LOGINMaya’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 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 POVChloe stood frozen at the office door. Her eyes moved from me to Mr. Havisham’s hand still resting on my thigh under the desk. I quickly pulled my dress down and stood up straight. My face burned with shame. Mr. Havisham leaned back in his chair with that calm, amused look on his face.“Chloe, sweetheart,” he said smoothly. “This is not a good time. Maya and I were discussing work matters.”Chloe’s hands shook at her sides. Tears filled her eyes fast. “Work matters?” she repeated. Her voice cracked with pain. “I saw your hand on her again, Dad. Under the desk. After everything I told you yesterday. Maya, how could you let this continue? I thought you were fighting. I thought you were sorry.”I stepped toward her with my hands open. “Chloe, please listen,” I begged. “It is complicated. Mr. Havisham promised protection for the children if I obey. The council wants to take them away. I am doing this for them. For Sarah’s kids. I hate it but I have no choice right now.”She sho
Maya’s POVThe news from Elena hit me like a heavy stone in my chest. I sat on my small bed early the next morning with my phone pressed to my ear. Tears already filled my eyes as I listened to her explain the situation again. The children. Sarah’s children. They were the only real family I had left and now the Cross family council wanted to take them away.“Elena, please tell me there is something we can do,” I said with a shaking voice. “I cannot lose them. They are all I have from Sarah. I promised to protect them.”Elena’s voice came through steady but worried. “I am working on an emergency filing, Maya,” she replied. “We have a hearing in two days. You need to show you are stable. The scandals are hurting your case. Victoria is pushing hard with evidence of your connection to Mr. Havisham. You must be careful at the office today.”I wiped my tears and stood up. “I will try,” I answered. “But I have to go back to work. He will get suspicious if I stay away. Thank you for fighting
Maya’s POVThe days after the bug felt heavier. I woke up early and dressed carefully for work. A fitted black dress this time. Not too short but enough to catch eyes. Mr. Havisham liked when I looked professional yet tempting. I arrived at the office before him and started on the emails. My hands moved fast but my mind stayed sharp. The scandal still whispered around me. People looked at me differently now. I used that to my advantage.Mr. Havisham walked in at nine sharp. He closed the door and gave me that familiar cold smile. “Good morning, Maya,” he said. “You look ready for the day. Come here for a moment.” I stood up and walked to his desk. He pulled me onto his lap without warning. His hand rested on my thigh under the dress. “You have been distracted lately,” he added. “I need your full attention. Schedule the board meeting for tomorrow and prepare the reports.”“Yes, sir,” I replied softly. I shifted on his lap. My body pressed against him just enough. “I will do everything
Maya’s POVI held the tiny black device in my palm. The small blinking light made my stomach twist with fear. Liam stared at it too. His face changed from soft after our passionate moment to hard and alert. We stood in the quiet lounge. My clothes still felt messy from what we just did.“What is that?” Liam asked. His voice came out low and worried. “Maya, where did you find it?”I showed him the small tracker again. “It fell from under my collar,” I replied. “Someone put it on me. Maybe Julian during the kiss. Or earlier in the office. I feel sick, Liam. Someone is always watching me.”Liam took the device carefully. He turned it over in his fingers. “This is professional,” he said. “High quality. We need to destroy it but not here. They might have backup signals.” He crushed it under his shoe. The plastic cracked. The light went dead. “There. It is gone now. But you are right. Someone is always watching. We must be more careful from now on.”I nodded slowly. My
Maya’s POVThe loud knocking on my door made me jump. Liam’s voice sounded shocked and hurt. “Maya! Open the door right now! What the hell is this video? Who are those men?”I sat on the floor shaking. Tears ran down my warm brown skin. I sent the video like the blackmailers wanted. Now Liam saw ev
Maya’s POVLiam looked deep into my eyes on the balcony. The night wind blew softly between us. My heart felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest. I still held him tight from the hug. His warm body felt so safe but I knew I could not tell him everything.“Maya,” he said quietly. “You were about
Maya’s POVMy phone screen glowed bright in the dark hallway. Five minutes. The message said I had only five minutes to delete everything or Liam would see the terrible video from the warehouse. My hand shook so bad I almost dropped the phone. Liam stood right in front of me waiting for answers.“M
Maya’s POVOne man held my arm tight while the second person stood right behind me. I could hear him breathing. My heart beat so loud it hurt my ears. What do they want now? I already gave them what they asked for.The first man spoke close to my ear. “Good girl for coming. Now stay quiet and liste







