The abrupt shift left Sanford momentarily disoriented, his response tinged with both frustration and desire.

His voice, hoarse with unspoken longing, betrayed his feelings.

“Maggie, it will be the death of me if you don't go further."

Her smile was both sly and sweet as she posed her question, "Sanford, do you love me?"

His eyebrows lifted in an expression that was both playful and earnest as he nodded. "Yes."

"Then, for my sake, please be celibate so you can live a long life,"

Maggie teased.

Sanford was left without words, his thoughts swirling.

If he tempered his desires, would that truly satisfy them both?

Two days later, the landscape of their lives shifted unexpectedly.

The Moreno family announced that Millie would be going abroad for an extended period of study, with no certain return date. The engagement between her and Sanford was also quietly dissolved.

When Rosalynn heard the news, she was in the warm, familiar kitchen of her parents' home, baking cookies with Gail.

With the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the air, she reached for her phone to call Maggie.

Between bites, she listened intently as Maggie recounted the unfolding events.

"So you managed to get rid of your two rivals?" Rosalynn asked, her voice tinged with surprise and delight for Maggie.

It seemed as though two significant obstacles for Maggie had been overcome all at once, the events unfolding with startling rapidity.

“Thanks to Jaelyn, Sanford was able to call off the engagement without any fuss. She's turned out to be quite wonderful. I must be really fortunate," Maggie shared over the phone, her tone reflecting a mixture of relief and gratitude.

Rosalynn chuckled softly. "Perhaps she was charmed by your personality."

Maggie's laughter echoed through the call. "Oh, Rosalynn, do you honestly believe I'm that charismatic?"

Rosalynn took a playful bite of a cookie and responded teasingly, "Isn't that exactly what you were thinking? I can almost hear the smugness in your voice, even over the phone. Maggie, be even prouder!"