CHAPTER 35

The Moretti estate was alive with its usual elegance, but beneath its polished surface, tension simmered. Maya could feel it in the air—the sharp glances, the veiled comments, the way conversations seemed to stop when she entered a room.

At breakfast, Helena sat across from Maya, her expression cool and unreadable. Zane was absent, caught up in yet another meeting to handle the fallout of Luca’s betrayal. The table felt far too large and quiet for two people.

“Maya,” Helena began, her voice smooth. “You’ve adjusted well to life here, considering the circumstances.”

Maya set her coffee cup down carefully, already bracing herself for whatever was coming. “I’m doing my best.”

Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile. “It’s admirable, truly. But I wonder if you’ve considered how… tenuous your position here is.”

Maya frowned. “What do you mean?”

Helena tilted her head, her eyes sharp. “This family requires strength, resilience, and loyalty. And while Zane may be… infatuated, those feelings can be fleeting. People in our world don’t marry for love, Maya. They marry for power.”

The words stung, but Maya refused to flinch. “Zane and I made our choices. That’s not going to change.”

Helena’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Perhaps. But alliances shift quickly in times of crisis. You’d do well to remember that.”

A Seed of Doubt

Helena’s words lingered in Maya’s mind long after breakfast. She knew the older woman was trying to get under her skin, but the truth in her statement was undeniable. The world Maya had married into was ruthless, and emotions often took a backseat to strategy.

Later that morning, Maya found herself in the library, staring at the gilded spines of books she had no intention of reading. Reese’s voice startled her.

“Hey, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Reese said, plopping into the seat beside her.

Maya managed a small smile. “It’s just… everything. Helena, Luca, Donovan. It feels like I’m walking on a tightrope, and I don’t know what’s waiting at the bottom.”

Reese nodded, her expression serious for once. “Helena is trying to rattle you. Don’t let her. That woman thrives on making people doubt themselves.”

“I know,” Maya said softly. “But what if she’s right? What if I don’t belong here?”

Reese grabbed Maya’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “Listen to me. Zane married you because he wants you here. You’re strong, Maya. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. Don’t let her win.”

Maya nodded, grateful for Reese’s unwavering support. But the doubts planted by Helena were harder to shake than she wanted to admit.

An Unexpected Ally

That afternoon, Maya crossed paths with Luca. She hadn’t seen him since his arrest, and the sight of him walking freely through the estate sent a jolt of anger through her.

“Surprised to see me?” Luca asked, his smirk as infuriating as ever.

“How are you not locked up?” Maya demanded, her voice sharp.

Luca chuckled. “Zane let me out, temporarily. Something about keeping up appearances.”

Maya’s fists clenched at her sides. “You’ve done nothing but hurt this family. Why would he trust you now?”

Luca stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Trust has nothing to do with it. But you should know something, Maya—Zane isn’t always the man you think he is.”

“What are you talking about?” Maya asked, her stomach twisting.

Luca’s smirk widened. “You think Zane’s this noble protector, always putting you first. But he has secrets, Maya. Big ones. Ones that could change everything.”

“You’re lying,” Maya said, though her voice wavered.

“Am I?” Luca said with a shrug. “Ask him about Cocona. Ask him why her name makes him so… uneasy.”

Before Maya could respond, Luca walked away, leaving her reeling.

A Tense Conversation

Maya spent the rest of the day trying to focus on anything but Luca’s words, but they clung to her like a shadow. By the time Zane returned to the suite that evening, she was ready to confront him.

He entered the room, his tie loosened and exhaustion etched into his features. “Maya,” he said, his tone soft as he approached her. “You’ve had a long day.”

“So have you,” she said, watching him carefully.

Zane sat beside her on the edge of the bed, his silver eyes scanning her face. “What’s on your mind?”

Maya hesitated, then took a deep breath. “Luca said something to me today. About you. About… Cocona.”

Zane’s expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening. “What did he say?”

“He said her name makes you uneasy,” Maya said carefully. “Why, Zane? Who was she?”

For a moment, Zane didn’t respond. His hands clenched into fists, and his gaze dropped to the floor.

“She was my best friend,” he said finally, his voice low. “We grew up together. She was one of the only people I trusted.”

Maya reached for his hand, her heart aching at the pain in his voice. “What happened to her?”

“She died,” Zane said, his voice tight. “It was an accident. But people blamed me. They said I didn’t do enough to save her.”

Maya’s chest tightened. “I’m so sorry, Zane. I didn’t know.”

He looked up at her, his silver eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and anger. “Luca is using her name to manipulate you, Maya. Don’t let him. Cocona’s death haunts me, but I won’t let him twist it into something it’s not.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening. “I won’t let him win, Zane. We’ll get through this together.”

Zane’s expression softened, and he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

Helena’s Game

The next morning, Maya found herself summoned to Helena’s sitting room again. This time, she entered with a renewed sense of determination, ready to face whatever barbs Helena threw her way.

Helena gestured for Maya to sit, her expression as composed as ever. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”

“I’m doing what I can to protect this family,” Maya said evenly.

Helena chuckled softly. “And yet, you seem to be at the center of so much chaos. It’s almost as if trouble follows you, my dear.”

Maya’s patience frayed, but she forced herself to stay calm. “If you have a point, Helena, I suggest you make it.”

Helena’s smile widened. “My point, Maya, is that Zane is carrying this family on his shoulders. And if you’re not careful, you’ll become more of a burden than a partner.”

Maya met Helena’s gaze, her voice steady. “I’m stronger than you think, Helena. And I won’t let you or anyone else tear this family apart.”

For the first time, Helena’s expression faltered, a flicker of respect flashing in her eyes. “We’ll see, Maya. We’ll see.”

A Moment of Strength

That evening, as Maya stood on the balcony of the suite, she felt the weight of the day settle over her. The manipulation, the doubts, the constant pressure—it was almost too much to bear.

But as Zane joined her, wrapping an arm around her waist, she felt a spark of hope.

“You’re stronger than they realize,” he murmured.

Maya leaned into him, her hand resting on her stomach. “I have to be. For you, for the baby… for us.”

And as the night stretched on, Maya vowed to rise above the manipulations and conflicts. She wasn’t just fighting for herself anymore—she was fighting for her family.