Se connecter“Why don’t you put these glasses on?” I stood in my hot-red lingerie, waiting for my boyfriend of four years to get off work on the night of our fourth anniversary, and the first thing he said to me after walking into our bedroom was that. “W-what?” I’ve known for a long time that things haven’t been the best in our sex life. Jason always seems like he’d rather be anywhere but with me whenever we’re in bed. But seeing the look of disinterest as he scans my body breaks my heart more than just a little. I can’t help but cover my body even more in shame. He’s holding up a pair of glasses, and it’s not just that — in his arms are clothes: a revealing tank top and an extremely short tennis skirt. “Jason, what is this?” “It’s just something to spice up the bedroom, Veronica. Don’t think too much about it, c’mon… come try it on.” “But this isn’t even my style. It seems like… something Moni, my best friend, would wear.” When I trail off, his face contorts and I know instantly I’ve mes
Maya’s POVI dropped Karen gently on the couch while staring around in confusion, my heart beating fast like it was trying to warn me about something. My brain was spinning, trying to make sense of everything happening. Maddox told me once there’s a cellphone hidden in the basement, right under the kitchen floor. Maybe if I could find it, I could call him, because right now, I was phoneless and panicking.I really hope he’s fine. None of this feels right at all. Could it be alcohol messing him up? Was he drunk and out of control? But Maddox has real self-control, he can’t just drink and cause all this chaos, especially not with a gun involved, he’s such a secretive person But Maddox doesn’t lose control like that. He’s too careful, too private, too… him to engage in such.“Oh my days,” I muttered under my breath, pacing around the room, scratching my scalp like that could calm me down. I walked quickly into the kitchen and tapped the small button that’s supposed to open the hidden bas
MAYA POV“I’m so grateful for you letting me crash here. I said to Lena, the sweet older lady who’d taken me in. “May you be blessed for your good deed.”“Oh, my love, it’s my pleasure,” she replied with a gentle smile.“I really appreciate it, but I should get going,” I said, glancing at Karen, who was cooing softly in my arms.Lena checked the clock, her face shifting to a frown. “Why so early? It’s only 9 a.m. Come on, have breakfast first. Make yourself comfy before you head out.”“Oh… you’re too nice,” I said, smiling shyly.“Yes, I am,” she laughed. “I used to be an air hostess before I retired, so hospitality is kind of my thing. I can’t let anyone under my roof go hungry.” she said with a proud little nod. “That’s really amazing,” I said, genuinely impressed.“I know, right?” she giggled. “So, what would you like to eat?”“Anything, actually ,” I shrugged, not picky at all.“Hmm… Spaghetti Bolognese?” she offered.My stomach twisted. That was the first dish Maddox ever made
Maya “Good evening, ma’am,” I said softly to the woman behind the counter.She looked up from her phone, eyes scanning me from head to toe — from my messy hair to my blood-stained hospital gown. Her lips curled. “Good day,” she replied, rolling her eyes.I looked down at myself and sighed quietly. “I’d like to get a room,” I said, trying to make my voice sound confident.She burst into laughter, loud and sharp. “A room?” she asked mockingly, clapping her hands together. “Sweetheart, we’re closed.”“Closed?” I blinked, confused. “Please… I really need a place to stay. Just for tonight. Please, for my baby’s sake.” I held Karen a little tighter, her soft coos tugging at my heart.She scoffed. “You think I should help you?” She leaned forward, smirking. “You’re a bitch. A whore. You stole your sister’s man and convinced that innocent dead grandmother to make him marry you.”Her words hit like a slap, venom dripping from every syllable.My heart sank. “W-what are you saying?” I stammere
Maya POVThe nurse came in quietly, holding my small tray of pills like she did every night. Her shift was almost over; I could tell from the tired look on her face.“How are you feeling today, Maya?” she asked softly.I forced a smile. “Worse,” I said honestly. My head felt heavy, and my chest still ached.She smiled faintly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry. You’ll feel better soon. These drugs will help you.”I watched her turn to the water dispenser, filling a cup halfway. Her hands moved slowly, like she was forcing herself to stay awake.While she waited for the cup to fill, I blurted out, “How’s my baby? How’s she doing in the ICU?”The question caught her off guard. She blinked, then smiled, more kindly this time. “She’s perfectly fine. Her condition wasn’t severe at all. No transplant, no donor needed. Just a little oxygen for support. Right now she’s in sound health.”Something warm filled my chest. Relief, maybe. My lips curved into a small smile.
Ryder“I’ll raise you as my son,” I murmured, staring at the boy in my arms.Everything’s falling into place for me… I guess evil really does pay, son.Unfortunately, you’re not actually mine. The DNA test showed between 1,300 and 2,300 centimorgans — about twenty-five percent related. Close enough to call family, but not enough to make you my son.Still, you’d carry my name, my legacy. I’d love you like you were mine. But Isla? She can never know. Not a whisper.I’d have said we made a child together, but I’ve grown infertile over time. I don’t even know how that happened. She mustn’t find out — she’d leave me the moment she did.So I’ll lie. I’ll tell her I’m not ready to have a child yet, that I’ve always wanted to raise someone else’s. An orphan, maybe. That sounds believable enough.The only problem is Helena — she’s old enough to sense the truth, to question me. But I don’t care. If it comes to that, I’ll send her away.We’re not even married anyway. Why should I care?So don’t
Maya POVI walked slowly, counting every step, trying to steady the knot in my stomach. Who the hell could be in the house?I couldn’t call Maddox—not that I wanted to risk interrupting him if he was in some important meeting. I told myself that over and over, but my own voice sounded shaky in my
Maya’s POVI woke up with a lazy stretch, arms over my head until my joints popped. A yawn slipped out, and I muttered into the quiet, “What a wonderful day to be beautiful.”I cupped my hand over my mouth and breathed into it. My face twisted instantly. Ugh. My morning breath was a weapon of ma
Maddox POV“Yes… I was there. My wife… she—” the voice faltered slightly, “—my first wife gave birth to Maddox. And shortly after… I discovered Maddox was not my biological son.”Maya instantly paused the recording.I froze. My hand tightened around hers.“He sounds like he’s being judged. Should t
Maddox pov“Bianca?” Kitten asked.“Yes. This is a damn pregnancy report.” I snatched the paper from her hands.The patient’s name was written in bold: Bianca Hayes.Date: March 27, 2014.“Ultrasound confirms… blah blah… pregnancy at approximately twelve weeks—three months,” I read aloud, my throat







