His attention turned back to Amber.” You’re not selling now?” he asked and I watched as Amber's face turned sad. She stared down at her hands and her lip trembled slightly. “We were” she began, “But the plan didn't go the way we had wanted.”

  “What plan?” All Maxwell's attention focused on his little sister. He had noticed her reaction to his question.

  “We were going to sell up, move to England and start a family.” She ran a hand through her hair and gave a little sigh. “I can't have children” she looked away but the tears were already falling down her cheeks.

  Maxwell grabbed her hand and held it tight. “How do you know that?”

  She wiped tears away with her free hand. “I had a few problems, went and saw a doctor, had tests and well...” Her eyes widened and fear crossed her face. “Please, Maxwell” she begged, chocking on her own tears. “Don't make me say it out loud!”

  “Cancer. You have cancer?” Maxwell said slowly and amber nodded. “What treatment are you getting?”

  “I had a hysterectomy and some chemotherapy. I’m just waiting to get the all clear.” She said calmly.

  “Does Mum know?”

  “No!” Amber yelled. “You can't tell her not with all the trouble she is having with dad!”

  “Dad?”

  Amber sat back in her seat and looked at Maxwell confused. “You don't know? Mum and Dad are bankrupt. Dad lost everything, he has a gambling addiction!”

  ***

  Maxwell

  I placed my phone on the coffee table. It was true... dad had a problem with gambling. My mum had lied to me. He wasn't joining her in LA. Why? James—my brother, had paid for her flight and mum was filing for divorce. I guess that's why she was determined for me to get Georgina back.

  I looked around the Villa. This was being sold as well. Everything he had worked hard for was being sold bit by bit, leaving them with nothing. How could he of been stupid? He had always been a man with complete self control.

  In fact I had based my whole business ethics on what he had taught me. Now, he lost everything... It made it all hit home, everything you had could be taken from you with one stupid mistake. What happened in New York had made me lose my wife, that one moment of stupid ness and weakness at now led me to here.

  Yeah, I had Georgina while I was here but what would happen once we went back home? I couldn’t end up like my father and I couldn't just stand back at watch his world fall apart anymore. I was in a better position than anyone in my family. God! I wanted to slap myself... mum, dad and Amber had been going through so much and I hadn't even bothered to ask if everything was okay.

  Once again business had ruled my life and I had been selfish. I had turned back into that man I was before Georgina Dawson. She had told me on many occasions but I had never listened.

  I ran my hands through my hair. It was crunch time. I had to get myself and my life sorted out before it was too late. I couldn't lose Georgina. I had to come up with something. Something that would blow her away and let her know I had changed. I had to become Mr Golden Rule again!

  I couldn't sleep even with my wife next to me for the first time in weeks. I grabbed my phone off the bedside cabinet and slowly walked into the living room. I had to speak to my mother and I couldn't rest until it had been done.

  I paced up and down as I waited for her to answer. I had no idea what the time difference was between LA and France, I also didn't give a fuck. I needed her to explain everything in her own words.

  “Hello” my mother yawned down the phone.

  “Mum!”

  “Maxwell, what are you doing calling? Something wrong?”

  “No” I sighed. “Amber has told me everything.”

  There was a slight pause and finally she replied. “She had no right to. You have enough problems at the moment.”

  “Let me help you...”

  “Nothing can be done. Your father has taken everything away.” I could hear her crying down the phone.

  “I can help you both. I can get dad help. I have the money, mum. Please let me help you.”

  “I can't let you do it, Maxwell.”

  I rolled my eyes. It was time to get into boss mode. “Mum, this is an order. When I get back to LA I will sort everything out. Tell Jay to book dad a flight.”

  “Maxwell...No.”

  “Just do it” With that I put the phone down, my eyes slowly moved to the doorway where Georgina was now standing. She had a proud smile on her face. I held out my hands for her, she strolled over and wrapped her arms around my neck.

