Chapter 83: Almost Brave-2
She drew in a breath, hands pressing against the bench as she started to rise-
And then the light went out.
Just like that, the invitation vanished.
And her heart dropped with it.
The balcony light-gone.
Like a door quietly closing in her face.
Her breath caught. Her heart, already bracing for impact, stumbled in her chest.
Was he… done for the night?
Had she waited too long?
A cold knot curled in her stomach.
Stupid. Stupid for hesitating. For letting fear chew up all the minutes she could’ve used to fix this.
Harper noticed the shift in her expression. “Hey-don’t spiral,” she said gently. “It’s just a light. Doesn’t mean he’s gone. Maybe he just stepped inside.”
But Maya barely heard her. Her mind was already racing-picturing Damien alone in that dark. suite, wounded and closed off again… because of her.
Beside her, Harper checked the time on her phone. “Oh, shit-it’s past midnight? We’ve been out here that long?”
Maya gave a small, dazed nod.
“No wonder I’m suddenly freezing my t**s off,” Harper muttered, then softened as she glanced back at her. “Look, how about we call it a night and get some rest? We’ve got an early call time tomorrow.”
She nudged Maya gently. “I’m sure you’ll see him at breakfast. Pull him aside. Talk it out then. It’ll be okay. Besides…” She shrugged. “Maybe a little pause is good. Gives you both space to breathe. To take it all in. Yeah?”
Maya hesitated, heart torn, eyes flicking once more toward Damien’s darkened suite.
1/3
< Chapter 83: Almost Brave 2
Claim
But after a beat, she nodded-slowly, reluctantly, heart still rooted to the balcony behind her.
They walked back to their room in silence, the night thick around them. At their door, Harper gave her arm a squeeze and disappeared inside. But Maya lingered.
She stood quietly in the hallway, eyes locked on Damien’s door. The warmth from earlier still clung faintly to the walls.
Part of her wanted to knock.
But another part-heavier, more cautious-told her to give him space.
Eventually, she slipped inside-but sleep didn’t come easy. She lay awake for hours, tossing in tangled sheets, eyes on the ceiling, her heart caught somewhere between regret and resolve.
Tomorrow.
She would find him tomorrow.
She reached for her journal and opened it to a blank page. The words came in waves, raw and unfiltered, as she poured her heart out. Everything she couldn’t say to Damien tonight, she scribbled here-fears, longings, what-ifs, and truths too tender to speak aloud.
It didn’t fix the ache.
But it helped her breathe.
Eventually, her pen slowed, the ink trailing off mid-sentence. Her lids grew heavy, lashes fluttering as sleep finally began to creep in at the edges-
ВЕЕР. ВЕЕР. ВЕЕР.
Her alarm shattered the silence.
Maya groaned and slapped at her phone until the sound stopped. A hollow kind of exhaustion pressed against her skull. She hadn’t really slept. Not fully. Her body had lain still, but her mind had run miles.
She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, heart already sinking with the weight of what the morning might bring.
But today wasn’t about hiding.
Today… she would find him. And fix what she broke.
She got up, took a quick shower, and got dressed.
Chapter 83 Almost Brave 2
Claim
When she caught her reflection in the mirror, she winced-exhausted eyes, dark circles she couldn’t fully conceal, no matter how much concealer she dabbed on.
She stared at herself, then inhaled deeply, grounding her trembling nerves.
“Don’t be a coward, Maya,” she whispered to her reflection. “You can do this. Talk to him. Be honest. Tell him what you really feel. No more pushing him away. No more hiding. Fight for it. Fight for him. You’ve got this.”
She stepped out of her room and paused, her eyes drifting to the door across the hall. Damien’s suite was still and quiet. No sign of movement. No footsteps. No light beneath the door.
Her heart squeezed.
Maya lingered a moment longer, as if maybe-just maybe he’d open it. But nothing.
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
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.