Maeve's POV

Two days had passed since Seth left, we spoke to each other once a day, with the time zones depriving at-least one of us of sleep.
The third morning, as I was ready to get to office, the bell rang.
George Flynn was at my door on a Thursday morning, dressed in a business suit and a grim expression.

"What a pleasant surprise!" I exclaimed not quite understanding his demeanour but letting him in nonetheless. Of course my words were merely courteous, he hardly met me in Seth's absence. And I believe he hadn't even met Seth recently because of Seth's recent discovery of his betrayal.
"I wouldn't say that, Maeve." His tone was serious as he welcomed himself to sit on the sofa.

"Seth is still not home, I'm afraid. Could I be of any assistance instead?" I said, then looked up to see Mrs Rose and gestured her to make tea.

"I came to speak to you." He pulled out a brown envelope from his inner pocket and handed it to me.
"Oh?" I was confused, investigating the object before pulling out it's contents.
I schooled my expression upon seeing my husband having what looked like a romantic dinner with none other than Miss Stella I-Have-A-Baby.

"I don't understand." I feigned ignorance, if I acted wounded he would capitalise on that and I couldn't let him do that.

"Let me make it simple." His derogatory tone was not appreciated, "your husband is out having dinner with his ex girlfriend who is the mother of his child."
I maintained a blank expression. I understood what he said, yet I had no idea why he was bringing it up in my audience.

"I had to receive calls at five in the morning regarding that, and I had to pull far too many strings to shut this down. Your marriage is not supposed to allow this!" His voice was raising and so was his temper.

"Seth is a grown man, he can make his own decisions. I can't and won't interfere with that." His concern was well placed, dare I say, well deserved. Flynn Ind. was targeted by every publication and what the CEO did affected the company by a lot.

"Then I was wrong about you. You are a fool." I let out an astonished gasp, deeply offended.

"You are crossing a line."

"I went to great lengths to take that girl out of his life. Paid her plenty too. She is toxic for my son! And now, for your relationship. Believe it or not, Seth could never meet a girl like you if it was in his hands. He is blinded by this delusion that your gender can do no wrong." He grunted, I took his compliment with a pinch of salt as he continued on, "You are in this now, I've seen my son run around like a lost puppy behind her for years." He smiled briefly at Mrs Rose who placed a cup of tea infront of him.

"What are you talking about?"

"You have heard their love story from his side, now listen to a third person. She ruined him. Don't believe a single word that leaves her bastard mouth." He was getting even more riled up, his ears turning red, "Her activities were enough to dent his entire career if I had not been there. That son of hers? Just a ticket to my will, I can assure you. The first Flynn would be direct in line for the Flynn Ind. You are far too navie, child, she cares very very little for your husband. Just the money be comes with."
His words surprised me very little as it wasn't something I didn't know.

"Seth is aware of her intentions, you need not worry." I said to which he shook his head.

"Seth is far too emotional. These pictures are a prime example of it. Your marriage is already questioned and if this got out? Everything comes down, the stocks, the reputation and with it your company. You are sensible and I have seen your work, don't be swayed by what Seth says." I took in his words, then the pictures that were in my hand. How was she even there where he was? Did he invite her? No, he wouldn't. Yet the world would take it to be so.

"I will take your words with caution, George, I know this is your own way of caring for him but I can tell you that Seth has grown up. He isn't a college boy anymore."

The entire drive to the office, I feared George was right. Was I naive to hand over all decisions regarding this to Seth? Should I have supervised? Trust was the only thing I treasured in a relationship but I wasn't blinded by it. So, when I had some time between a meeting, I called him.

"Hey, Maeve." His voice was low, the surrounding eerily quiet. It would be seven in the evening there but it sounded like mid night.

"Where are you?"

"At my hotel." Now he spoke clearly.

"With?" I didn't feel the slightest ashamed to ask him that.

"Stella and John. John fell asleep in my room." I wanted to reach out and slap him, his blunt answer got on my nerves.

"You let them in your hotel room?! Seth!" I pinched the bridge of my noses, perhaps George was right.

"He was so excited, Maeve, you should've seen. I couldn't say no."

