CHAPTER 20

The estate was eerily silent as Maya wandered through the dimly lit corridors, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The recent revelations had shattered the fragile sense of security she had begun to build. Helena's cold demeanor, Luca's subtle manipulations, and Isabella's sudden reappearance—all had conspired to make her feel like an outsider in a world she barely understood.

Her hand instinctively rested on her growing belly, the life within her a constant reminder of the stakes at play. She had come to care deeply for Zane, but the web of deceit surrounding them threatened to unravel everything.

As she turned a corner, she nearly collided with Alex, Zane's most trusted man. His expression softened upon seeing her.

"Miss Maya," he greeted, his voice laced with concern. "Is everything alright?"

Maya forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Just... thinking."

Alex studied her for a moment, his gaze sharp. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."

She nodded, appreciating his offer but unsure of how to navigate the complexities of her situation. "Thank you, Alex."

Before she could continue, a soft voice interrupted them.

"Is everything alright?"

Maya turned to see Isabella standing at the end of the hallway, her expression one of feigned concern. She was dressed in a flowing gown, her hair cascading in waves, embodying the image of a concerned friend.

"Isabella," Maya greeted, her tone guarded. "I'm fine, just... taking a walk."

Isabella approached, her smile warm and inviting. "I understand. The estate can be overwhelming at times. If you ever need company or someone to confide in, I'm here."

Maya hesitated, the sincerity in Isabella's eyes almost convincing. But recent events have taught her to be cautious.

"Thank you," Maya replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'll keep that in mind."

As Isabella continued down the hallway, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her presence than met the eye. She had returned to Zane's life with unsettling timing, and Maya couldn't ignore the possibility that her intentions were not as benign as they appeared.

The following days were a blur of tension and unease. Maya's every move felt scrutinized, and the weight of the anonymous messages and threats bore heavily on her. She had confided in Zane about the messages, but he had insisted on handling the matter discreetly, not wanting to alarm her further.

Despite his reassurances, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that danger was closing in. The estate, once a place of refuge, now felt like a gilded cage.

One evening, as she sat in the drawing room, a soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in," she called.

The door creaked open, and Alex stepped inside, his expression serious.

"Miss Maya," he began, his voice low, "there's something you need to see."

He handed her a small envelope, its contents a single photograph. Maya's breath caught as she recognized the image—her father, Charles, standing alongside a man she didn't know, both smiling broadly.

"Where did you get this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Helena had it," Alex replied. "She had a private investigator look into your family. This photograph was among the findings."

Maya's mind raced. Helena had uncovered her father's past, and now she was using it as leverage against her. The implications were dire. If Helena exposed this information, it could ruin her reputation and destroy any chance she had with Zane.

"Thank you, Alex," Maya said, her voice trembling. "I need to speak with Zane."

Later that evening, Maya found Zane in his study, his brow furrowed as he reviewed documents. She approached him cautiously, the weight of the photograph heavy in her hand.

"Zane," she began, her voice shaky, "I need to talk to you about something."

He looked up, his expression softening upon seeing her distress. "Of course, Maya. What's wrong?"

She handed him the photograph, watching as his eyes scanned it. Recognition flickered across his face.

"Helena had this," Maya continued. "She had a private investigator look into my family. She knows about my father's past."

Zane's jaw tightened, his gaze darkening. "This is unacceptable. Helena has no right to use your family's history against you."

Maya's heart pounded. "What do we do? If she exposes this, it could ruin me. It could ruin us."

Zane stood, his demeanor shifting to one of determination. "We won't let her. I'll handle this."

"But how?" Maya asked, her voice tinged with desperation.

"We'll confront her," Zane said firmly. "She needs to understand that she can't manipulate you or me. Not anymore."

The next morning, Zane and Maya approached Helena's private study, the tension between them palpable. Helena sat at her desk, her expression unreadable as they entered.

"Helena," Zane began, his voice cold, "we need to talk."

Helena looked up, her smile thin and calculating. "Ah, my son and his... wife. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Maya stood beside Zane, her posture stiff. "We know about the private investigator," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "We know you've been digging into my family's past."

Helena's eyes gleamed with amusement. "And what if I have? It's a mother's prerogative to protect her family."

Zane's patience snapped. "This isn't protection, Helena. This is manipulation. You're using Maya's past to control her, to control me."

Helena's smile faltered, but she quickly regained her composure. "I'm merely looking out for you, Zane. You don't know what you're getting into with her."

Maya stepped forward, her voice unwavering. "I don't need your protection, Helena. I can make my own choices."

Helena's gaze flicked between them, her expression hardening. "You think you can defy me? You think you can just waltz into this family and take what's mine?"

Zane's voice was low and dangerous. "Enough, Helena. This ends now."

As they left Helena's study, Maya felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Confronting Helena had been necessary, but the battle was far from over.

Zane turned to her, his expression softening. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Maya. I should have protected you better."

Maya shook her head. "It's not your fault. But we need to be careful. Helena won't stop. She'll find another way to undermine me."

Zane nodded, his jaw set. "Then we'll be ready. Together."

As they stood there, united against the forces that sought to tear them apart, Maya realized that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges. But with Zane by her side, she felt a glimmer of hope that they could overcome anything.