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CHAPTER 88
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2025-01-05 00:14:15The afternoon sun poured into the suite, casting long shadows on the walls. Despite the lingering tension of Helena’s looming threats, there was a rare lull in the chaos. Zane and Maya decided to take advantage of the moment, stepping out for a quiet walk in the nearby park, hoping for a semblance of normalcy amidst the storm.
Maya held Zane’s arm as they strolled along the tree-lined paths, the soft rustle of leaves and the laughter of children providing a soothing backdrop. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to take a deep breath, savoring the tranquility.
“Do you remember the last time we did something like this?” Maya asked, her voice light.
Zane glanced down at her, his silver eyes softening. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”
“It does,” Maya said with a faint smile. “But moments like this remind me why we’re fighting so hard. It’s not just about survival—it’s about living.”
Zane nodded, his expression thoughtful. “And about building a future worth living for.”
---
An Unexpected Encounter
As they continued their walk, a voice called out behind them.
“Maya? Is that you?”
Maya froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned slowly to see a man approaching them—a man she hadn’t seen in years.
“Jeremy?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The man smiled, his face lighting up with recognition. He was tall and lean, with sandy brown hair and warm brown eyes. He exuded an easy charm that Maya had once found irresistible.
“It’s been forever,” Jeremy said, his gaze flicking between Maya and Zane. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Maya’s hand tightened on Zane’s arm. “What are you doing here, Jeremy?”
“Just visiting,” Jeremy said with a shrug. “I’ve been traveling a lot for work. And you? You seem… different.”
Maya hesitated, unsure how to respond. Zane’s silver eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped closer to her, his protective instincts kicking in.
“I’m Zane,” he said, his tone firm. “Maya’s husband.”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow, his smile faltering. “Husband? Wow. I didn’t know you’d gotten married, Maya.”
“It happened quickly,” Maya said, her voice steady. “Zane and I have been through a lot together.”
Jeremy’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded. “Well, congratulations. You deserve to be happy.”
“Thank you,” Maya said, her tone polite but distant.
Zane’s posture remained tense as Jeremy said his goodbyes and walked away, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
---
Lingering Questions
As they resumed their walk, Zane glanced at Maya, his silver eyes questioning.
“Who was that?” he asked, his voice calm but curious.
Maya hesitated, her thoughts swirling. “An old… friend,” she said finally. “From before I met you.”
“An old friend?” Zane repeated, his tone unreadable.
Maya sighed, stopping to face him. “We dated for a while when I was studying overseas. It wasn’t serious, but it ended badly. He wanted different things than I did.”
Zane studied her, his gaze searching. “Does he still matter to you?”
“No,” Maya said firmly. “You’re the only one who matters to me, Zane. Jeremy is just part of my past.”
Zane nodded, his silver eyes softening. “Then that’s all I need to know.”
---
A Complicated Past
Back at the suite, Maya couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling Jeremy’s appearance had stirred. She sat by the window, her thoughts racing.
Reese joined her, a mug of tea in hand. “You’ve got that look,” Reese said, her tone teasing. “What’s on your mind?”
“Someone from my past showed up today,” Maya admitted. “Jeremy.”
Reese’s eyes widened. “Jeremy? As in that Jeremy?”
Maya nodded.
“Wow,” Reese said, sitting beside her. “What did he want?”
“Nothing, apparently,” Maya said. “He said he was just visiting. But seeing him brought back… memories.”
Reese gave her a knowing look. “Memories of what?”
“Of who I used to be,” Maya said softly. “Of how uncertain I was about my life, my future. Seeing Jeremy reminded me of how far I’ve come—and how much I’ve grown.”
Reese smiled, her tone warm. “You’ve come a long way, Maya. And Zane clearly adores you. Don’t let the past mess with your present.”
“You’re right,” Maya said, her resolve strengthening. “Jeremy is the past. Zane and I are the future.”
---
A Subtle Warning
Meanwhile, Zane sat with Alex in the suite’s living room, going over the day’s events.
“Jeremy?” Alex asked, raising an eyebrow. “What’s his story?”
“Someone from Maya’s past,” Zane said, his tone neutral. “She says it’s nothing, but something about him doesn’t sit right with me.”
Alex nodded thoughtfully. “You think he’s connected to Helena?”
“I don’t know,” Zane admitted. “But we can’t afford to take any chances. Look into him. Quietly.”
Alex smirked. “Already on it.”
---
A Sudden Twist
That evening, as the team settled in for the night, Camilla’s laptop buzzed with an alert. She frowned as she read the notification, her expression darkening.
“What is it?” Zane asked, his silver eyes sharp.
“It’s Jeremy,” Camilla said. “I just pulled his travel records. He arrived in the city two days ago—and he’s been staying at a hotel owned by one of Helena’s shell companies.”
Maya’s stomach dropped, her hand instinctively resting on her baby bump. “You think he’s working with her?”
“It’s too much of a coincidence,” Alex said. “We need to find out what he’s up to.”
