Chapter 83: Almost Brave-1
Back to the Garden
Laughter drifted faintly through the garden-soft, fractured, edged with tears.
Claim
Maya pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to smother the shaky laugh that had slipped out. Not from humor, but from being cracked open-raw, exposed, overwhelmed.
“You really are something else,” she whispered, shaking her head at Harper. “I envy you… I wish I had your boldness, your courage, and that whole ‘I don’t give a damn’ attitude.”
Harper tilted her head. “Maya, why the hell should I live my life worrying about what people think-if the cost is bottling up who I really am? No thanks. I don’t give a fuck. Not because I’m wild, but because I’ve learned the hard way-playing small for others just makes you disappear.”
She leaned in, voice low but fierce, and the garden around them-quiet, moonlit, humming with night sounds-seemed to hold its breath.
“You’ve just lived your life too long playing it safe, babe. So safe that somewhere along the way, you tucked that fierce version of you in a locked drawer and forgot where you left the damn key. But she’s still in there. And it’s time to let her out.”
Harper straightened and gave Maya a pointed look. “I mean… seriously. Remember who your boyfriend is. Damien freaking Blackwood. You think the world won’t notice? You stay stuck in this sweet, goody two-shoes role too long, and trust me-someone bold might come along and try to steal him.”
She smirked, eyes gleaming. “And I’ll be the first to slap some sense into you if you let that happen.”
“So yeah, be scared if you have to. That’s normal. But don’t be a damn coward. Don’t let fear take the wheel while your heart’s stuck in the backseat. Not when you’ve got a man who’d move heaven and hell for you.”
She leaned in with a wicked grin. “So either grow your claws or hand me the keys-because! swear, I’ll gift-wrap that man and hand-deliver him to one of those silicone-stuffed Barbies in our department. Or better yet, I’ll auction him online. Pretty sure half the women on the internet would fight to the death and pay a fortune for him!”
Harper leaned in, softer now. “Just open your eyes, your ears, and that stubborn little heart of yours. Listen to what people around you-people who know him-are saying. You notice anyt hing in common?”
1/2
Chapter 83, Almost Brave-1
Maya swallowed. “He never let anyone in… until me.”
Clam
Her voice was barely audible, but the weight of the words hung in the air like a secret finally spoken.
Harper’s expression softened, the teasing gleam in her eyes giving way to something deeper. “Exactly. And that’s not nothing, Maya. That’s everything.”
She touched Maya’s arm gently, her voice softening.
“You didn’t just walk into his life-you cracked it wide open. So yeah, it’s fast. It’s messy. It’s terrifying. But love doesn’t follow rules or timelines. It just… is. And when it finds you, you either fight for it-or spend the rest of your life wondering what would’ve happened if you had.
27
Harper leaned in a little closer, her tone low and certain.
“Every time you feel like running, remind yourself why you took the risk. Take the leap, and one of two things happens-it’s either worth it, or it teaches you what you needed to learn. Either way, it’s not wrong. It’s brave. And that makes it worth it.”
She offered a quiet smile.
“Because at the end of the day, you’ll know one thing for sure… you tried. And that’s always better than wondering what if.”
Maya turned her gaze back to Damien’s suite. The soft glow from the balcony spilled out like a quiet invitation-steady, warm, and waiting.
She didn’t know what she was going to say. Or if she even had the right words.
But she knew one thing-she had to try.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.