Maggie's question took Karl by surprise.

He scratched his head, caught off guard. Taking a deep breath, he decided to be upfront.

"Yeah, Maggie, I do. Wanna be my girlfriend?"

Maggie met his gaze and sighed. "Karl, I'm sorry. You're a great friend, but that's all."

Karl nodded understandingly. “Yeah, I get it. You're still into Sanford. I'll wait."

He'd sensed this all along, so he kept his feelings to himself, hoping time might sway her.

If she moved on from Sanford, maybe then he'd have a shot.

"You don't have to hold out hope. I'm giving Sanford another shot,"

Maggie said firmly.

Karl's smile dimmed as he watched her.

"You're giving him another chance? Maggie, you know he's getting hitched, right?"

Maggie persisted, "I'm aware, but he doesn't love his fiancée. I believe there's hope."

Karl's brow furrowed. “Maggie, you remember how his mom treated you, right? Being his wife's no cakewalk."

Maggie's grip tightened. “I get it, but I'm ready to stand up for what I want, even if it's tough. I won't back down anymore."

She had chickened out before, but not this time. She was standing her ground.

She knew she had to give it her all to avoid any regrets.

Even if she got roughed up, it'd be a tale to tell in her old age.

Karl's eyes darkened as he clocked Maggie's determined look.

He knew he was a long shot from the get-go, but he held onto a glimmer of hope.

He wished she'd finally see him one day. But now, she'd crushed that hope.