Mag-log inMaya’s POVI knelt on the cold warehouse floor with Damien’s head resting in my lap, his blood soaked through my clothes and made my hands sticky, the sight of his swollen face and shallow breathing filled me with guilt and fear because he had risked everything to help me with those secret files. Elena arrived a few minutes later after my desperate call and we worked together to lift his heavy body carefully into the back of her car, the drive to the hidden clinic felt long and tense as I held his hand the whole way and kept whispering that everything would be okay.At the small private clinic the doctor worked quickly on his injuries while Elena and I waited in the narrow hallway, she stood beside me with her arms crossed and a serious look on her face, “He is stable for now, Maya,” she said quietly after the doctor gave us an update, “but he lost a lot of blood and he has broken ribs, this attack was meant to send a clear message. You need to slow down before you get hurt too.” I sh
Maya’s POVThe camera flashes still burned behind my eyes as I ran from the lobby of Mr. Havisham’s building, my legs moved fast through the night streets while my heart raced with panic, I pulled my coat tight around me but it did not hide the shame that now followed me everywhere. Annabelle’s smile and the reporters’ questions kept repeating in my head, by morning the damage was complete.I woke up to hundreds of notifications on my phone, the tabloids had my name everywhere, “Billionaire’s Secret Office Mistress Exposed,” one headline read, another said “Best Friend’s Father and Young Assistant Caught in Steamy Affair,” photos from the office, from the masked party, and from last night at the penthouse filled every site, my face looked clear in all of them. I sat on my bed with tears falling as I scrolled through the stories, people called me names, they said I was a gold digger, a whore who slept her way to money.“Chloe, I am so sorry,” I whispered to the empty room, I tried call
Maya’s POVThe elevator ride up to Mr. Havisham’s penthouse felt endless. My legs shook with every floor number that lit up. I held my bag tight against my chest. The small recorder inside stayed hidden and ready.I stepped out into the luxurious hallway. The door to his penthouse opened before I could knock. Mr. Havisham stood there in a dark robe. His eyes looked cold and hungry at the same time.“Come in, Maya,” he said in his low, smooth voice. “You took your time. I do not like waiting.”I walked inside. The big living room had soft lights and huge windows showing the city lights. My heart beat fast.“I came as soon as you called, sir,” I replied softly. “You said something about my sister. About saying goodbye properly.”Mr. Havisham closed the door and locked it. He walked closer. His hand touched my cheek.“Yes,” he answered. “Sarah was special. Just like you. But she made mistakes. She tried to leave me. Tonight I will show you what happens to girls who forget their place.”H
Maya’s POVI slipped into my apartment and locked the door behind me with shaking hands. The masked event felt like a bad dream now. My black dress still clung to my skin. The silver mask lay on the table. I did not care about any of that. I pulled out the USB and plugged it into my laptop. My heart beat so fast I could hear it in my ears. The room was dark except for the screen light. I sat on the edge of my bed and pressed play.The video started. Sarah appeared on the screen. My sister looked so real. Her dark curly hair spread across the pillow. Her warm brown skin looked pale and tired. She tried to sit up but Mr. Havisham pushed her back down. “You should have stayed quiet,” he said in that cold voice I knew too well. “The baby was a mistake. You became too greedy.”Sarah’s eyes filled with tears. “Please,” she begged. Her voice sounded weak and broken. “Let me go. Maya needs me. The baby… I changed my mind. I will disappear. No one will know.” Mr. Havisham laughed softly. It wa
Maya’s POVThe grand hall felt hotter now. Music played low around us while masked guests laughed and whispered. Julian pressed me harder against the wall in the dark corner. His fingers moved boldly under my dress. They touched me in ways that made my body react even as shame burned my cheeks. I moaned softly against his shoulder. People walked past and glanced at us. Some smiled behind their masks. The humiliation made my skin crawl.“Julian, please,” I whispered. My voice trembled. “Not here where everyone can see. This is too much.” He kissed my neck harder. His breath felt hot on my skin. “This is the game, Maya,” he replied. “Let them watch. It makes you look like mine. The man in the gold mask is still watching you. Get more from him after this.” His fingers pushed deeper. Pleasure mixed with embarrassment. I gripped his shoulders tight. “You are using me like Mr. Havisham does,” I said between gasps. “I hate this feeling.”Julian pulled back slightly. His eyes looked dark behi
Maya’s POVI stood there in my small apartment with my arms crossed tight over my chest. Liam’s words about reporting on Sarah still hung in the air like heavy smoke. My heart felt torn between the man in front of me and the memory of my sister. He looked at me with those sharp eyes full of regret. I wanted to believe him but doubt kept whispering in my head.“Liam, you reported on her,” I said slowly. “You watched my sister and told them where she was. How can I forgive that so easily?” Liam took one step closer but stopped when I did not move. “I know it sounds bad, Maya,” he replied gently. “It was early in my mission. I thought I was doing the right thing by gathering information. I did not understand how dangerous Mr. Havisham was back then. After I saw what happened, I tried to help her. I swear I did.”I wiped fresh tears from my warm brown skin. The pain from Chloe cutting contact still burned inside me. Now this. “I want to trust you,” I whispered. “You held me through my bre
Maya’s POVMorning light came through my small window too soon. I forced my eyes open after a night of broken sleep. My hand still hurt from the glass. Liam had left early with promises to check on the children. I stood up slow and looked at myself in the cracked mirror. My warm brown skin looked p
Maya’s POVI left the office with heavy legs that night. The streets blurred under street lights as I walked home. My phone felt like fire in my pocket after that video. Chloe’s hurt face kept flashing in my mind. I pushed open my apartment door and stepped inside. The small space felt too quiet. T
Maya’s POV I stood in the middle of the dark room. The fake Sarah pointed her gun at Liam. Why does my life stay full of pain and touches from strangers? I just want peace with the people I love. Liam looked at me with strong eyes. “Maya do not listen to her. She is not your sister.” The fake Sa
Maya’s POVThe car raced through the dark streets. Liam kept one hand on the wheel and the other near his phone. My fingers still gripped the screen with Julian’s message. The photo of the sleeping children made my chest tight. We had to get back fast.“We are almost there,” Liam said. His voice st







