جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 110

(Amara)I close the zip of my small bag, pulling it along with me.The day is finally here, and of course I need to be ready for it. It’s going to be two whole days away from home, so I have to make sure I have everything I’ll need.I step into the living room where Maya is seated, her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on me.“I…” My words trail off for a moment. “I’ll be leaving now,” I say, pausing before adding softly, “won’t you like to see me off?”“I don’t remember joining in your decision, so why would I want to see you off?” she replies with a shrug.“Maya…” I call, dropping my bag as I move toward her.But she stands immediately.“I need to get ready for work,” she says, taking a few steps away from me. “Be sure to enjoy your stay and come back safe.”Then she walks off into the room.I stand there, watching her back as she leaves, a deep sigh slipping out of me.It’s been like this all week.Ever since Maya found out about Felix and me.For some reason, she just refuses to unders

(Amara)I sigh softly, watching as he leaves.I can’t afford to let my guard down. Nothing should ever go wrong between us. Whatever we had before is long gone. Buried beneath everything that happened.Now we’re just… here.Pretending.Sharing the same space does not mean anything has changed.I need to keep my distance. I need to make sure nothing crosses that line again.“I can’t even begin to imagine things right now,” I mutter under my breath.I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear as I walk toward the bathroom.“It’s only two days, Amara. Just two nights,” I whisper to myself. “And it will be over.”I step inside.Then pause.The heater isn’t working.I blink.“Wow… what a way to start the evening.”I step back out, reaching for the room phone. I dial room service.Nothing.No connection.“What the—” I hiss softly, dropping the receiver back into place.I pull out my phone.Maybe I should just call Felix. He’s outside already. He could help me get someone.I tap his name.No netwo

(Amara)Argh!I sigh, pressing the back of my neck as I settle into the chair in the room. It’s been one hell of a day. Going through every single task there is. And even though I slowed down at some point, just so we wouldn’t score too high, we still end up among the top.Because of yesterday’s rating.I lean back, staring at nothing, imagining what it would feel like if we actually win this whole thing.“Water.”Felix’s voice cuts through my thoughts.I lift my head. He’s standing in front of me, holding out a glass.I don’t take it immediately. I just look at him.“You look tired,” he says. “So I figured you should at least drink something.”There’s something different about him. Something… unfamiliar.Not because he’s never been like this before… but because he hasn’t been this way in a long time.I’ve gotten used to his anger. His sharp words. The way he made me feel like I had to pay for existing. But this version of him—quiet, attentive, careful—throws me off balance.“If you d

(Rayner)“I had no other choice. She was getting in my way with Nathan.”My hand grips the steering wheel tighter as her words replay in my head, over and over again.Then another follows.“Besides, what’s so wrong in trying to help them get back together?”My blood boils.A sharp groan leaves me as I slam my hand hard against the wheel, the sound echoing in the confined space. Anger surges through me, hot and uncontrollable.“Pray, Isha,” I mutter, my jaw locking tight. “Pray nothing happens to Amara before I get there. Because I won’t forgive you for that.”The words come out low. Dangerous.The day slowly fades into night, the sky dimming as her last words return again, hitting harder this time.“There’s no need trying to save her. Because by the time you get there, I’m sure she would have already spent the night with him.”“No.”My voice is firm.My mind races, thoughts crashing into each other as my foot presses harder on the accelerator.“Wait for me, Amara,” I say, my voice rou

(Rayner)I stare at her like I didn’t hear right.Like my mind is trying to protect me from the truth sitting right in front of me.She wants him freed.After everything he tried to do to her.Something inside me snaps.I don’t even understand why she’s doing this anymore, and maybe that’s what makes it worse. The not knowing. The way she stands there, asking this of me like it’s nothing.I can’t hold it in.Not anymore.And that’s when I say it.The truth about her divorce.I hate myself for it immediately.I was supposed to wait. Give her time. Let her tell me herself.But now it feels like she never would have.Her eyes lift to mine, wide with shock.“You knew?”I inhale slowly, steadying myself, then nod.“Yes.”I see the exact moment it hits her.Her hand runs through her hair, her fingers trembling slightly. For a second, neither of us speaks. The silence stretches, heavy and suffocating.Then she looks back at me.“Since when?”“Recently.” My voice is quieter now, controlled. “