CHAPTER 39

The Moretti estate bustled with activity the next morning, but Maya felt the weight of every glance and whispered words as though they were aimed directly at her. She had resolved not to let Helena or Luca’s manipulations shake her, but the strain of constant conflict was wearing thin.

Still, she pushed forward. She had a place in this family, whether they accepted it or not.

Maya spent most of the morning in the nursery, arranging the baby’s things. The soft pastels and tiny clothes offered a small reprieve from the chaos, a reminder of the life she and Zane were building.

But even here, peace was fleeting.

Helena’s Subtle Push

Helena appeared in the doorway, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the room.

“Maya,” she said smoothly. “May I join you?”

Maya hesitated, then nodded. “Of course.”

Helena stepped inside, her sharp eyes scanning the neatly arranged shelves and folded blankets. “Preparing for the future, I see. That’s wise.”

Maya forced a polite smile. “It’s important to be ready.”

“Indeed,” Helena replied, her tone deceptively casual. “Though I wonder… have you considered how your father’s situation might complicate things? His troubles have a way of spilling over, don’t they?”

Maya’s grip on the edge of the crib tightened. “My father’s situation is under control.”

Helena arched a brow. “Is it? Because from where I stand, it seems like a liability. And liabilities have a way of becoming… distractions.”

Maya turned to face her fully, her voice steady. “If you’re trying to suggest that my father is a threat to this family, you’re wrong.”

Helena smiled faintly, but her eyes remained cold. “I hope so. For your sake.”

With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Maya seething.

Reese’s Perspective

Maya sought out Reese in the sitting room, desperate for a friendly face after Helena’s thinly veiled warning. Reese was curled up on the couch with a magazine, but she set it aside as soon as Maya entered.

“What happened?” Reese asked, immediately picking up on Maya’s mood.

“Helena,” Maya said, collapsing into the chair across from her. “She won’t stop pushing. She keeps bringing up my father, trying to make me feel like I don’t belong.”

Reese frowned. “She’s trying to break you. That’s what she does. She can’t stand the idea of you holding your ground, so she keeps poking, hoping you’ll crack.”

“I won’t crack,” Maya said firmly, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. “But it’s exhausting. Every time I think I’m making progress, she finds a new way to get under my skin.”

Reese leaned forward, her expression fierce. “Then don’t play her game. If she wants you to feel weak, show her strength. Don’t give her the satisfaction of knowing she’s getting to you.”

Maya nodded, taking a deep breath. “You’re right. I can’t let her win.”

“You’re stronger than you think, Maya,” Reese said with a reassuring smile. “And you’re not alone. Remember that.”

A Visit from Luca

Later that afternoon, Maya was in the garden when Luca approached her. His casual swagger and easy grin made her blood boil, but she forced herself to stay calm.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Luca said, leaning against a nearby bench.

“What do you want, Luca?” Maya asked, her tone sharp.

“Relax,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I just came to talk.”

Maya crossed her arms. “You’ve been talking a lot lately. Mostly lies.”

“Lies?” Luca repeated, feigning offense. “Now that’s harsh. I prefer to think of them as… perspectives.”

“Save it,” Maya said. “I’m not interested in whatever game you’re playing.”

Luca’s grin widened. “Oh, but you should be. Because like it or not, you’re in this game. And if you don’t play smart, you’re going to lose.”

Maya’s jaw tightened. “I’m not afraid of you, Luca.”

“You should be,” he said, his tone suddenly serious. “Because while you’re busy fighting off Helena’s little jabs, the real battle is happening behind the scenes. And Zane’s not telling you everything.”

Maya stared at him, her heart racing. “What are you talking about?”

Luca shrugged, his grin returning. “Ask him. If he’s as honest as you think he is, you’ll get your answers.”

Before she could respond, Luca walked away, leaving her with more questions than ever.

A Confrontation with Zane

That evening, Maya waited for Zane in the suite, her thoughts swirling. When he finally arrived, she could see the tension in his posture, the weight of the day’s challenges etched into his features.

“Maya,” he said softly, crossing the room to her. “Is everything okay?”

She hesitated, then met his gaze. “I need to ask you something. And I need you to be honest with me.”

Zane frowned, his silver eyes narrowing. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

“Luca,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “He keeps saying there are things you’re not telling me. Things about this family, about your business. Is he right?”

Zane sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Maya, Luca thrives on stirring the pot. He wants you to question me because it gives him power.”

“That’s not an answer,” she pressed. “Are there things you’re hiding from me, Zane? Things that could affect us?”

He stepped closer, his hands resting on her shoulders. “There are things I’ve chosen not to share because they don’t concern you. My business decisions, my dealings with Donovan—those are my burdens to bear. Not yours.”

“But what if they do concern me?” Maya asked, her voice trembling. “What if the choices you make come back to hurt us?”

Zane’s expression softened, and he pulled her into his arms. “Maya, everything I do is to protect you and our child. I won’t let anyone or anything harm us. But you have to trust me.”

She rested her head against his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath her ear. “I do trust you. But I need to know we’re in this together.”

“We are,” Zane said firmly. “Always.”

A Plan in Motion

As the estate settled into an uneasy quiet that night, Maya lay awake, her thoughts racing. Helena’s manipulations, Luca’s cryptic warnings, Zane’s reassurances—it all felt like pieces of a puzzle she couldn’t quite solve.

But one thing was clear: if she wanted to protect her family, she needed to be proactive.

She sat up, her resolve hardening. If Helena and Luca wanted to play games, she would meet them on their own terms.

And this time, she wouldn’t play by their rules.