Love in Beta
Maya Jenkins has built a life on her own terms. After being abandoned by her father at a young age and betrayed by a man she once loved, Maya has little faith in the concept of true love. But one lonely Saturday night, against her usual instincts, she downloads SoulLink—a new dating app designed to match people based on more than just physical attraction. When she matches with a man named “Ash,” she starts to wonder if she’s been too quick to write off the possibility of something real.
Asher Reed is no stranger to living behind a mask. By day, he is the powerful CEO of NovaSpire, the cutting-edge tech company he inherited from his demanding father. By night, he sheds his corporate persona and anonymously tests SoulLink, a product his company has developed. What he doesn’t expect is Maya—a woman who challenges him with her passionate and authentic personality. For the first time in years, he feels seen—not as the CEO or the broken man his ex-fiancée left behind, but as himself.
As their connection deepens, so does their vulnerability. Maya’s long-standing trust issues clash with Asher’s secret identity, and their growing bond is threatened by the arrival of past figures— Asher’s manipulative former fiancée. With each revelation, the digital space where they first met becomes a battleground for truth, betrayal, and the complicated pull of their emotions.
In a world where identities can be easily manipulated and love is often elusive, Maya and Asher must confront their pasts, their fears, and the choices that will either bind them together or tear them apart. Can they overcome the ghosts of their history and the secrets they’ve kept from each other? Or will their insecurities and unresolved scars lead them down separate paths?
Basahin
Chapter: Chapter 32Maya felt a flutter in her chest as she stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She was nervous—no, more like terrified. She had been dating Ash for a couple of months now, but today was different. Today, he was going to meet someone important: her mother, Rachel.“Are you sure about this, Maya?” she muttered under her breath, adjusting her hair for what felt like the hundredth time. Her phone buzzed on the counter, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Ash. “On my way. Should I bring flowers? Or maybe wine? :)”Maya laughed softly, feeling the nerves settle slightly. Asher always had a way of lightening the mood, even with the simplest gestures. She quickly typed back.“No need for wine yet, just bring yourself. My mom’s a sucker for genuine smiles, so you should be okay.”It was true. Her mom, Rachel, had always been warm and welcoming, but she could be a little protective when it came to Maya’s relationships. After everything Maya had gone through with her father and the
Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05
Chapter: Chapter 31Maya sat in the cozy corner of her apartment, the soft hum of city life outside blending with the low volume of the music playing in the background. Her thoughts were swirling, but they were different now. She wasn’t running away from them anymore. Hindi na siya takot. And for the first time in what felt like forever, she was allowing herself to feel everything that she was beginning to feel for Ash. It had been a month since their spontaneous day trip, and things between them had only gotten deeper. They had shared more moments, laughed at silly things, and spent late-night conversations talking about everything and nothing at all. Maya could feel the connection between them growing stronger with each passing day. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but it was undeniable now. Ash wasn’t just the guy from SoulLink anymore. He was becoming a part of her life, someone who made her heart feel safe, heard, and seen.Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Ash.“I’ll be there
Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05
Chapter: Chapter 30Maya sat at her favorite café, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the slight crispness in the air. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions, but in the best way possible. Every time she saw Ash, she felt both grounded and elevated at the same time. They were taking things slow, yes, but there was no denying that something deeper was beginning to grow between them. As she stirred her coffee absentmindedly, her phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Ash. “Good morning, Maya. I’ve been thinking about last night... dinner was great. I enjoy every moment I spend with you. You make everything feel light. I’m really happy that we’re doing this.”She smiled, her fingers hovering over the screen as she typed her response.“I’m happy too, Ash. I didn’t think I could feel this comfortable with someone again, but here we are. Let’s keep this going, one day at a time.”As she sent the message, a warm feeling spread in her chest. It was crazy to think how far
Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05
Chapter: Chapter 29Maya sat at her desk, the soft hum of the office around her barely registering. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the afternoon she had spent with Ash. Their conversation, the honesty in his eyes—it was everything she had wanted to hear, but still, a part of her hesitated. Hindi siya sigurado kung kaya niyang bitawan ang mga takot na matagal nang nakatanim sa puso niya. But something had shifted inside her. Maybe it was the way he had looked at her when he said he was willing to try. Hindi niya pa kayang magtiwala nang buo, but maybe she could allow herself to take it one day at a time. She tapped the edge of her coffee cup, lost in thought, when a notification from her phone broke her reverie. It was from Ash. “Good morning, Maya. I’ve been thinking about our conversation. I know we’re taking it slow, and I respect that. But I just wanted to say, I’m happy that we’re doing this. Let’s keep taking things one step at a time. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”Her heart fluttered
Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05
Chapter: Chapter 28The days after their conversation at the café felt like a blur. A part of Maya was still processing everything that had happened, but she couldn’t deny the small flicker of hope that had sparked inside her. She had agreed to give Ash a chance—to let him prove that his feelings for her were genuine. Pero, as much as she wanted to believe him, she couldn’t just forget everything so easily. Hindi siya ganoon. Hindi siya ganoon ka-bilis magtiwala ulit.It wasn’t just about him being a CEO. It was about the lies, the secrets, and the fact that, at one point, he had hidden his true self from her. And now, she was supposed to pick up the pieces and pretend like nothing had happened? Hindi. Hindi pa siya handa para doon. Not yet.She had been avoiding him for a few days after their talk, not because she was mad, but because she needed space. Hindi niya kayang magdesisyon agad-agad. Every time she thought of him, she felt the weight of his promises, but also the weight of the past. The trauma
Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05
Chapter: Chapter 27Maya sat down, her heart pounding in her chest as she stared at Ash. He had that look in his eyes—conflicted, vulnerable—but also resigned. There was no way around this now. She had to know the truth, even if it broke her heart in the process. The café was quiet, the hum of the city outside the only sound between them. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Maya waited, her fingers tightening around the cup in front of her, feeling the coldness seeping through the ceramic.Ash exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair before meeting her gaze. “Maya, I know I’ve hurt you. And I know I’ve lied to you. But I never meant for any of this to happen.” He paused, like the weight of his own words was almost too much to bear. “I’m not just the guy you’ve been talking to on SoulLink. I—”“I know,” Maya interrupted, her voice surprisingly calm. Her eyes didn’t waver from his face. “I found out. That you’re Asher Reed. CEO of NovaSpire.”The silence that followed felt heavy, as if the air its
Huling Na-update: 2025-01-05
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