The third point of view.

Maggie cried like a kid. She didn't know why but the moment Cecil smiled at her, she felt the weight and frustration of what she had been through overwhelm her and the next thing, she was bawling her eyes out. It was all too much.

Many had appraised her as a hero but Maggie was the only one who knew the demons she fought when alone and at sleep.

But this woman, Cecil, was the only one who came close to knowing. Cecil had been more than a friend and counselor, she had been a sister.

Although free, Maggie had not been truly happy. She failed Cecil, the woman had done everything she could to see that she - Maggie - could get a presidential pardon, but she failed it by escaping. Now, she would forever remain a criminal.

She failed Cecil. But who knew she would meet her here.

"I'm so sorry I failed you," Maggie apologized profusely, "I was supposed to go through trial and make you proud but instead I escaped -"

"Shhh, it's okay," Cecil told her, wiping her tears away, "You don't have to be guilty, I understand. Moreover, you wouldn't have made it to the trial anyway. Lucinda would have seen to it that you're dead no matter what," she smiled at her assuredly, "I'll rather you remain alive than you been cleared yet dead,"

Maggie sniffed, fighting to control the tears, "I don't know how to thank you,"

"You don't need to thank me, you were my responsibility. But if you feel like doing so, you can start by thanking my soon-to-be husband...." Cecil turned her to Emerald, "He's the one who saw to it that you're alive," there was proudness in her tone.

The instant Maggie's eyes connected with Emerald's, she shuddered and took a step back. The man was huge and emitted a bloodlust so suffocating she wondered if Cecil was in her right mind. Why was she marrying this demon?

"Oh please, stop scaring the poor woman," Cecil rolled her eyes at the grim-looking Emerald. His arms were folded across his chest, his biceps bulging out of his shirt and he looked intimidating with his straight posture.

"This is my best look," Emerald grumbled. He didn't like this woman, she was dangerously connected to Cecil emotionally. Anyone that posed a threat to his wife was not his friend.

"Not if you add a little smile?" She insisted.

And just like that, Emerald faked a smile as he stretched his hand for a handshake, "Hi, I'm Emerald," He said.

Maggie was still stunned by the scenario that played out - the giant listened to Cecil's command? - that she responded late. It wasn't until Cecil nudged her that she remembered what she was to do

"Oh right," She accepted his hand nervously, "I'm Maggie,".

His big hands completely covered hers and it was firm. Although there was something else in the man's gaze, a warning or something. Maggie couldn't exactly tell. But she knew better than to mess up.

"And over there," Cecil turned to Sakuzi who ignored their introduction all this while, busy playing games on his phone.

At first, Sakuzi dismissed games as petty excuses to squander time. However, Allen, his grandson, had been compelling and asked him to try it out. Before he knew it, Valentino played one round and the next and the next and now, he's addicted. Playing games is fun.

"Sakuzi...." Cecil whispered to the distracted man.

"Oh, right," Sakuzi recovered and sat upright. Damn it, he was so close to shooting those damn villains down. Well, not really villains - his game character was a thug - but who cares? His aim was to achieve his missions. Now, he would have to begin afresh. Damn it.

"A-hem," Sakuzi cleared his throat, putting on his charming smile.

"Now, that is Valentino Armani but you should call him Sakuzi if you don't want a bullet in your head," Cecil said.

Maggie paled.

"I'm kidding," Cecil laughed, "Sakuzi is the best mobster you would ever go get to know,"

Mobster? It dawned on Maggie. The guns? Cannabis? Violence? That explains it all. She was dealing with the mafia. The mafia rescued her.

"I'm sure you know why you're here," Sakuzi said, his gaze boring into her own.

To keep my mouth shut, Maggie understood what was going on. Sakuzi was her Patreon. But she couldn't understand one thing. Does Cecil know Sakuzi supported her killing Fernandez? Maggie bet not.

With the little time she spent with Cecil while in prison, the woman had explained her connection to Fernandez, hence Maggie was able to put the whole picture together. Cecil was in the dark and they - including her husband - wanted it to remain that way.

Meanwhile, Cecil was confused by Sakuzi's question so she asked, "Is there any other reason Maggie is here?"

"Of course, to thank me. All this wouldn't have been possible if not for my resources, remember?" Sakuzi lied to her, only the two others in the room knew the hidden meaning behind his words.

"Thank you sir for saving my life," Maggie thanked him as necessary without Cecil reminding her. She owed her life to him.

"I owe my life to you, tell me how I can pay back the favor?" Maggie knew nothing was free in this world.

"You don't need to repay anything, I did this all for Cecil."

Maggie's gaze softened at Cecil, what a selfless woman. She was so thankful.

Cecil smiled in understanding.

Emerald protectively stood in front of Cecil. Why was that woman staring at his wife that way? He didn't like this strange conversation - he felt left out in whatever secrets they were sharing with their eyes.

"Although, there are certain conditions you would have to meet since you're a dead woman now,"

Maggie was startled by Sakuzi's comment, "What do you mean by that?"

"Maggie is dead," Sakuzi revealed, "To the world, you died in that attack yesterday, burnt beyond recognition,"

At that, Maggie's knees felt weak and she collapsed to the ground in gratitude. She understood what they did. They faked her death. They were giving her a new life.

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