MasukMaya’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
Elenor’s POV“She delivered two babies?” I asked , my voice trembling with a mix of confusion .“Yes, I thought you knew,” the doctor said casually, his tone infuriatingly calm.“You thought I knew?” I snapped , my voice rising. “What sort of professionalist makes such a ridiculous assumption? Are you even thinking straight?” My words drip with rage.“This isn’t an environment for you to yell,” he muttered , his voice smooth and patronizing. “If you want to do that, find a rage room for it.”I scoffed, my eyes narrowing. “Really? Oh, really?”I shove my hands into my pocket, pulling out my identity card and flashing it in his face. “As you can see, I'm a military personnel, and I can sue you for the shady services you condone here.”He scoffed , and with a flick of his finger, he knocked my ID out of my hand. It clatters to the ground.“What the hell did you do that for?” I demanded, brushing my bangs from my face, my voice sharp with frustration.In the middle of the tension, the d







