CHAPTER 21

The confrontation with Helena had left Maya emotionally drained, but her resolve was stronger than ever. She couldn’t allow herself to be intimidated by Zane’s mother. Still, as she sat in the quiet of Zane’s suite later that evening, the weight of Helena’s threats hung heavy on her chest.

Her father’s past was a shadow she had spent years trying to outrun. Financial fraud, whispered scandals—things she had buried to protect her family’s reputation. And now Helena had unearthed it, her weapon aimed directly at Maya’s heart.

Maya’s hands trembled as she stared at her phone, her instincts warring with her growing desperation.

Should I warn my father? Should I tell him what Helena knows?

The thought was interrupted by Zane’s arrival. He stepped into the room, his presence commanding as always, but his expression carried a heaviness that matched her own.

“She won’t stop, Maya,” he said, sitting beside her. “Helena thrives on control. The more we push back, the more ruthless she’ll become.”

Maya nodded, her throat tight. “I know. But what if she’s right about one thing?”

Zane frowned, turning to face her fully. “About what?”

She hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “About me not belonging here. About being a liability.”

Zane’s eyes softened, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. “Maya, listen to me. You’re not a liability. You’re my wife. And that means no one—not Helena, not Luca, not anyone—gets to decide your worth but you.”

His words sent a shiver through her, the conviction in his voice anchoring her in a way she hadn’t expected.

The next morning, Maya decided to take a walk through the gardens to clear her head. The chill in the air seemed sharper today, the shadows cast by the estate’s towering walls darker.

As she approached the fountain, her gaze caught a figure standing near the hedge maze. It was Isabella, her flawless features illuminated by the soft morning light. She was on the phone, her voice low but animated.

Maya hesitated, curiosity pulling her closer. She stopped just behind the stone trellis, close enough to catch fragments of Isabella’s conversation.

“…yes, I’ve spoken to Luca. He thinks she’s already cracking under the pressure… No, don’t worry. Zane will come around eventually.”

Maya’s blood ran cold.

“Of course, I’ll play nice,” Isabella continued, her tone sugary sweet. “The last thing we need is her suspecting anything. But trust me, she won’t last much longer.”

Maya’s heart pounded as she pressed herself against the trellis, her mind racing. She’s working with Luca. They’re trying to push me out of Zane’s life.

Before she could slip away unnoticed, Isabella’s voice sharpened. “Hold on. I think I heard something.”

Maya froze, her breath catching in her throat.

Isabella appeared around the corner, her perfectly manicured brows lifting in surprise. “Maya! What a coincidence.”

Maya forced a smile, though her pulse thundered in her ears. “Isabella. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop—I was just walking.”

“Of course,” Isabella said, her smile disarming. “These gardens are lovely, aren’t they? A perfect place to gather your thoughts.”

Maya nodded stiffly, excusing herself as quickly as possible. But as she walked away, her mind churned with suspicion.

What else are they planning?

That evening, Maya couldn’t shake the unease from her encounter with Isabella. She waited until Zane returned from a business meeting, her thoughts too heavy to keep to herself.

“Zane,” she said as he entered the suite. “I need to tell you something.”

He looked at her, his silver eyes narrowing with concern. “What is it?”

She recounted the conversation she had overheard, carefully watching his reaction. As she spoke, his jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides.

“Luca,” he muttered, his voice like a blade. “I should’ve known.”

Maya hesitated. “And Isabella. She’s helping him, Zane. She’s playing innocent, but she’s part of this.”

His expression darkened further, a storm brewing behind his eyes. “They’re working together to destabilize me. To push you out.”

Her stomach twisted. “What do we do?”

Zane crossed the room, pacing like a caged animal. “We hit back. But carefully. If Luca and Isabella think they have the upper hand, they’ll get sloppy. And when they do, we’ll have everything we need to destroy them.”

His words sent a chill through her, but she nodded. “What can I do?”

“Stay close to me,” he said, his voice softening. “And don’t let them see you doubt yourself. That’s what they’re counting on.”

Two days later, Maya was summoned to Helena’s private sitting room. The summons was unexpected, and Maya couldn’t help but feel a pang of dread as she approached the elaborately carved double doors.

Helena was seated by the window, her posture impeccable as she sipped from a delicate porcelain teacup. She gestured for Maya to sit, her expression unreadable.

“I thought it was time we had a little chat,” Helena began, her tone deceptively pleasant.

Maya sat stiffly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “What about?”

Helena’s smile was thin, almost predatory. “About your father. And the interesting things I’ve learned about his… business practices.”

Maya’s breath caught.

“Relax, my dear,” Helena said smoothly. “I haven’t said anything. Yet. But that depends on you.”

“What do you want?” Maya asked, her voice shaking despite her best efforts.

Helena leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing. “I want you to leave Zane. Quietly, and without making a fuss. If you do, your father’s secrets will remain just that—secrets.”

Maya’s stomach churned, her fear quickly giving way to anger. “I’m not leaving him.”

Helena’s smile faltered, but her voice remained calm. “Then I suggest you prepare yourself for what happens next. Because I assure you, Maya, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my family’s legacy. Even if that means destroying yours.”

Maya left Helena’s sitting room with her heart pounding and her resolve hardening. She knew Helena wasn’t bluffing, but she also knew she couldn’t give in.

That night, as she lay in bed beside Zane, she stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. She couldn’t let Helena win, but she also couldn’t risk her father’s downfall.

Zane stirred beside her, his arm draping protectively over her waist. “You’re tense,” he murmured sleepily.

“I’m fine,” she whispered, though her voice wavered.

He tightened his hold, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it. Together.”

Maya closed her eyes, her resolve solidifying. She wasn’t just fighting for herself anymore. She was fighting for her child, for Zane, and for the future they were trying to build.

No matter what Helena, Luca, or Isabella threw at her, she wouldn’t back down.

She couldn’t.