  “That was a nice thing you just did” she smiled. “I forgot how caring you can be.”

  “You’re making me blush” I laughed.

  “You seem to be dealing with everything rather well.”

  “Because of you” I smiled, leaning back to take in her beautiful face. “When we met I was miserable, lonely and overworked.” I closed my eyes and inhaled. “The last year I was beginning to turn back into that man again. You noticed, told me and ignored you.”

  “Maxwell, we all make mistakes.”

  “I made the biggest mistake of possible. I 'm truly sorry, Georgina, Please let me make it up to you.”

  “You have already done that today.”

  “I didn't mean sex! Let me do something special...”

  “What do you have planned?”

  “All in good time, Miss Dawson. All in good time.”

  CHAPTER THIRTHTEEN

  Georgina

  I couldn't see anything, Maxwell was guiding me. The feeling of anticipation was rushing through my body. I had no idea what he was planning. All I knew is that I was outside and he had been on the phone all day.

  “Ta-dah” he whipped the blindfold off. I stared in astonishment as I looked around the boat; a table on the far side was covered in flowers, candles and a white crisp table cloth.

  Two men stood either side dressed smartly in white shirts and tight black trousers. Music was playing quietly in the background. I looked over at Maxwell in amazement. He took my hand and guided me over to the table. My chair was pulled out for me and I took my seat. My eyes looked down and in front of me was a black box.

  “Open it” Maxwell smiled as he took the seat opposite me. I slowly opened the box and my jaw dropped. I was staring down at my heart pendent, he had brought it with him. He slowly got up, took the necklace and placed round my neck. I couldn't speak. My heart was swelling up with love for this man.

  “Exactly where it should be” he kissed my cheek and instantly his composure changed. “Champagne?” I nodded, I couldn't speak. Maxwell clicked his fingers and one of the men rushed over with a bottle and began to pour.

  “I want this to be special.” Maxwell reached force my hand. “We are going to have dinner, watch the sunset and spend the whole night on this boat.”

  “A night at sea” I smiled back. “Sounds very exciting.” I picked up my glass and took a much needed sip. It tasted divine and the bubbles popped on my tongue. I had missed my Miss Dawson champagne lifestyle.

  “Good, isn't it” Maxwell smirked as he raised a suggestive eyebrow. He clicked his fingers again and this both men returned with our dinner.

  “Wow” I licked my lips as I looked down at my food.

  “You’re favourite” Maxwell said. “I remember you saying you didn't like fancy food, Miss Dawson.”

  My eyes glazed over with affection for this powerful man. Only my Mr Golden Rule could treat me to fancy set up like this and order me jacket potato, cheese and beans.

  I reached out for his hand. “Thank you” I said breathlessly as I ran my fingertip over his wedding band. Wedding band. My eyes darted down to look at it. He was still wearing his ring, was he no longer playing the game or was he just testing me?

  “The game is still on” he smirked. “I just couldn't bear to take it off.” He sat back and his blue eyes burned into me. “It is the only thing I have that still connects me to you.”

  I looked over at my bare hand, I missed mine. That tiny piece of metal that told the entire I belonged to Maxwell Thomas. How I loved belonging to him. I loved waking up with him every morning knowing I was the only woman in the world worthy enough to be his wife.

  My stomach flipped and I suddenly felt very sick. I had been stupid and childish. Why did I always deal with everything by just running away?

  “What are you thinking about?” Maxwell asked the look of worry spread across his face.

  “We’ve both made mistakes” I mumbled.

  “I know” he rubbed his brow and then his magic fingertip traced his bottom lip. He shifted in his seat and his eyes finally looked back at me.

  “I’m sorry” I pleaded. I really was sorry. I had ripped my family apart. My son was home without me, Olivia without her dad. Everything was my fault. Once again I was Miss Dawson who inflicted pain on others. My eyes welled up and couldn't hold back my tears.