"He is a child, Seth, you are not. What would the headline read if a photographer spotted you?! If having dinner with her alone was not enough!" I could understand Georges anger, because I felt it coursing through me. Well, mine had quite a bit of jealousy.

"How did you know?"

"That bothers you?" I exasperated, "you know what, Seth, I've done my job. Do what you wish after this."

"Maeve, Maeve! Listen!" He said, making me put the phone back to my ear.

"She came here and brought him along. If I'm going to be in his life, he has to accept me and that doesn't happen in a few days." I was getting angrier but I held my words, "I know about photographers and I was cautious but apparently not enough. She came out of no where during dinner and would make a scene if I forced her to leave. There is no one I wish for to be here more than you, Maeve Flynn."

"Those sound like well thought out excuses. But I stick to what I said earlier. Do what you wish, Seth. But keep in mind, I am not your father. I will not hide your mistakes. If you can't own up and fix them consider this null and void."  I had left him to make his own choices and they were making my life harder.

"You have nothing to worry about." He said in a soft voice. Though, before I could agree or disagree another voice could be heard.

"Trouble in paradise?" Stellas unmistakeable voice sounded.

"Stella, not now."

"Yeah, keep the pants on till the wife leaves the scene." I muttered in utter disappointment in Seth.
"Good bye, Seth. I hope you figure this out." If I clutched on tighter, perhaps I would've won but our relationship would've lost. Even through all that, I trusted Seth, with all my heart but one blow and it would all be over.

"I will, Maeve. I'll see you tomorrow." I didn't say anything, only hung up.

I went back to work forgetting my personal issues for a while. The clock struck eight as I left the office building. Usually, Seth called at around half past nine or so but I doubted he would after what happened that afternoon.

Yet my phone rang at quarter to ten, I was listening to soothing music in my bathtub surrounded by bubbles. The water was hot enough to give a good sting and the strawberry and vanilla scent flooded my senses. I had a glass of champagne resting in the corner and candles all around. It was too peaceful for me to go back to my problems, nevertheless I did.

I wiped one of my hands and picked up my phone, "Hey."
"Still angry?"

"No, I just want you to come home." I had thought this over and I wanted exactly that, to have him in front of my eyes and ask him everything. I shifted the bubbles with my other hand when I heard the bathroom door open and I let out a small squeak.
"Mrs R-" I stopped mid sentence upon seeing Seth with the phone pressed against his ear.

"Honey, I'm home!" He exclaimed nonchalantly, his dress shirt was untucked and the first few buttons were undone. He closed the door behind him and I just watched in silence as he placed the phone on the sink and smiled at me.

"Mind if I get in?" My eyes widened at his request yet I shook my head like a fool. I watched as he slowly removed his clothes. I squealed and looked away as he took off his boxers and not a second later I felt the water shift as he got in from the other side. The bubbles had managed to keep me covered at all the right places or so I thought. Suddenly it wasn't just the steam that was heating up the space.

The bathtub was big enough to accommodate us both. Once I was sure he got in, I looked up at him.

"Y-you got an early flight?" I mentally cringed at the stutter in the beginning.

"It's my plane, Maeve." He said with a smirk, leaning towards me. I leaned back a fraction but he wasn't planning on getting close to me, just steal my champagne.

"Excuse me! That's mine."

"Come get it then." His eyes were full of mischief as he brought the glass to his lips and took a sip. Well, two can play a game. I leaned forward and his eyes widened. With surprise on my side, I took the glass from him and smirked.

"Seth, all these games are fun when reality isn't as twisted." I paused, "Your father paid me a visit today." He sobered up, staring at me with a shocked expression.

"I am not your caretaker, I do not have time to follow you around or deal with the tabloids. If you think you are doing something that you feel is right, make sure to take the implications it has on our marriage and this company into consideration. Spending the night with your ex might have been overlooked if it was a year back. Now, things have changed." I maintained a professional tone.

"I never meant for it to happen, and I will speak to dad about it too. You are no way my caretaker, Maeve, you are my wife. My partner and nothing I do is with the intention of hurting that."

"Why didn't you call me? Send me a text that she had arrived with your son for an impromptu family trip?"

"I didn't want you to worry." I scoffed, "And I have no plans of completing her family. I have my own. You are my family."

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