CHAPTER 23

The morning air was crisp, but Maya barely noticed as she made her way through the estate grounds, Alex’s firm strides keeping pace beside her. The note’s ominous message—“Leave or die”—was burned into her mind, pushing her past fear and into a realm of cold determination.

She wasn’t running.

For too long, she had let others control the narrative, treat her like a pawn in a game she didn’t understand. That ended today.

Alex led her to a secluded corner of the estate, away from prying eyes and ears. The small utility building housed security feeds and communication equipment that even Zane didn’t fully utilize.

“We’ll start here,” Alex said, his voice low and focused. “Whoever’s behind this note, the cameras might’ve caught something. But this won’t be easy—they’ve been careful.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “Then we’ll be thorough.”

The surveillance footage rolled in silence, the timestamps flashing as Alex fast-forwarded through hours of uneventful clips. Maya leaned over his shoulder, her stomach twisting with anticipation.

“Wait,” she said suddenly, pointing at the screen.

Alex paused the footage. The screen displayed a dimly lit hallway near her room. At 2:17 a.m., a shadowy figure entered the frame. Their face was obscured by a hood, but their movements were deliberate.

The figure slipped something under Maya’s door before retreating swiftly.

“Can we enhance that?” Maya asked, her voice tight.

Alex sighed. “Not enough detail to ID them. But the build… it’s familiar.”

Maya frowned. “Luca?”

Alex shook his head. “No. Too slim. My guess? Someone working for him.”

Maya’s stomach sank. The web of threats surrounding her seemed to grow more tangled by the second.

“Keep digging,” she said. “If we can figure out who that is, we’ll be one step closer to stopping this.”

Alex nodded, his focus unwavering. “You should tell Zane.”

Maya hesitated. “Not yet. If Luca’s involved, Zane’s emotions could cloud his judgment. We need more proof.”

The following day, Maya found herself face-to-face with Isabella in the sprawling drawing room. Isabella’s perfect smile was firmly in place, but Maya couldn’t forget the conversation she had overheard in the garden.

“Darling,” Isabella cooed, her tone dripping with false warmth, “you look pale. Are you feeling alright?”

Maya forced a polite smile, though her fingers itched to wipe the smug expression off Isabella’s face. “I’m fine, thank you.”

“Good,” Isabella said, sitting gracefully on the chaise lounge. “Because I thought it might be nice for us to spend some time together. After all, we’re practically family now.”

Maya’s jaw tightened. Family? The word felt like a slap coming from someone so clearly intent on undermining her.

“What did you have in mind?” Maya asked, keeping her tone neutral.

Isabella’s smile widened. “Oh, just a little outing. Perhaps some shopping? Or lunch in the city?”

Maya hesitated. Spending time with Isabella was the last thing she wanted, but the opportunity to observe her more closely might yield valuable insight.

“Sure,” she said finally. “That sounds… nice.”

The drive into the city was uncomfortably quiet, the hum of the car engine the only sound between them. Maya kept her focus on the passing buildings, while Isabella scrolled through her phone with an air of disinterest.

Finally, Isabella broke the silence. “You know, Maya, being married to Zane isn’t as glamorous as it seems.”

Maya glanced at her. “What do you mean?”

Isabella chuckled softly, her gaze still fixed on her phone. “Zane’s world is full of secrets. Some of them darker than you can imagine. He protects you now, but trust me—there will come a day when you’ll realize he was only ever protecting himself.”

The words sent a chill down Maya’s spine, but she forced herself to remain calm. “You seem awfully interested in my marriage, Isabella.”

Isabella finally looked up, her smile sharp. “Only because I’ve been where you are. I know how it feels to think you’re the center of his world, only to realize you’re just a piece on his chessboard.”

Maya’s stomach churned, but she refused to rise to the bait. “Thanks for the advice,” she said coolly. “But I think I’ll take my chances.”

Isabella’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered. “Suit yourself, darling. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

When Maya returned to the estate, Zane was waiting for her in his study, his expression dark.

“Where were you?” he demanded, his silver eyes narrowing.

Maya sighed, setting her purse on the desk. “I went into the city with Isabella.”

“Isabella?” he repeated, his tone incredulous. “Maya, you can’t trust her.”

“I know,” she said, meeting his gaze. “But I needed to see her up close. To figure out what she’s planning.”

Zane ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “You’re putting yourself in danger.”

“I’m already in danger,” Maya shot back. “Every time I step out of this room, someone is waiting to strike. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

He exhaled sharply, his posture stiff. “I understand that you want to help, but you don’t know what you’re up against.”

“Then tell me!” she said, her voice rising. “Tell me what I’m up against, Zane. Because right now, I feel like I’m fighting a battle blindfolded.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger and something deeper—guilt. “It’s not that simple, Maya.”

“Then make it simple,” she said softly, her voice breaking. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to end up like Cocona. And I don’t think I can survive that.”

Her words seemed to cut through him, and for a moment, the anger in his eyes was replaced by pain. He stepped closer, his hands reaching for hers.

“I won’t let that happen,” he said quietly. “You mean too much to me, Maya. You and our child.”

She searched his face, looking for the truth in his words. “Then help me, Zane. Help me fight this.”

After a long moment, he nodded. “Alright. But if we’re going to do this, we do it my way.”

That night, as Maya lay in bed beside Zane, she was startled awake by the sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand.

She grabbed it quickly, her heart racing as she saw another message from the unknown number.

“You think you’re safe, but the walls have ears. Run while you still can.”

Maya’s breath came in shallow gasps as she stared at the words. She felt Zane stir beside her, his hand reaching out to touch her arm.

“What is it?” he asked, his voice thick with sleep.

Wordlessly, she handed him the phone. His expression darkened as he read the message, his grip tightening on the device.

“This ends now,” he said, his voice low and deadly.

Maya nodded, her fear replaced by a growing resolve. Whoever was behind these threats, they had underestimated her.

And she was done being afraid.

The next morning, Zane gathered Alex and a small team of his most trusted men in his study. Maya stood nearby, listening as Zane outlined a plan to root out the mole within the estate.

“We start with the staff,” Zane said, his voice firm. “Background checks, interviews, everything. No one is above suspicion—not even family.”

Alex nodded, his expression grim. “What about Luca and Isabella?”

Zane’s eyes flashed with cold determination. “They’re next. But we need proof before we make a move. If we act too soon, we risk tipping them off.”

Maya watched as the men strategized, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation.

The game was far from over.

But this time, she was ready to play.