CHAPTER 36

The following day dawned with a strange stillness, as though the Moretti estate was holding its breath. Maya spent the morning pacing the suite, trying to distract herself with small tasks, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the previous day.

Luca’s words about Cocona. Helena’s veiled threats.

The cracks in the Moretti family were widening, and Maya could feel the weight of every fracture pressing down on her.

By midmorning, she decided she couldn’t stay idle any longer. She needed to take control of something—anything.

Helena’s Subtle Strike

Maya found herself in the sunroom, a quiet corner of the estate where she could think. She didn’t expect Helena to join her, but when the older woman entered, she braced herself.

“Maya,” Helena said, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “I’ve been thinking about our conversation yesterday. It’s clear to me that you’re… determined to find your place in this family.”

“I am,” Maya replied evenly.

Helena sat gracefully on a nearby chair, folding her hands in her lap. “Good. Because I believe it’s time we discussed your role more… thoroughly.”

Maya’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Helena’s smile was faint but calculated. “Zane is carrying a tremendous burden, as you know. And while I’m sure your intentions are noble, I wonder if you truly understand the pressures of his position.”

“I understand more than you think,” Maya said, her voice firm.

“Do you?” Helena countered. “Because in this world, loyalty isn’t just about love or promises. It’s about strategy. Position. Power.”

Maya’s chest tightened. “What are you trying to say?”

Helena leaned forward slightly, her gaze piercing. “I’m saying that if you truly want to be a part of this family, you need to prove yourself. Not to Zane—he’s already blinded by his emotions—but to the rest of us.”

Maya’s heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm. “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?”

“Simple,” Helena said, her smile returning. “Distance yourself from your father.”

The words hit Maya like a slap. “What?”

“You heard me,” Helena said, her tone smooth. “Your father’s dealings have brought nothing but trouble to this family. If you want to show where your loyalties truly lie, you’ll make it clear that his actions don’t reflect on you—or your child.”

Maya stood abruptly, her hands trembling at her sides. “I won’t abandon my father.”

“Then you’ll be choosing him over Zane,” Helena said, her voice deceptively soft. “And believe me, Maya, that’s a choice you’ll regret.”

A Confession to Reese

Shaken by Helena’s ultimatum, Maya sought out Reese, desperate for a sounding board. She found her friend in the sitting room, flipping through a magazine and sipping coffee.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Reese said, setting the magazine aside. “What’s going on?”

Maya hesitated, then sank into the chair across from her. “Helena. She wants me to distance myself from my father. She said I need to prove my loyalty to the family.”

Reese’s eyes widened. “She really said that? That woman has no boundaries.”

“She made it sound like a test,” Maya said, her voice trembling. “Like if I don’t do it, I’ll never be good enough.”

Reese leaned forward, her expression fierce. “Maya, listen to me. Helena doesn’t get to decide your worth. You’ve already proven yourself a hundred times over by standing your ground. Don’t let her manipulate you into thinking you have to choose between your father and Zane.”

Maya swallowed hard, the weight of Reese’s words sinking in. “But what if she’s right? What if I’m putting Zane in danger by staying loyal to my father?”

“Zane doesn’t need you to cut ties with your dad,” Reese said firmly. “He needs you to be you. Don’t let Helena’s games mess with your head.”

Maya nodded slowly, feeling a flicker of strength return. “You’re right. I won’t let her win.”

Luca’s Next Move

Later that afternoon, Maya crossed paths with Luca again. This time, he was seated in the library, flipping through a book with an air of practiced indifference.

“Back for round two?” he asked without looking up.

Maya stopped in the doorway, her stomach churning. “Why are you still here, Luca? Zane should have sent you far away by now.”

Luca smirked, finally closing the book. “Family ties are hard to break. Even for Zane.”

“You don’t deserve his mercy,” Maya said, her voice trembling with anger.

“Maybe not,” Luca said with a shrug. “But you should be grateful I’m still around. After all, I might be your only ally in this house.”

Maya’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Luca leaned back in his chair, his gaze calculating. “Think about it, Maya. Zane has his empire. Helena has her legacy. But what do you have? Nothing. No power. No leverage. The only reason you’re still standing is because Zane’s protecting you.”

“That’s not true,” Maya said, though her voice wavered.

“Isn’t it?” Luca pressed. “You’re walking a fine line, Maya. And when the dust settles, you’ll see who’s really on your side.”

Maya clenched her fists, refusing to let Luca’s words take root. “I don’t need your help, Luca. And I won’t let you manipulate me.”

He chuckled, his smile infuriatingly smug. “We’ll see.”

A Heart-to-Heart with Zane

That evening, Maya couldn’t keep her thoughts to herself any longer. As she and Zane sat in the suite, the weight of the day pressed down on her.

“I need to ask you something,” she said, her voice hesitant.

Zane looked up from his laptop, his silver eyes immediately attentive. “What’s on your mind?”

“Helena,” Maya began, struggling to find the right words. “She thinks I should… distance myself from my father. She said it’s the only way to prove my loyalty to this family.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “She had no right to say that to you.”

“I don’t know what to do, Zane,” Maya admitted, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t abandon my father.”

Zane reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. “You don’t have to choose, Maya. Your loyalty to me isn’t in question, no matter what Helena says. And as for your father… we’ll protect him, no matter what it takes.”

Maya felt a surge of relief, tears pricking at her eyes. “Thank you.”

Zane leaned closer, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You’re stronger than you realize. Don’t let Helena or anyone else make you doubt that.”

Maya’s Resolve

As the night settled over the estate, Maya lay awake, her mind replaying the events of the day. The manipulations, the tests, the doubts—they were all designed to break her.

But she wouldn’t let them.

Helena’s words might have shaken her, and Luca’s attempts to sow discord might have planted seeds of doubt, but Maya was determined to rise above it all.

For her baby. For Zane.

And for herself.