hapter 95: Tides of Fear-2
Harper jogged the last few steps and reached her, gently grabbing her wrist.
“Hey… hey, look at me.”
Maya drew in a ragged breath and finally turned. Her eyes were glossy and red, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry…”
Harper’s expression softened further. “Stop apologizing.”
“But I-” Maya’s voice broke as she gestured back toward the dining hall. “Ethan’s gone and the shoot is ruined and everyone worked so hard and-”
“And none of that is your fault.” Harper cut her off gently but firmly. “He caused it. He crossed the line. You reacted like any sane person would. Honestly, I would’ve punched him long before Damien did.”
A tiny, breathless laugh escaped Maya-half disbelief, half relief. She swiped at her eyes again.
“You didn’t ruin anything, Maya. You stood up for yourself. And if anyone in there has a problem with that? Then they’re the problem, not you.”
Maya’s shoulders trembled, the fight slowly ebbing out of her body. “I just… I hate that I dragged all of you into it.”
“You didn’t drag us into anything,” Harper said, giving her hand a squeeze. “Didn’t you hear what Trina said? You actually did us all a favor.”
Maya blinked, still trying to steady her breathing. “What do you mean?”
Harper let out a long sigh, rolling her eyes slightly. “Ugh… okay, fine-I’ll tell you.” She lowered her voice. “We had a meeting. A secret one. And I say secret because you weren’t there.”
Maya’s brows knitted. “A secret-?”
“Yeah. Look… Ethan showing up like that? It was shady as hell and everyone felt it. Turns out there’s more to it-but we weren’t given the full details. Boss just ordered Trina to get rid of him-quietly. Legally cut ties, make sure it’s solid and in our favor.” She gave Maya a pointed look. “We were never planning to actually use any of the materials with him in it.”
Maya stared. “What?”
Harper nodded quickly, talking faster now. “All of this-the shoots, the photos? It was all just
7/3
Claim
for show so he wouldn’t suspect anything. And you were kept in the dark because… well-he knows you. If you knew it was fake, there was a risk you’d give it away.”
Maya’s lips parted in disbelief.
“The real shot list for the launch?” Harper continued. “Only includes the venue and the staff. No ‘third person, no fake ambassador, none of that. The boss already made that call days ago.”
Maya blinked, stunned. “I… I had no idea.”
Harper’s expression softened again. “Exactly. That’s why you shouldn’t feel guilty.” She nudged Maya gently. “Like Trina said-you actually did us all a favor. You just… accelerated what we were already trying to do. And now that he’s gone? You’ve basically given us all another full day off!”
Maya blinked, taking a shaky breath. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted, voice quivering.
She rubbed at her temples, trying to force clarity, but it was useless. Her chest felt tight, and exhaustion pressed down on her like a heavy weight. “I don’t even know what I’m feeling anymore… relief, guilt, fear… all at once. It’s too much.”
She met Harper’s eyes. “I need space… I need some air. I’m… completely overwhelmed-my thoughts, my emotions… everything’s all over the place right now. I can’t even think straight.”
Harper gave her a soft, understanding nod. “Okay. Take all the time you need. Let’s step outside for a bit-just breathe. No one’s rushing you.”
Maya’s eyes filled again, but this time with something gentler. “Thank you.”
She gently guided Maya toward the exit, walking at her pace, careful not to crowd her. Once outside, the morning heat and ocean breeze hit her face, a sharp contrast to the tension inside, and she took a shuddering breath, letting it out slowly.
Harper stayed close, silent but grounding. “You don’t have to process everything at once,” she said softly. “Right now, just focus on this-breathing, feeling the air. Everything else can wait a moment.”
Maya’s shoulders trembled as she nodded, letting the tension begin to seep out of her body. Her feet carried them almost instinctively, drifting toward the shoreline, each step sinking softly into the sand.
The sand was warm beneath their feet, the grains shifting and slipping as they walked. A gentle wave rolled in, lapping at their ankles, sending a refreshing, grounding jolt through her senses. Maya let her gaze wander to the horizon, the endless stretch of water and sky
2/3
Chapter is fides of Fear 2
offering a strange kind of clarity amidst the whirlwind in her mind.
Claim
Harper followed silently, giving Maya the space she clearly needed, her presence steady and unintrusive. The only sounds were the rhythmic crash of the waves and the soft whisper of the breeze-a lull that began to untangle the knots of panic and exhaustion inside Maya.
Maya’s voice trembled as she spoke, barely above a whisper. “Harper… I’m scared.”
Harper glanced at her, steady and calm. “About what?”
Maya swallowed hard, words tumbling out in a rush. “About what Ethan said before he left… about Dr. Beckett. The way he said it… it felt dark, eerie. It’s bothering me. I have so many questions. He told me to ask Damien about Dr. Beckett, but… how did he even know about him? What does Damien have to do with it?”
Her steps slowed as memories pressed in. “I remembered back on the yacht-Nick told me it was them who came to rescue me. It was Damien who carried me out of that place. And at the hospital, when I asked James about Dr. Beckett, all he said was… ‘Everything’s been taken care of. You don’t have to worry.’ And Damien… he said the same. That he could guarantee Dr. Beckett would never bother me again.”
Her voice wavered, almost breaking. “I… I’m confused. Did he…? And what does Ethan mean when he said Damien has blood on his hands and shadows at his back? I don’t… I don’t understand. I want to ask Damien, but I’m scared. I’m worried… I…”
Her words faltered, and the waves lapped gently at her feet, almost echoing the turmoil she felt inside.
Comments
LUCK DRAW >
Vote
533
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.