LOGINMaya’s POVI sat frozen in the café booth with Chloe beside me. My heart raced so fast I thought it might burst. Mr. Havisham stood there in his expensive suit. His three armed security men blocked the way. Everyone in the café stared at us. Phones pointed in our direction. Whispers started right away. Chloe grabbed my hand under the table. Her fingers felt cold and tight.“Maya, do not go with him,” Chloe whispered fast. “We can call for help. This is too much.”Mr. Havisham smiled that calm dangerous smile. He reached out and took my arm in a strong grip. “Come, my personal assistant,” he said loudly for everyone to hear. “We have urgent business. You know how I hate delays in the office.”I stood up on shaky legs. My body felt weak from fear. “Sir, please,” I replied softly. “Not here. People are watching.”He pulled me closer. His fingers dug into my arm. “That is the point,” he answered. “They should see who you belong to. Now move.”Chloe tried to stand too but one security man
Maya’s POVI walked into the small café with my heart beating fast in my chest. The place smelled like fresh coffee and sweet pastries. I spotted Chloe in the corner booth. She wore a simple blue sweater and her blonde hair was tied back neat. Her eyes looked red like she had been crying too. I took a deep breath and sat down across from her. My hands felt cold on the wooden table.“Chloe, thank you for coming,” I said softly. “I know you are angry and I understand why. The videos, everything, it looks so bad.”Chloe stared at me for a long moment. Her fingers twisted a napkin on the table. Tears already shone in her eyes. “Bad?” she replied. Her voice shook a little. “Maya, I saw you with my dad. Bent over his desk like some kind of toy. How could you do that to me? To our friendship? I trusted you more than anyone.”I felt tears burn my own eyes. I reached out but stopped before touching her hand. “It started because I needed the job so badly,” I explained. “My family business was d
Maya’s POVI walked into my apartment with my body still sore from the long night with Julian. Every step reminded me of his hands on my skin, his voice in my ear. Guilt sat heavy in my chest like a stone. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment. My phone buzzed once but I ignored it. I needed to clean up and think about what to do next. Liam was supposed to be free now but something felt wrong.Before I could reach the bathroom, the door opened with a loud push. Liam stepped inside. His face looked dark with anger. His messy dark hair fell over his eyes and his shoulders stayed tight. He closed the door hard and stared at me.“Maya, where were you last night?” he asked in a low voice. “I got released early this morning but you were not here. Tell me the truth.”I froze near the couch. My heart beat faster. I could not lie to him anymore. The words stuck in my throat at first. “Liam, I went to see Julian,” I said quietly. “He promised to get you out of prison. I
Maya’s POVI followed Julian into his luxurious penthouse high above the city. The lights were dim and soft music played in the background. I had already given him part of myself earlier, but tonight he wanted everything. The small recorder hidden in my bag felt heavy against my side. I needed intel on the Cross empire. This was my chance to get it, even if it meant enduring whatever he demanded.Julian closed the heavy door behind us and locked it. He turned to me with a dark smile. “You look nervous, Maya,” he said softly. “But you agreed to this full night. No running away. No thoughts of Liam. Tonight you belong to me completely.” I swallowed hard and met his eyes. “I know what I agreed to,” I replied. “For Liam’s freedom and for the children. Just keep your promises, Julian. That is all I ask.”He walked closer and pulled me into his arms. His hands roamed down my back and rested on my hips. “Good girl,” he whispered against my ear. “Now let me show you how rewarding surrender ca
Maya’s POVI arrived at the old hotel on the edge of the city with my heart pounding heavily in my chest. The place looked quiet and hidden, exactly what I needed for this secret meeting. My hands shook slightly as I adjusted the small recorder hidden inside my bag. I had checked it three times before leaving the motel. This was risky, but Liam needed me. The children needed me. I could not let fear stop me now. I took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door of room 312.Julian opened the door right away. He wore a white shirt with the top buttons undone. His handsome face lit up with a confident smile when he saw me. “Maya, you actually came,” he said in his smooth voice. “I was starting to wonder if you would change your mind after the prison visit.” He stepped aside and let me enter. The room had soft lighting and a large bed in the center. I walked in slowly and turned to face him.“I came because I have no choice,” I replied quietly. “Liam is locked up because of false evide
Maya’s POVI stood outside the cold detention center with my hands trembling inside my coat pockets, the morning air felt sharp against my skin after another sleepless night filled with worry about Liam and the children. I had spent hours thinking about what to say to him through the glass, my heart ached because the man who held me so tenderly now sat behind bars accused of helping kill my sister. I showed my ID to the guard and followed him through the metal doors into the visiting area.The room was gray and depressing with thick glass separating the prisoners from their visitors, I sat down on the hard plastic chair and waited, my fingers twisted together nervously until Liam finally appeared on the other side, he looked tired with messy dark hair and shadows under his sharp eyes but he still managed a small smile when he saw me, he picked up the phone on his side and I did the same.“Maya, you came,” he said, his voice sounded rough through the speaker, “I told them not to let yo
Maya’s POVLiam’s face looked dark and angry as we stood outside his apartment.“We cannot wait until tomorrow again,” Liam said. “This is getting too dangerous. Come inside my apartment. We need to think.”I followed him in with weak legs. My body still hurt from Mr Havisham’s punishment earlier.
Maya’s POVThe voice on the phone counted down in my head. Ten seconds. I stared at the video of me and Mr Havisham on his desk. My body bent over. His thrusts. Everything clear and loud. Liam stood right beside me with his hand reaching for the phone. My finger shook above the send button.“Do not
Maya’s POVLiam stood very close to me outside the apartment building. His sharp eyes looked straight into mine. “Then I am coming with you,” he said again. “You are not going to that warehouse alone tonight.”My heart beat so fast I felt dizzy. The money from Mr Havisham felt heavy in my bag. If I
Maya’s POVThe loud knocking on my door made me jump. Liam’s voice sounded shocked and hurt. “Maya! Open the door right now! What the hell is this video? Who are those men?”I sat on the floor shaking. Tears ran down my warm brown skin. I sent the video like the blackmailers wanted. Now Liam saw ev







