All Chapters of His Holiday Prohibition : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

THE MOTHER VISIT~MAYA'S POV~The buzzer rang at eight PM on a Tuesday, and I knew immediately that something was wrong because the only person who ever came to this apartment had a key and didn't believe in asking permission.I checked the security monitor and my stomach dropped.Elena. My mother. Standing in the lobby wearing a fake fur coat and waving at the camera like she was on a game show."No," I whispered to the empty apartment. "No, no, no."I buzzed her up because the option was her making a scene, and Silas's security team didn't do well with scenes.The elevator doors opened and she burst into the apartment like a tornado made of cheap perfume and bad decisions."Maya! Look at this place!" She didn't hug me, just turned in a circle with her arms out, taking in the floor-to-ceiling windows and marble countertops."This is what corporate housing looks like these days? Jesus, I should've finished college.""What are you doing here, Mom? You said you were in Atlantic City for

NEGATIVE ~MAYA'S POV~Walking to Silas's office felt really scary, like I was going to my death.The pregnancy test was still in my bag. It had said PREGNANT, till the screen went blank. I had shoved it deep into the bottom, but my hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold the strap.'My office. Now. And Maya? Bring your purse.' He knew. Somehow he always knew.I knocked on his door."Come in."He was standing by the window, hands in his pockets, not looking at me. "Close the door," he said quietly. "Lock it."I did."Set your purse on the desk."My heart stopped. "Silas.....""Set it on the desk, Maya."I put it down with trembling hands and watched as he walked over, unzipped it, and reached inside.His hand closed around something. When he pulled it out, he was holding the digital pregnancy test."What is this?" he asked, his voice deadly calm."It's broken, the battery died....."He pressed the button. The screen blinked to life for just a second, and the word PREGNANT fla

CHOLE MOVES IN 2~MAYA POV ~By lunch, I was falling apart.Chloe had texted wanting to meet for salad in the lobby, but Silas had ordered me to his office, so I lied and said I had a vendor meeting in Midtown.I waited until I saw her leave the building on the security feed, then locked myself in his office."This has to stop," I said, dropping my bag on the sofa. "She's starting to ask questions. She knows something's off.""Then move back into my suite," he said, walking toward me. "Get rid of the roommate.""She's your daughter! She dropped out of school, she's lost, she thinks I'm the only person who doesn't want something from her!""And you're lying to her face every hour," he countered. "Does the guilt outweigh the benefit, Maya?""I'm falling apart.""Only one life is a lie," he said, pulling me close. "The one where you pretend you don't belong here."He kissed me, hard and claiming, and for a second I forgot about everything else."I left something," he said against my lips

THE EMAIL~MAYA'S POV~"You're staring at the toaster again."Chloe's voice pulled me back to the kitchen. She was sitting at the island with her phone, hair in a messy bun, looking normal. Like she hadn't moved into the middle of a bomb waiting to go off."Just tired," I said, reaching for my coffee."Dad left at six this morning," Chloe said, not looking up. "Didn't even finish his espresso. That usually means he's about to fire someone or buy a country.""He has a lot on his plate."My phone buzzed on the counter. The notification light blinked.One new email. Subject: 'Regarding your position.'I picked it up, expecting HR updates or schedule changes. The screen stayed white for too long, then text appeared."I know you're sleeping with the boss. I know everything, Maya. Enjoy the view from the top while it lasts."The air left my lungs."Maya? You okay?" Chloe was standing now, leaning over the counter. "You look like you saw a ghost.""I'm fine," I said too fast, pulling the ph

THE TOAST ~CHLOE'S POV~The lights in L'Eclat were too bright. Everything was gold, like the silverware, dishes, and even the walls. It felt like a place where you were putting on a show rather than just eating a meal.Perfect."I'm just so happy!"My voice got a bit high, and the woman at the next table looked over. "Look at us. The Three Musketeers. Back together, but upgraded."I took a huge gulp of champagne. It was cold enough to make my teeth ache.My dad was sitting opposite me, looking really happy and relaxed, like he owned everything. Maya, next to him, looked like she was dreading something bad.She had on the wool pants and turtleneck that he bought her. They were plain, neat, and covered her up.I wanted to rip it off her."You're vibrating, Chloe," Dad said. "Take a breath.""I don't need to breathe, Dad! I'm high on life!" I laughed too quick. "Don't you feel it? The energy? Everything's finally out in the open. No more secrets."Maya flinched. Her hand twitched agains