CHAPTER 41

The morning came with an oppressive heaviness, the Moretti estate quieter than usual, as though everyone was holding their breath. Maya’s mind was still reeling from the night before—the discovery of Donovan’s connection to Moretti business dealings and Zane’s insistence that it was in the past.

But was it really?

As Maya dressed for the day, she resolved not to let the doubt consume her. If she wanted the truth, she would have to search for it herself.

Helena’s Calculations

Maya entered the dining room to find Helena already seated, sipping her tea with an air of regal detachment. Her piercing eyes flicked to Maya as she approached, her smile faint and unreadable.

“Good morning, my dear,” Helena said smoothly.

Maya forced a polite smile as she took her seat. “Morning.”

Helena set her cup down, her gaze sharp. “I heard you’ve been spending time in the library. Researching family history, perhaps?”

Maya’s chest tightened, but she kept her expression neutral. “Just trying to understand the world I’ve stepped into.”

“How diligent of you,” Helena said, her tone carrying a hint of mockery. “Though I wonder if you’ll like what you find. This family’s history is… complicated, to say the least.”

Maya met Helena’s gaze evenly. “Complications don’t scare me.”

Helena’s lips curved into a smile, but her eyes remained cold. “Good. Because you’ll need that resilience, Maya. Especially when the truth begins to weigh on you.”

The words felt like a warning, but Maya refused to let them rattle her.

Reese’s Observations

After breakfast, Maya found Reese in the sitting room, flipping through her phone. Reese looked up as Maya entered, immediately sensing her friend’s unease.

“What now?” Reese asked, setting the phone aside.

“Helena,” Maya said with a sigh, sitting beside her. “She knows I’ve been looking into the family’s history. She practically told me I wouldn’t like what I find.”

Reese frowned. “She’s trying to spook you. She hates that you’re standing your ground.”

“I know,” Maya admitted. “But I can’t shake the feeling that she’s right. There’s so much about this family that I don’t understand. And every time I think I’m getting closer, I find something else to question.”

Reese leaned back, her expression thoughtful. “Then maybe it’s time to stop playing defense. If Helena and Luca are going to keep testing you, hit back. Find out what they’re hiding and use it against them.”

Maya hesitated, the idea both daunting and exhilarating. “You think I should fight fire with fire?”

Reese’s grin was sharp. “Exactly. It’s time they see you’re not just some outsider they can push around.”

A Chance Encounter

Later that afternoon, Maya was walking through the gardens when she heard voices coming from the east wing balcony. She slowed her pace, her curiosity piqued.

As she drew closer, she recognized one of the voices as Luca’s, smooth and confident as always.

“…she’s not as naive as you think,” Luca was saying.

“Perhaps,” Helena replied, her tone cold. “But naivety isn’t the issue. It’s her insistence on meddling. She doesn’t know when to stay in her place.”

Maya’s stomach churned, but she stayed hidden, straining to hear more.

“She’s determined,” Luca said with a chuckle. “I’ll give her that. But determination can be dangerous, especially when it’s misplaced.”

Helena’s reply was sharp. “She’s a distraction. Zane’s focus is slipping because of her, and we can’t afford that. If she doesn’t learn her place soon, we’ll have to make it clear to her.”

Maya’s hands clenched into fists. The venom in Helena’s words was undeniable, and Luca’s agreement stung more than she wanted to admit.

A Bold Confrontation

That evening, Maya couldn’t hold her anger any longer. As Zane returned to the suite, she was already pacing, her mind racing with the day’s revelations.

“Maya?” Zane said, closing the door behind him. “What’s wrong?”

She turned to face him, her eyes blazing. “I heard Helena and Luca talking today. They were discussing me—calling me a distraction. Saying I don’t know my place.”

Zane’s expression darkened, his silver eyes narrowing. “What exactly did they say?”

Maya recounted the conversation, her voice trembling with frustration. “They think I’m the reason you’re distracted. That I’m making you weak.”

“That’s enough,” Zane said sharply, his anger palpable. “You are not a distraction, Maya. You’re my wife. My partner. If Helena and Luca can’t see that, it’s their problem—not yours.”

“But it is my problem,” Maya said, her voice rising. “They’re trying to undermine me at every turn, and I can’t keep fighting them alone.”

“You’re not alone,” Zane said firmly, stepping closer. “I’ll handle them.”

Maya shook her head, her frustration spilling over. “You can’t protect me from everything, Zane. I need to stand on my own, and I need you to trust me to do that.”

Zane’s gaze softened, and he reached for her hand. “I do trust you. But you don’t have to fight this battle alone. We’re stronger together, Maya. Don’t forget that.”

A Moment of Clarity

As the estate settled into quiet that night, Maya found herself on the balcony, staring out at the darkened grounds. Zane joined her, his arm wrapping around her waist as they stood in silence.

“They’re not going to stop,” Maya said softly. “Helena, Luca… they’ll keep trying to break us.”

“Then we won’t let them,” Zane replied, his voice steady.

Maya turned to him, her eyes searching his. “Promise me something, Zane. No more secrets. If we’re going to get through this, we need to be honest with each other.”

Zane nodded, his expression serious. “I promise.”

For the first time in days, Maya felt a flicker of hope. Together, they could face whatever came next.

Helena’s Next Move

Elsewhere in the estate, Helena sat in her private study, a glass of wine in hand as she reviewed a set of documents. Luca entered, his expression smug as he settled into a chair across from her.

“Well?” Helena asked without looking up.

“She’s tougher than I thought,” Luca admitted. “But she’s not invincible. If we keep pushing, she’ll slip.”

Helena smiled faintly, her eyes glinting with cold calculation. “Good. Because the moment she falters, we’ll be ready.”