Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 41 - Chapitre 50

Sunlight spilled gently through the curtains when Maya opened her eyes.Maya woke to warmth.Mike’s warmth — his arm around her waist, his fingers lightly brushing the back of her hand even in his sleep. She lay there, listening to his breathing, steady and calm, like he wasn’t the same man the world called intimidating.She shifted a little and his hand instinctively tightened around her.“Don’t move,” he murmured, voice raspy with sleep.Maya smiled. “We have to get up.”“No,” he whispered, eyes still closed. “Five more minutes with you.”Her heart softened. “Just five?”He opened one eye lazily. “Fine… ten.”She laughed softly, and he finally pulled her fully against his chest, burying his face in her neck.“You smell like home,” he said quietly. Almost too quietly.She froze — in the softest, most vulnerable way — and he knew he’d said something raw, but he didn’t take it back.She didn’t want him to.He blinked awake, smiled sleepily, and pulled her closer.“Good morning, beautif

Maya woke with a fluttering heart. Sunlight spilled softly through her bedroom window, brushing over the champagne-colored engagement dress she had carefully laid out the night before. The realization hit her again — tomorrow, she would officially be engaged to Mike Walker.Her phone buzzed beside her. She picked it up, and Mike’s name glimmered on the screen.“Good morning, baby,” his deep, velvety voice said as soon as she answered.“Good morning…” she murmured, sitting up and running a hand through her hair. Her pulse quickened at the sound of him.“I hope you slept well,” he said warmly, the faint teasing edge in his voice making her smile. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”Maya let out a soft laugh, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I think so. Excited, but terrified.”“Terrified?” he teased lightly. “There’s no need. I promise, tomorrow will be perfect. And I’m sending my driver to pick you and Dianne in an hour. Don’t worry about anything. Just be yourself, and ev

e engagement came to an end the way all beautiful nights do—slowly, reluctantly, as though no one wanted to be the first to admit it was over.The Walker mansion, which had buzzed all evening with laughter, music, and flashing cameras, began to exhale. Guests lingered longer than necessary, offering final hugs, whispered congratulations, and promises to see each other again soon. The photographers packed their equipment, still excitedly reviewing shots on their screens. The last notes of music faded into soft background silence.Maya stood at the center of it all, glowing.Her ring caught the light every time she moved her hand, as if even it wanted attention. Mike stayed close, his palm resting at the small of her back, grounding her whenever the moment threatened to overwhelm her.Dianne watched them from a short distance away, her heart full.She had cried earlier—happy tears she didn’t even try to hide. Watching her sister this loved, this cherished, did something to her chest. It

A few days passed.Days where silence stretched longer than usual.Days where Mrs. Sinclair’s resolve hardened into something final.On a quiet morning, she called Karen.“Karen,” she said calmly. “It’s time we speak to Roy properly. We cannot keep delaying this.”“We’ll go to Roy’s together.”Karen’s lips curved into a soft, obedient smile.“Yes, Mommy Sinclair. I’ll be there shortly.”When the call ended, Karen stood in front of her mirror for a long time.She chose her clothes carefully—nothing dramatic, nothing seductive. A soft dress, loose enough to suggest fragility. Her face was bare, save for light makeup that made her eyes look larger, wetter. Vulnerable.She practiced her expression.Not triumph.Not anger.Just hurt.By the time she arrived at Mrs. Sinclair’s house, she looked exactly how she needed to.Mrs. Sinclair greeted her warmly.“My dear,” she said, holding Karen’s hands. “You’ve been through enough already.”Karen lowered her gaze.“I just want to do what is right

The car rolled to a slow stop in front of the house, its engine humming softly before going silent. For a moment, no one moved.Diane sat stiffly in the back seat, her hands resting on the crutches laid carefully beside her. The hospital bracelet was still on her wrist, stark white against her skin. She looked thinner somehow, paler, like the walls of the hospital had drained something out of her that hadn’t yet returned.Maya unbuckled her seatbelt and turned immediately.“Easy,” she said gently, already reaching for the door. “Don’t rush. I’ve got you.”The driver stepped out first and opened Diane’s door. Maya came around quickly, her movements instinctive now—one hand steadying Diane’s arm, the other holding the crutches as if they were fragile glass.Diane winced as her feet touched the ground.“Slow,” Maya murmured again. “Small steps. Remember what the doctor said.”Diane nodded, though her face tightened. Every movement reminded her of everything she was trying not to think ab