The evening passed more smoothly than any of them had expected. After the warm dinner, cheerful conversations, and a few shared laughs, the four of them stayed a little longer at the restaurant, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. It wasn’t the private night Elias had originally planned for Maya, but seeing her happy, surrounded by people who cared about her, made it worth it.When it was finally time to leave, they all walked out together under the soft glow of the streetlights. The parking lot was quiet, the air cool and gentle.“I’ll drive you home,” Elias said softly, turning to Maya.Maya smiled at him. “Thank you.”But just as she was about to follow Elias to his car, Colton stepped forward and reached into his jacket pocket. “Wait,” he said, stopping her. “Before you go… I have something for you.”Maya turned, a little surprised. “You already gave me the gift from your parents,” she said gently.“This one’s from me,” Colton replied, holding out a small, elegant gift box.Maya hesi
As they stepped outside, Maya noticed Colton and Anika standing near Colton’s car, talking softly. She gently touched Elias’s arm and motioned for him to walk with her a few steps away, toward the side of the driveway. The porch light cast a soft glow over them as she turned to face him, her voice quiet and sincere.Maya stepped closer to Elias, her voice soft. “I’m sorry about tonight,” she said. “I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.”Elias looked at her, his expression calm, though a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes. “It’s okay,” he said gently.She sighed. “Anika really wanted to celebrate with me… and Colton insisted on staying. I didn’t want to say no in front of her.”“I understand,” Elias said with a small smile. “It’s your birthday. I just… I had something different in mind.”Maya gave him a grateful look. “Thank you for being kind about it.”Inside, Elias was a little hurt. He had spent days planning this dinner, wanting it to be special—just for the two o
Maya stood by the window, watching the last traces of daylight fade into the evening sky. The quiet hum of the city outside felt distant tonight, like the world had paused for a moment just for her. Her home, usually simple and quiet, felt a little warmer, a little brighter—as if it, too, knew today was special.The soft scent of jasmine lingered in the air, drifting from the flowers Elias had sent earlier. A single card had come with them: “Looking forward to tonight.” She had read it more than once, each time feeling a little flutter in her chest.She glanced down at herself, running her hand over the smooth lines of her dress. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was elegant—something she had chosen with care. Her heels rested by the front door, waiting. Her hair was pinned back simply, a touch of lipstick the only bold color on her face.She had told herself she would enjoy tonight. No work, no worries, just a night to celebrate something she rarely allowed herself to feel—seen.Just as
Elias sat in his office, quiet and still, his phone resting on the desk beside him. The photo Daniel had sent glowed faintly on the screen—Maya sitting across from Colton at a restaurant, a soft smile on her lips, the lighting dim and warm.Daniel’s message had been simple:“Looks like she’s moved on already. With your rival, no less.”Elias stared at the image for a moment, then turned the screen face down. He didn’t feel anger—at least not toward Maya. Instead, something deeper settled inside him, like a quiet ache he had no name for.He didn’t doubt her.He knew her. Maya wasn’t someone who played games or chased power. She was thoughtful, private, and guarded with her trust. Whatever reason she had for meeting Colton, Elias was certain it wasn’t what Daniel tried to imply.But the photo had stirred something else in him—something he could no longer ignore.His feelings.He’d spent so long pretending they didn’t exist. Telling himself it was better to stay quiet, to focus on protec
It had been a few days since Anika’s birthday party, but the buzz surrounding it had yet to settle. While the Denovan residence slowly returned to its usual calm rhythm, Colton remained unusually active for someone who had only planned to stay briefly. His official reason for extending his visit was family, but deep down, he carried another purpose—one he had told no one. He was searching.Years ago, when he was still a boy, the Denovan family had suffered a quiet tragedy: the loss of their youngest child. She was too young to remember, too young to understand. A series of painful events, hushed-up details, and half-truths had buried the memory deep in the family’s history, but Colton had never truly forgotten. And now, something in his gut told him that the truth might be closer than anyone realized.That gut feeling only grew stronger after meeting Maya.He’d kept his distance after their frosty encounter in the garden, but her presence lingered in his mind. At first, he’d convinced
The morning was quiet and overcast, with soft gray clouds blanketing the sky. A gentle stillness lingered in the air, casting a muted light across the city as it slowly stirred awake.Maya stood by her window for a moment, sipping a warm cup of tea as she watched the quiet hum of the street below. The calm after Anika’s birthday celebration was both a relief and a strange emptiness. Yesterday had been filled with laughter, balloons, and the sight of Anika’s glowing face—but today, it was back to reality.She turned away from the window and placed her cup in the sink. The silence of her apartment pressed in gently, familiar now. Though her heart ached to stay close to Anika, she reminded herself that life had to continue—her work, her growth, her independence.By the time she stepped into her bedroom, the wardrobe doors were already wide open. Maya pulled out a clean, slate-blue blouse and paired it with high-waisted black trousers. Her style was always simple and elegant—nothing flas