Chapter 5 Sparks and murk

Chapter 5 Sparks and murk

The room was a sea of spangling gowns and acclimatized suits, the soft hum of polite chatter mingling with the delicate clink of champagne glasses. also, without warning, Ethan's voice cut through the crowd like a blade.

" What exactly are you playing at, Maya?" The anger dropped from his words, loud enough to draw stares from every corner of the room.

Maya set, her glass pulsing in her hand. She turned sluggishly, her eyes locking with Ethan’s. He was standing — actually standing — without his cane. The moment should have been triumphant, but his expression made her heart sink.

“I’m not playing at anything,” she said, keeping her voice low, though the tremor in it betrayed her nerves. “Why would you suppose that?”

Ethan took a step closer, his jaw gripped so tightly it looked like it might crack. “Don’t act innocent. I saw you with Thomas. What were you talking about?”

“Thomas?” Maya blinked, caught off guard. “He approached me. I didn’t seek him out.”

“Accessible,” Ethan shot back, his tone smelling. “You two looked enough cozy. Planning my downfall together?”

Maya's patience snapped. She put her glass on a passing waiter's tray and squared her shoulders." Do you hear yourself right now? Planning your downfall? Really? All I have done since I got them try to help you."

“Help me?” He let out a bitter laugh, the sound grating against her ears. “Is that what you call it? poking around my house, questioning my every move, and now cozying up to my enemies?”

“I’m not poking, Ethan,” she said, her voice shaking with suppressed anger. “And if you’d stop shutting me out for five seconds, perhaps you’d realize I’m the only one who’s actually on your side!”

People around them had stopped pretending they were minding their own affairs. Whispers circulated like a bush fire in the room. The burning sensation on Maya's face couldn't let her back down.

" I do not need you on my side," Ethan said coldly." In fact, I do not need you at all."

The words hit her like a slap, but Maya refused to let him see the hurt. “Fine,” she said, her tone clipped. However, perhaps I should leave, “If that’s how you feel. But before I do, answer me this why do you automatically assume the worst of me? What did I ever do to make you suppose I’m your enemy?”

Ethan opened his mouth, also closed it again, his gaze fluttering with something she couldn’t relatively place.

“Cat got your tongue?” she pressed.

“Because everyone betrays me!” he eventually exploded, his voice raw and broken. “Everyone I’ve ever trusted has turned on me. Amelia, my family, indeed my so- called friends. Why should you be any different?”

Maya’s anger dissolved in an instant, replaced by a wave of empathy so strong it nearly knocked her over. “Ethan”

“Don’t,” he said, holding up a hand to stop her. “Don’t say you’re different. I can’t go to believe that.”

She took a conservative step toward him, her voice soft but firm. “You don’t have to go it. I’m not asking for your trust, Ethan. I’m asking for a chance to earn it.”

He goggled at her, his eyes filled with a storm of emotions. For a moment, it sounded like he might say something, but rather, he closed the distance between them in a single stride. Before she could reply, his lips crashed against hers.

The kiss was rough, hopeless, and hugely unanticipated. Maya’s heart pounded in her chest as she stood frozen, too stupefied to respond.

Just as snappily as it started, it ended. Ethan pulled back, his expression a mixture of shock and remorse.

“I —” he began, but the words wouldn’t come. rather, he turned on his heel and walked down, leaving her standing there, breathless and confused.

The ride back to the mansion was silent, the air between them thick with implied words. Maya stole glances at Ethan, but his gaze was fixed forcefully out the window.

When they arrived, he didn’t stay for her. He stormed outside, his movements unsteady but determined.

“Ethan, stay,” Maya called, following him down the hallway.

He spun around to face her, his eyes blazing. “What do you want from me, Maya? An apology? Is that it?”

“No,” she said, her voice calm despite the chaos in her chest. “I want the verity. About Amelia, about your family, about everything. How can I help you if I don’t know what’s really going on?”

Ethan chortled humourlessly." You suppose knowing the truth will help? Okay. You want the truth? Amelia did not leave me. She did worse. She fucked Thomas. When I told her she was done in that department, she turned around and told me that I was pathetic. That I was nothing without the money of my family."

Maya's heart went out to his pain, but she stayed silent, watching him continue.

“And my family?” he said, his voice rising. “They’re no more. Do you know what they did after my accident? They started making plans to replace me. As if I was formerly dead. As if I didn’t matter.”

He took a step closer, his eyes boring into hers. “So, forgive me if I’m a little cautious of people who claim they want to help me. Experience has tutored me that everyone has an agenda.”

Maya swallowed hard, her mind racing. “Ethan, I don’t have an agenda. I’m just trying to —”

“To what?” he intruded. “Save me? Fix me? Don’t waste your time, Maya. I’m beyond saving.”

“No, you’re not,” she said fiercely. “You’re just spooked. spooked of being hurt again. But shutting everyone out isn’t the answer. It’s only going to make things worse.”

He goggled at her, his expression undecipherable. For a moment, she allowed he might argue, but rather, he turned and walked down, fading into his study.

latterly that night, as Maya wandered through the quiet halls, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was out. She dithered outside Ethan’s study, mooting whether to check on him, but decided against it. He demanded space, and she demanded answers.

Her chance came sooner than anticipated. While tidying up the study before, she’d noticed a stack of papers shoved aimlessly into a drawer. Now, in the stillness of the night, she couldn’t repel the urge to probe.

The papers were worse than she had anticipated. Medical records, insurance statements, and indeed letters between Ethan's mama and a private detective, all concluded one terrible point. Ethan's accident wasn't an accident after all. Someone had poked with his car, and the family had hidden the truth.

Maya's blood ran cold as she began making the evidence together. Who could be this cruel? And why?

Her thoughts were intruded by an unforeseen noise — a crash from Ethan’s room. Heart pounding, she rushed down the hall and pushed the door open.

The sight that saluted her made her stomach drop. The room was in shambles, the furniture capsized and papers scattered far and wide. On the desk, a single piece of paper caught her eye.

Her hands shook as she picked it up. The note was scribbled in messy, nearly frantic handwriting

“Leave him while you can. Coming time, it won’t just be a warning.”

Maya’s breath hitched, her mind contending with questions and fears. Who had done this? And how far were they willing to go?