  “Shh” he said in a concerned way. “Not tonight... Eat!” he demanded. “You’re going to need energy for what I have planned.”

  And he was right. I did need energy as we made love three times. That night I decided it was time to go back to my husband and I wasn’t ever going to let him go again.

  ***

  Maxwell

  I waited until Georgina was deeply asleep. I slipped into some shorts and heading on deck with my mobile. I searched my phone for Jay's number. Earlier I had given him a massive list of orders and I needed to know if he had dealt with them.

  “Mr Thomas,” Jay answered his voice full of happiness.

  “Did you manage to do everything?”

  “Yes” he relied confidently. “Everything is in place just like you asked.”

  “What about the lawyers?”

  Jay gave a little chuckle. “They will meet you at the hotel just like you requested. All you have to worry about is getting there before 3pm.”

  I gave a sigh of relief. The lawyers were a big part of my plan. Without them the whole thing would backfire and I couldn't risk that.

  “Good, if something comes up please let me know” I ordered.

  “Mr Thomas” his tone was now sounding more serious. “Do you think this is wise? I’m only thinking of Mrs Thomas, this could have a devastating effect on her.”

  “She deserves it” I yelled. “Now remember not a word to anyone. Good night, Jay.” I hit the end button and clutched my fist around my phone. She did deserve this more than ever now. Tomorrow we would be returning home and Georgina was going to get the shock of her life.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Georgina

  It was time to finally head home. I watched as Maxwell checked his phone again. Since yesterday morning he and that phone had been inseparable. Every time I had stepped in a room he would lower his voice and quickly end the call. I had a strange feeling he was up to something. I wondered if he was still in contact with her.

  I gazed out of the airplane window and rested my head against my seat. The last few days had been amazing. I had been trapped in a world of tranquillity with my Mr Golden Rule by my side. Now it was back to reality and LA. Then the dread set in, I didn't know where I was going to go or where I was going to stay.

  I had been hoping that maybe Maxwell would ask me to move back home, but he hadn't. Maybe after everything he still wanted to get divorced. I really hoped not, I had never needed or wanted my husband more than now. I wished he needed me.

  I glanced down at my wedding ring free hand and the sadness drifted through my body. I no longer cared about him being controlling or caring about his work. That was just who he was and I wished I had realized this before. He loved to own everything in his world and who was I to deny him that.

  My eyes wandered in his direction, he was still on that phone. I now knew it was most probably work! A few more hours and we would be home. I hoped he let me come home.

  I wanted get my family back together. I no longer wanted to work. I wanted to spend time with Bailey and Olivia. I wanted to change my life and be a proper mother. I needed to get to know Olivia. I knew she secretly blamed me for Debbie not being around. I grew up for a few years without my mother and I could understand how she may of felt. Maybe I could be to her what Caitlyn was like to me.

  I felt Maxwell take the seat beside me and all my thoughts drifted away. He placed his arm around my shoulder and rested his head on mine.

  “Everything okay?” I asked, now noticing the phone had made another disappearing act.

  “Yes” he coughed. “Nothing to worry about” his voice gave me the opposite impression. I closed my eyes, I could no longer think about what was going to happen back in LA.

  ***

  Maxwell

  The palms of my hands were sweating big time and I swear my anxiety levels were getting out of control. Jay had picked us up from the airport and we were heading to the Hilton Hotel. I looked over at Georgina as she stared out the car window. I was really glad she hadn't caught on that something was going on.

  It had to work, otherwise all my hard work I had put in the last few days would be a waste of time. This couldn't back fire even though now I didn't have that much to lose.

  We were getting closer to our destination and my nerves were starting to take over. I was wondering whether I should back out just in case it did blow up in my face.

  No, I wasn't a quitter and I had to see this through. What ever happened I would just have to live with the consequences. Good or bad.

  Jay pulled up outside the hotel and I watched as despair covered Georgina's face. A little smirk came to my lip that was exactly the expression I was hoping for.

