The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 79

"I won't accept this. I won't."

Fidel's face wasn't just twisted anymore—his whole mind was starting to warp.

*****

Margery wiped the tears from her eyes. When she looked up again, something had hardened in her expression.

"I'm the one who lost Stefan. So I'm the one who'll bring him back."

She spoke the words aloud, as if making a vow, "He gave me everything once. Every kindness. Every bit of his heart. And I took it all for granted. I didn't appreciate any of it." Her voice grew steadier. "From now on, I'll give back a thousand times over. He'll see how I really feel. He has to."

She clenched her fists. "I can do this. Margery, you can do this."

Over and over, she rebuilt herself. Piece by piece.

Even knowing he was engaged to Sara. Even seeing photos of him with another beautiful woman at the mall. None of it mattered. Nothing could kill what she felt.

*****

A taxi pulled up in front of the aging Apex Residential District.

Stefan and Eliza got out.

"Go on." Stefan handed her the bags—several of them, full of everything they'd bought. "Your parents will worry."

Eliza looked at him, her eyes bright. "Stefan... thank you."

She felt guilty. The clothes, the shoes—it all added up to a fortune, probably hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We're old friends. Don't mention it," he smiled. "And if anything comes up, you know how to reach me."

Eliza nodded and headed inside.

The moment she walked through the door, she heard voices raised in anger. Her father, Bob Frost, was home—he'd been gone for two days—and he was arguing with her mother, Ava Frost.

Bob reeked of alcohol. He loomed over Ava, shouting, "You're telling me you don't have any money? Hand it over, or I swear I'll kill you!"

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