Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 81 - Chapitre 87

MAYA'S POVThe rumor about the engagement seemed to follow me everywhere I went over the next few days. It felt like every single customer who walked into the boutique was talking about the famous hockey captain dominating games over in Europe.More than once, while folding sweaters or organizing clothing racks, I overheard people gushing about how stunning Killian and Victoria looked together at the gala. They talked about them like they were characters in a fairy tale. Each careless word felt like salt rubbed directly into an open wound. Yet, I had to stand there behind the counter, forcing a polite, plastic smile onto my face so no one would ask questions.During my lunch break, I sat alone in the quiet backroom, my thumb mindlessly scrolling through article after article on my phone.Riley walked in carrying two bottles of water. The moment she saw my glowing screen, a look of deep sadness crossed her face. She gently reached down, took the phone right out of my hands, and set it

MAYA'S POVA heavy, expectant silence filled the living room as everyone waited for Killian's answer.On the television screen, Killian glanced briefly at Victoria beside him before looking back at the interviewer with a smooth, small smile. He avoided giving a direct answer, his tone calm and composed."Some moments are worth waiting for," Killian said into the microphone. "And I promise people won't have to wait much longer."The crowd at the banquet erupted into loud cheers and applause. To the rest of the world, it was an immediate confirmation that an engagement announcement was coming.To me, it was like he was stabbing me in the chest with a knife. He had never been clear about his relationship with Victoria. She was only his childhood friend. Was he really replacing me with her? He had told me there was nothing to worry about. He said Victoria was just a friend. On the couch, my mother and William were all smiles. William laughed, shaking his head with a broad, proud smile.

MAYA'S POVThe living room felt suffocatingly small, the air thick with an unbearable tension as the charity banquet reached its final, agonizing moment.William and my mother sat on the edge of the sectional couch, leaning forward with bright, eager smiles as Killian stood beside Victoria on the distant European stage."Look at him, Elena," William said, his voice brimming with deep, unbridled pride. "The boy has completely taken over the league this season. I always knew he'd build something incredible for himself out there."My mother smiled softly, a glistening coat of tears in her eyes as she squeezed William's hand affectionately. "He's grown into such a remarkable, fine man, William. I was just telling Maya earlier, "I honestly can't wait to finally meet Victoria properly when they come home for the off-season.""Oh, we're definitely hosting them the second they land," William chimed in with a boisterous, happy laugh. "We'll do a proper family dinner, invite the press off the l

MAYA'S POVSleep never came easily after returning from the hospital. Every single time I managed to drift off, the exact same painful image burned behind my eyelids with terrifying clarity, Killian lowering himself onto one knee, slipping that sparkling diamond engagement ring onto Victoria's finger while my mother and William celebrated downstairs in the living room.By the time the morning sun peeked softly through the window blinds, I knew I couldn't keep carrying this truth by myself anymore. The secret had become a crushing, unbearable weight on my chest, and every passing day made it harder to draw a clean breath.After breakfast, my mother and William strongly insisted that I stay home from work and rest, reminding me for the hundredth time that the doctor had warned against any added emotional stress. I offered them a quiet promise that I would take it easy, waiting until the faint sound of their car engine faded down the driveway before I finally reached for my phone on th