Zane’s expression hardened, his voice deadly. “If he’s involved, he’ll regret ever coming here.”
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The suite felt colder, the air heavy with the implications of what Camilla had uncovered. Maya sat on the couch, her thoughts racing as she tried to reconcile the man she once knew with the possibility that Jeremy could be working with Helena.Zane paced near the window, his silver eyes blazing as he issued orders. “Alex, I want every detail. Who he’s meeting, where he’s been, and why the hell he’s staying at one of Helena’s properties.”Alex nodded, already on his laptop. “I’ll have a report by morning.”Reese placed a comforting hand on Maya’s shoulder. “This could all be a coincidence,” she said gently. “We don’t know anything for sure yet.”“But what if it’s not?” Maya whispered, her voice trembling. “What if he’s part of her plan?”Zane stopped pacing, turning to Maya. His voice was steady, but his tone carried a razor edge. “If he is, he won’t get far. I promise you that.”---An Unwelcome VisitThe next morning, Maya sat in the kitchen nursing a cup of tea when a knock at the d
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The suite was thick with tension as Zane and Alex strategized their next move. The revelation about Jeremy had shifted the game. For months, Helena had placed a piece on the board right under their noses.Maya sat at the kitchen counter, her hands gripping a mug of tea. The warmth did little to chase away the chill spreading through her chest. “I can’t believe he’s been working for her all this time.”Reese placed a comforting hand on Maya’s shoulder. “We’ll handle him, Maya. He won’t get away with this.”Zane stepped forward, his silver eyes blazing with resolve. “He’s staying at the Arcadia Hotel. We’ll bring him in tonight. Alex, Camilla, you’re with me.”Maya’s green eyes widened. “Wait. What do you mean, bring him in? Are you going to hurt him?”Zane’s voice was cold. “Not unless he gives us a reason to.”---The SetupAt the Arcadia Hotel, Jeremy sat in his room, a glass of whiskey in hand as he stared at his laptop screen. The tension in his posture suggested he was waiting for
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The suite was quieter than usual, the team absorbing the gravity of Jeremy’s confession. Alex sat in the corner, cross-referencing the information Jeremy had given with Camilla’s data, while Reese paced near the window, her brows furrowed in thought.Maya sat on the couch, her legs curled beneath her, watching Zane. His silver eyes were focused as he reviewed the layout of the east-side warehouse, a plan forming in his mind.“You’re going after her, aren’t you?” Maya asked softly.Zane looked up, his expression softening when he met her gaze. “It’s the only way to stop this.”Maya’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I want to come with you.”“No,” Zane said immediately, his voice firm. “It’s too dangerous.”“You can’t keep shielding me from everything,” Maya said, her green eyes flashing. “This fight involves me, Zane. Helena’s targeting me because she thinks I’m your weakness. Let me prove her wrong.”Zane hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect her and the respect he had for h
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The air was lighter in the suite, the tension that had loomed over them for so long now dissipating. Maya found herself smiling more, even laughing at Reese’s jokes as they packed away the remnants of the dinner from the night before.Zane had left early for a meeting with his legal team, ensuring the aftermath of Helena’s fall was handled smoothly. Maya, however, decided to take the morning for herself, something she hadn’t done in what felt like forever.She stood on the balcony, sipping her tea as the city hummed below her. The crescent moon necklace Zane had given her rested against her collarbone, a constant reminder of how far they’d come.“You look deep in thought,” Reese said, stepping onto the balcony with her own cup of coffee.Maya smiled faintly. “I guess I am. For the first time in months, I’m thinking about the future instead of just surviving the present.”Reese nudged her playfully. “That’s a good thing, Maya. So, what’s the plan? You and Zane jetting off to some tropi
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Zane leaned against the kitchen counter for a moment after Maya’s hurried departure, his silver eyes following the path she’d taken. Her oversized shirt had done little to hide the curves of her body, and he couldn’t shake the memory of her wide, startled eyes and flushed cheeks. A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he reached for a glass of water.He glanced at his watch, reminding himself of the purpose of his visit. Time was ticking, and distractions—even charming ones—weren’t part of the plan. Refocusing his thoughts, he downed the water, set the glass in the sink, and strode back toward Charles’ office.Inside, Charles was just hanging up a call. The older man, ever the picture of control and precision, gestured for Zane to take a seat across from him.“Apologies for the interruption,” Charles said, adjusting his glasses. “Where were we?”“Discussing the terms of the acquisition,” Zane replied smoothly, sitting down. His posture was relaxed, his tailored suit flawless, but his min
