MasukThree days after Victor's death, Maya and Damon left Cedar Falls.For once, neither of them looked back.The twins were safe with Celeste, who had insisted on keeping them for the week.“You both need this,” she had said.Maya had smiled.She knew Celeste was right.They needed time away from everyone.Away from Bennett Global.Away from the documents and investigations.Away from the past.Just them.Their destination was a secluded seaside villa several hours from the city. Damon had chosen it because it was private, quiet, and far enough from everything they knew.When they arrived, Maya stepped out of the car and stared at the ocean.The water stretched endlessly beneath the afternoon sun.She breathed deeply.“It’s beautiful.”Damon came up behind her.“So are you.”She turned and smiled.“You've become very smooth.”“I've had years of practice.”She laughed.The sound made something warm settle inside his chest.He had missed that laugh.They spent the afternoon doing nothing im
Victor stood alone in the dark office, staring at the documents spread across his desk.Helena knew.Sophia knew.Damon knew.And now the family knew about Vanessa.His plan had collapsed faster than he expected.He reached for the old archive folder.Charles Bennett's name was written across the cover.Victor opened it.Inside were records Charles had kept hidden for decades.Birth records.Old correspondence.Financial transfers.Names Charles had never wanted Damon to see.Victor picked up one document.Damon's biological father.The name was still there.Victor smiled faintly.“This is the last thing you have left.”He placed the document into a separate folder.Then he began removing the remaining records from the cabinet.He didn't intend to let Helena have them.If he couldn't control Damon through Bennett Global, he would control him through the secret Charles had protected for twenty years.Victor took out his phone.He called someone.“Get the car ready.”A voice answered.“
The room remained silent after Helena finished presenting the evidence.Maya sat beside Damon, staring at the documents spread across the table.Vanessa's name appeared again and again.Bennett Global records.Private information.Details about Maya's marriage.Information about Ethan.And messages between Vanessa and Victor.Maya felt numb.“She knew,” she whispered.Helena nodded.“She knew about the original agreement.”Sophia added, “She knew about the shares. She knew about your relationship with Damon. She knew which parts of your past would hurt you most.”Maya looked at the screen.One message from Vanessa stood out.“She trusts me completely.”Maya's eyes filled.“She did.”Damon reached for her hand.This time, Maya didn't pull away.Helena continued.“Vanessa's involvement started before Rachel's.”Maya looked at her.“How long?”“Months before the first anonymous message.”Maya closed her eyes.“So while she was sitting beside me…”“She was communicating with Victor,” Soph
Rachel was gone.For the first time in months, the Bennett family had no idea where she was.But Helena knew the investigation was far from over.She sat with Sophia in the study, reviewing the remaining records.“We need to go through everything Vanessa accessed,” Helena said.Sophia nodded.“Rachel gave Victor financial information. Vanessa gave him something different.”“What?”“Information about Maya herself.”Helena looked at the screen.“Her history with Ethan?”“Yes.”“Her relationship with Damon?”“Yes.”“Her private fears?”Sophia nodded.“She knew Maya well enough to know exactly what would hurt her.”Helena opened another file.Vanessa's name appeared repeatedly.“She had access to Bennett Global too.”“Through her position on the board.”Helena frowned.“And she used that access to gather information.”“Yes.”“Start from the beginning.”Sophia opened the oldest record.Vanessa had accessed company information shortly before Maya's first major board meeting.Then came recor
Rachel packed in silence.Her suitcase lay open on the bed.She folded her clothes carefully, one piece at a time.There was no anger left.Only shame.She had spent years believing Cedar Falls was where her life belonged.Now she couldn't imagine staying.Her phone remained silent.She hadn't expected anyone to call.She hadn't expected forgiveness.She had already accepted what she had done.Downstairs, Ethan stood near the window.Rachel stopped when she saw him.“Ethan.”He looked at her.For a moment, neither spoke.“I wanted to say goodbye.”Ethan's expression remained cold.“You don't need to.”Rachel swallowed.“I understand.”“You betrayed Maya.”“I know.”“You helped Victor attack her marriage.”“I know.”“And you lied to all of us.”Rachel lowered her head.“Yes.”Ethan looked away.“I can't forgive you.”“I don't expect you to.”He walked toward the door.Rachel watched him.“Ethan.”He stopped.“I am sorry.”He didn't turn around.“I know.”Then he walked away.Rachel sto
Rachel sat motionless after admitting she had helped Victor. No one spoke. Maya stared at her from across the room. The woman sitting before her looked nothing like the friend she had known for years. Rachel wiped her tears. “I don't know where to begin.” “Begin with the truth,” Helena said. Rachel nodded. “My feelings for Damon never completely disappeared.” Damon's expression hardened, but he remained silent. Rachel looked at Celeste. “You warned me.” Celeste nodded. “I did.” “You told me to stay away from him. You told me to respect Maya's marriage.” “I did.” Rachel lowered her eyes. “And for a while, I did.” Maya's voice was quiet. “What changed?” Rachel looked at her. “You became pregnant.” Maya's expression shifted. “I remember that time,” Rachel continued. “I saw how happy Damon was. I saw how much he loved you. Then you had the twins, and he became completely devoted to your family.” She swallowed. “I convinced myself I had finally buried those feelings







