All Chapters of To be Inlove with Maya: Chapter 21 - Chapter 28

MayaThe soft, festive harmony of a Christmas carol drifting from the radio in the living room was the only sound echoing through the penthouse. I had been sitting completely motionless at the edge of our massive king-sized bed for almost three full hours. My eyes remained glued to the bedroom doorway. Praying for the faint sound of footsteps coming from the foyer. I was desperately holding onto a foolish hope that Devon would finally come to his senses, realize how deeply his brutal words had gutted me, and come walking back through that front door.But he didn't.Not a single heavy step echoed in the hallway. Not a single phone call illuminated the dark screen on the nightstand. Not even a brief, cold text message to ask if I was still breathing. Nothing.It was utterly terrifying how five whole months of building a life together—five months of shared mornings, quiet jokes, intimate dinners, and breathless nights—could completely dissolve into dust in a matter of seconds. Al

MayaAugust 2026Makati, PhilippinesThe cool water of the infinity pool lapped gently around my ankles, but it did nothing to soothe the relentless anxiety twisting tighter and tighter inside my chest.I sat on the edge of the pool deck, my gaze fixed on the thick, cream-colored invitation resting heavily in my hands. The elegant gold-embossed lettering shimmered beneath the warm glow of the patio lights. I’d been staring at it for several minutes now, yet I still couldn’t bring myself to break the wax seal.It was an invitation from Kayden and Carla.They were inviting me to celebrate the renewal of their wedding vows—a heartfelt ceremony commemorating their tenth wedding anniversary on the pristine shores of Boracay this coming Monday.Carla had already mentioned it to me a month ago. Out of everyone in Devon’s family and circle of friends, she was the one I had never expected to grow so close to.Our friendship had begun over something surprisingly simple. During our first real

Devon“Dev, just promise me one fucking thing: do not make a scene. I swear to God, Carla will have my head on a platter if you ruin this,” Kayden warned, reminding me for what felt like the tenth damn time over the phone.“Kayden, relax. You know me,” I replied with a low, easy smirk, leaning back in my leather chair while staring intensely at Maya’s Instagram profile on my laptop screen. “I’ve never been one to pick fights or get caught up in useless drama. Besides, why the hell would I embarrass my own best friend on his big day?”Of all her social media accounts, Instagram was the only platform where she hadn't blocked me. She probably assumed I’d abandoned the app ages ago, considering how rarely I ever posted anything.And for that oversight, I had never been more grateful.At least this way, I still had a small, fragile window into her world.Yes, I had been obsessively stalking her profile ever since the day she packed her bags and left me.It had been five goddamn long years

Devon“Maya?”Disbelief rooted me to the spot.My heart pounded so violently against my ribs that it almost drowned out the crashing waves as I took a hesitant step toward her.“Devon…?”My breath caught.She’d said my name.It was really her.Maya.For five years, I’d replayed this moment a thousand different ways in my head. I had imagined her smile, imagined hearing her voice again, imagined what I would say if fate ever gave me another chance.But the woman standing before me wasn’t the Maya I’d left behind.The softness that had once lived in her eyes was gone, replaced by a guarded distance that struck harder than any physical blow ever could.Instinctively, I reached toward her.She immediately took a step back.The message couldn’t have been clearer.Don’t come any closer.What did you expect, Devon? I bitterly mocked myself. After everything you put her through, did you honestly think she’d run into your arms?I forced myself to stop.Think.Don’t ruin this before it even be