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The suite was quieter than usual, the team absorbing the gravity of Jeremy’s confession. Alex sat in the corner, cross-referencing the information Jeremy had given with Camilla’s data, while Reese paced near the window, her brows furrowed in thought.Maya sat on the couch, her legs curled beneath her, watching Zane. His silver eyes were focused as he reviewed the layout of the east-side warehouse, a plan forming in his mind.“You’re going after her, aren’t you?” Maya asked softly.Zane looked up, his expression softening when he met her gaze. “It’s the only way to stop this.”Maya’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I want to come with you.”“No,” Zane said immediately, his voice firm. “It’s too dangerous.”“You can’t keep shielding me from everything,” Maya said, her green eyes flashing. “This fight involves me, Zane. Helena’s targeting me because she thinks I’m your weakness. Let me prove her wrong.”Zane hesitated, torn between his instinct to protect her and the respect he had for h
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The suite was thick with tension as Zane and Alex strategized their next move. The revelation about Jeremy had shifted the game. For months, Helena had placed a piece on the board right under their noses.Maya sat at the kitchen counter, her hands gripping a mug of tea. The warmth did little to chase away the chill spreading through her chest. “I can’t believe he’s been working for her all this time.”Reese placed a comforting hand on Maya’s shoulder. “We’ll handle him, Maya. He won’t get away with this.”Zane stepped forward, his silver eyes blazing with resolve. “He’s staying at the Arcadia Hotel. We’ll bring him in tonight. Alex, Camilla, you’re with me.”Maya’s green eyes widened. “Wait. What do you mean, bring him in? Are you going to hurt him?”Zane’s voice was cold. “Not unless he gives us a reason to.”---The SetupAt the Arcadia Hotel, Jeremy sat in his room, a glass of whiskey in hand as he stared at his laptop screen. The tension in his posture suggested he was waiting for
Bound by the Billionaire's Claim CHAPTER 89
The suite felt colder, the air heavy with the implications of what Camilla had uncovered. Maya sat on the couch, her thoughts racing as she tried to reconcile the man she once knew with the possibility that Jeremy could be working with Helena.Zane paced near the window, his silver eyes blazing as he issued orders. “Alex, I want every detail. Who he’s meeting, where he’s been, and why the hell he’s staying at one of Helena’s properties.”Alex nodded, already on his laptop. “I’ll have a report by morning.”Reese placed a comforting hand on Maya’s shoulder. “This could all be a coincidence,” she said gently. “We don’t know anything for sure yet.”“But what if it’s not?” Maya whispered, her voice trembling. “What if he’s part of her plan?”Zane stopped pacing, turning to Maya. His voice was steady, but his tone carried a razor edge. “If he is, he won’t get far. I promise you that.”---An Unwelcome VisitThe next morning, Maya sat in the kitchen nursing a cup of tea when a knock at the d
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The afternoon sun poured into the suite, casting long shadows on the walls. Despite the lingering tension of Helena’s looming threats, there was a rare lull in the chaos. Zane and Maya decided to take advantage of the moment, stepping out for a quiet walk in the nearby park, hoping for a semblance of normalcy amidst the storm.Maya held Zane’s arm as they strolled along the tree-lined paths, the soft rustle of leaves and the laughter of children providing a soothing backdrop. For the first time in weeks, she allowed herself to take a deep breath, savoring the tranquility.“Do you remember the last time we did something like this?” Maya asked, her voice light.Zane glanced down at her, his silver eyes softening. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”“It does,” Maya said with a faint smile. “But moments like this remind me why we’re fighting so hard. It’s not just about survival—it’s about living.”Zane nodded, his expression thoughtful. “And about building a future worth living for.”---An Une
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The suite was quiet in the aftermath of the day’s chaos. For the first time in what felt like weeks, the team allowed themselves a moment to breathe. The tension that had gripped them for so long began to ease, replaced by exhaustion and a faint glimmer of relief.Maya sat curled on the couch, her hand resting on her growing baby bump. Zane stood by the window, his silver eyes scanning the city skyline. Despite the success in defusing Helena’s latest attack, his mind was far from at ease.“Come sit,” Maya said softly, patting the cushion beside her.Zane hesitated for a moment before joining her, his posture still rigid. Maya reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his.“You don’t have to carry this alone, you know,” Maya said, her green eyes filled with quiet strength.Zane sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “It feels like I do. Every move Helena makes, every decision we make to counter her—it all comes back to me.”“And yet, we’re all here fighting with you,” Maya sai
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The suite erupted into chaos as Alex relayed the details of Helena’s latest move. The revelation of explosives planted at Moretti Corps headquarters sent a shockwave through the team.“How much time do we have?” Zane demanded, his silver eyes burning with fury.“Not long,” Alex replied, his fingers flying over his phone as he coordinated with the security team. “The operatives are already on-site, and we’ve got reports of suspicious activity in the basement. If we don’t act fast, the entire building could go up.”Zane clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he turned to the group. “We’re not losing the headquarters. Alex, get the bomb squad on the ground now. Reese, alert the authorities and coordinate an evacuation.”“And what about Helena?” Maya asked, her green eyes filled with worry.“She’s counting on us being distracted,” Zane said. “But we’re not letting her slip away.”---The Race to Save the HeadquartersThe team moved quickly, splitting into groups to handle the simultane
