, a cynical, bitter laugh.

"You should think again before refusing my offer. After all, you know very well what I am capable of."

With a quick movement, Mariana turns around and starts walking quickly toward the door of the coffee shop. Her mind is racing, trying to find a way out of this oppressive situation.

She feels Maxwell's piercing gaze on her back, but refuses to look back.

The moment she touches the doorknob, the girl hears Maxwell's quick steps behind her. He reaches for her arm and turns her sharply, forcing her to face him.

"Don't think you can just run away from me, Mariana. You know too much, and I can't risk letting you loose out there," he says, his voice filled with menace.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I am making sure that this time you will sit at that table and be a good girl. My mother will once again make you the generous offer you refused, and this time, you will say you accept."

He holds her tighter.

"If you don't let me go now," she says, in a low voice. "I'll make a scandal and you'll go to jail, just like your stupid little mama."

"Don't play games with me, girl."

"Do I look like I'm kidding?"

The two stare at each other for a few seconds.

Maxwell loosens his fingers, and that's all Mariana needs.

She kicks her former brother-in-law between his legs, and the man falls to his knees on the spot, letting out a scream of pain.

The girl runs as fast as she can down the sidewalk, praying that the kick was strong enough to hold him as long as possible.

Mariana runs through the busy streets, her heart beating fast and her breathing panting. She knows she can't let her guard down even for a second, for Maxwell is relentless and will not give up easily.

As she runs, the girl searches frantically for some safe place where she can hide and plan her next steps.

Her thoughts are confused, full of fear and anger. How did she end up in this situation? Why were Maxwell and Isabella so determined to control her life and that of her baby? The answers seem beyond her reach at the moment, but Mariana knows she must find a way to break free from this nightmare.

Had Isabella really told the truth, and was Maxmilian indeed depressed after the divorce? Or was it just a tactic to gain his trust?

Of course it was a lie. It could only be a lie. That phony bastard, who threw away his own marriage without a second thought, should be happy about it by now.

Still, that pursuit was strange, to say the least...

While looking for a safe place, Mariana spots a narrow alley to her right. Without hesitation, Mariana launches herself in that direction, running as fast as she can. She enters the alley, dodging boxes and accumulated trash, looking for a place where she can hide temporarily.

What would she do? Where could she hide? Isabella knew where she worked; her email address, everything...

There was no way out or escape. Mariana would have to give in to blackmail, or she might be putting not only her own life at risk, but also that of her son.

Mariana can no longer contain herself. Distressed, she begins to cry copiously.

Then she immediately tries to be still.

For footsteps and voices can be heard...

And they are coming closer and closer to her.