CHAPTER 47

The following morning dawned with an ominous stillness that Maya could feel deep in her chest. The Moretti estate, though tranquil on the surface, was a battleground, with invisible lines drawn and tension crackling in the air.

She dressed quickly, her mind racing with everything she’d learned. Helena’s covert meetings, Luca’s alliance with Donovan, and Zane’s growing frustration—it was all converging into something explosive.

Maya wasn’t sure how it would play out, but she knew one thing: she needed to be ready.

An Uneasy Breakfast

The dining room was unusually quiet. Maya sat at the table, across from Helena, who sipped her tea with an air of composed authority. Zane was absent again, immersed in business dealings, leaving Maya and Helena to their unspoken battle.

“You seem troubled this morning,” Helena said, breaking the silence.

Maya glanced up, her expression calm. “Not at all. Just thinking about the future.”

Helena’s lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes glinted with cold calculation. “Ah, the future. Such a delicate thing. One wrong move, and it can crumble.”

Maya met her gaze evenly. “Then it’s a good thing I’m not afraid of making bold moves.”

Helena’s smile tightened, but she said nothing more. The quiet tension between them was as sharp as any spoken threat.

Reese’s Findings

After breakfast, Maya met Reese in one of the estate’s smaller sitting rooms. Reese had been keeping an eye on Luca, and her findings were as troubling as Maya had expected.

“He’s been making a lot of phone calls,” Reese said, her voice low. “And not to anyone you’d want to see on your speed dial. One name stood out—Donovan Scott.”

Maya’s chest tightened. “So it’s confirmed. Luca’s working with Donovan.”

Reese nodded. “And they’re not being subtle about it. Whatever they’re planning, it’s big.”

Maya paced the room, her mind racing. “We need proof. If we can show Zane what Luca’s up to, he can stop it before it gets any further.”

Reese hesitated, then said, “There’s one more thing. I overheard Luca talking about you. He said you’re Zane’s weakness. That if they can get to you, they can get to him.”

Maya’s heart sank, but her resolve hardened. “Then I’ll make sure they don’t get to me.”

A Confrontation with Zane

Maya found Zane in his office later that morning, his silver eyes flashing with frustration as he reviewed a stack of documents.

“Zane,” she said, stepping inside.

He looked up, his expression softening. “Maya. What is it?”

“It’s Luca,” she said, her voice steady. “Reese overheard him talking to Donovan. They’re planning something, and they’re using me as leverage against you.”

Zane’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching on the desk. “I knew he was reckless, but this… this is beyond anything I expected.”

“What are we going to do?” Maya asked, her voice trembling.

Zane stood, crossing the room to take her hands in his. “We’re going to stop them. I’ve already been gathering evidence against Luca, but now it’s time to act. I won’t let him or Donovan hurt you.”

Maya’s chest tightened at the intensity in his gaze. “And I won’t let them hurt you, either. We’re in this together.”

Zane nodded, his grip on her hands tightening. “Always.”

Helena’s Unwelcome Interference

Later that day, Maya was in the garden, trying to clear her mind, when Helena approached her. The older woman’s presence was as commanding as ever, her sharp gaze assessing Maya with thinly veiled disdain.

“You’re quite resilient,” Helena said, her tone deceptively cordial.

“Thank you,” Maya replied evenly. “I’ve had to be.”

Helena smiled faintly, but her words carried an edge. “Resilience is admirable, but it’s not always enough. Especially when you’re surrounded by wolves.”

Maya’s patience frayed, but she forced herself to remain calm. “I’ve learned to handle wolves. The trick is not letting them see your fear.”

Helena’s smile faltered, and for a brief moment, Maya saw something like respect flicker in her eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

“Just remember,” Helena said, her voice cold. “In this family, survival isn’t guaranteed.”

An Anonymous Threat

That evening, Maya returned to the suite to find a note waiting for her on the coffee table. The paper was crisp, the handwriting elegant but unfamiliar.

“Leave while you still can. This family will destroy you.”

Maya’s breath caught as she read the words, her mind racing. She glanced around the room, but there was no sign of who had left it.

When Zane returned, she showed him the note. His reaction was immediate and fierce.

“Whoever did this is going to regret it,” he said, his voice low and dangerous.

“Zane, what if they’re right?” Maya asked, her voice trembling. “What if this family is too much for me?”

Zane cupped her face in his hands, his silver eyes blazing. “Don’t say that, Maya. You’re stronger than any of them. And as long as we’re together, they can’t touch us.”

Maya nodded, her resolve hardening once more. “You’re right. I won’t let them scare me.”

Luca’s Recklessness

Across the estate, Luca was pacing in his room, his phone pressed to his ear as he barked orders to someone on the other end.

“We don’t have time to wait,” he snapped. “Everything’s in place. We move tonight.”

The person on the other end said something, and Luca’s smirk returned. “Good. Let Zane think he’s in control. By the time he realizes what’s happening, it’ll be too late.”

He ended the call, his confidence unwavering. But as he turned to pour himself a drink, his expression darkened.

“This family needs a change,” he muttered to himself. “And I’m the only one who can make it happen.”

Maya’s Resolve

As the estate settled into quiet that night, Maya stood on the balcony, staring out at the darkened grounds. The note, Helena’s warnings, Reese’s discoveries—they were all pieces of a puzzle she couldn’t quite put together.

But one thing was clear: Luca and Helena were growing bolder, and the stakes were higher than ever.

Zane joined her, his presence grounding her as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

“What are you thinking?” he asked softly.

“That I’m ready,” Maya said, her voice steady. “Whatever comes next, I’m ready.”

Zane pressed a kiss to her temple, his voice low and reassuring. “We’ll face it together.”

And as the night stretched on, Maya’s determination solidified. The battles ahead would test her strength, but she wouldn’t back down.

Not now. Not ever.