  She waited a second before she removed her seat belt. “I get it” she shrugged, not once making eye-contact with me. “Thank you for a wonderful time in Cannes, Maxwell. I will see you around work.” She got out of the car and I followed. Spun round shocked to see me standing by her side. “What are you doing?”

  “We have an important meeting. Come on,” I grabbed hold of her hand and led her inside. “We haven't got much time” I said over my shoulder. I marched into the hotel and straight to the room I had made Jay book in advance.

  I stopped outside the door and took in a deep breath. This was it. The moment I had been waiting days for was finally here. I strolled in and came to abrupt stop. Georgina's eyes looked at mine and her lawyer Mr Clarke sat waiting for us.

  She immediately let go of my hand and spun round to face me. “What are you doing?” She cried, her eyes doing that rapid moving thing they did when she was stressed.

  I walked over to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “Sit” I demanded.

  Georgina narrowed her eyes at me and folded her arms. “No!”

  I tilted my head to the side and gave her my knicker combusting smile. “Sit” I said more softly this time.

  “No” she repeated.

  “Sit down, please and I will explain everything to you.” I urged her on with my eyes and finally she obeyed. “Both our lawyers are here...”

  “I can see that” she spat cutting me off.

  “Will you listen” I tutted, she sat back in her seat and once again folded her arms. Always as impatient as ever. “Both our lawyers are here” I clicked my fingers and Mr Clarke placed a document and pen in front of Georgina. “Here it is plain and simple. This is all up to you.” I rested my hands on the back and her blue eyes looked up at me.

  I swallowed hard, she was perfect and beautiful. “If you want a divorce then you just have to sign. I will sign too and our marriage will be over from today.”

  “And if I don't?” Her eyes returned back to the table.

  “You just rip it up in front of my face” I whispered. “Our fate is in your hands.”

  Her blue eyes drifted from the document and then back up at me. She slowly picked up the pen and hesitated before she quickly signed.

  My heart broke in two, she had done it. I could watch anymore and turned my back on her. What had I just done?

  “Oh, Mr Thomas” I could hear the humour in her voice. I looked over my shoulder and she was smiling. In one swift movement she ripped the document in half and through it up in the air. I let out a hysterical laugh. I ran over and pulled her into my arms as our divorce papers rained down on us.

  My hands cupped her face and my heart was beating fast. It had never beaten this fast in my life. “What... What did you do?” I couldn't hold back my joy or the fact I had tears pouring down my cheeks.

  “I thought you wanted me to sign” she sniffed back her own tears. “Then I watched your reaction and knew I had made a huge mistake.”

  “Good” I smiled down at her. “As the next part wouldn't have worked out if you had stuck to your decision.” Once again I grabbed hold of her hand. “Come!”

  CHAPTER FIFTHTEEN

  Georgina

  Maxwell dragged me out of the room and into the hotel lobby. I looked around and everyone I loved was right there, right in front of me; my dad, Caitlyn, mum, Dee, Amy and most of my entire baby boy.

  My hand hit my chest. “What are they doing here?”

  Maxwell turned me to face him and dropped down in front of me on one knee. “Georgina Elizabeth Thomas.” I actually felt my heart stop mid-beat. “Will you be my bride again?”

  I didn't have to think this time and I did hesitate. The word 'yes' escaped my lips instantly.

  “Well then” he smiled, rising up on to his feet. “You have one hour to get yourself ready.”

  “I can't” the smiled dropped from my face. “I have nothing to wear.”

  “Its okay” said a familiar voice. “The flashy fucker has sorted everything.”

  “Thank you, Amy” Maxwell snapped. “She is right, though. I have sorted everything.”

  I could feel that cheesy grin plastered all over my face. I couldn't take my eyes off my handsome man. I really could have jumped him here and now. My Mr Golden Rule had thought of everything and I loved him even more. Maxwell clapped his hands in an authorizing manner that brought back to planet Earth immediately.