Chapter 98: The Justice He Delivered in My Name-1
The air in the dining hall felt impossibly dense, each second stretching longer than the last. Damien’s muscles remained coiled, his fists clenched, as if the slightest wrong move could ignite the storm he carried inside.
Then a soft voice cut through the thick tension.
“You won’t.”
Damien’s head snapped up.
Maya stood in the doorway, Harper beside her. Her eyes were still a little red, cheeks flushed from the wind and the walk along the beach-but the way she looked at him, soft, steady, and certain, stole the breath from his lungs.
“Maya…” His voice came out rough, barely more than a whisper.
She took a small step into the room, gaze locked on his. “Can we talk?”
Damien nodded-immediately, instinctively.
Her eyes drifted to the others, resolve hardening in her expression. “All of us,” she added.
A brief silence followed. Ashcroft’s brows lifted in surprise, then he gave a respectful nod. James and Lee exchanged a quick glance, straightening as if bracing for what was coming.
Harper stepped forward, gently squeezing Maya’s shoulder before moving to stand beside Ashcroft.
Damien didn’t take his eyes off her. His expression softened, but beneath it was something guarded, painfully raw-as though he wasn’t sure whether to step forward or fall to his knees.
His chest tightened, every heartbeat echoing with the fear of losing her, of failing her, of letting the shadows of his world seep into hers.
“Of course… let’s go to my room. It’s more private,” he said quietly, the words carrying both reassurance and restraint.
Maya nodded. Damien stepped forward, leading the way. Each step felt weighted, time stretching unnaturally. The world outside-the others, the staff, even Ashcroft and Harper- seemed to fade into a distant blur.
When he reached her, he paused, searching her eyes. “Maya… I’m-”
She offered a gentle, reassuring smile. “I’ll listen.”
113
& lepter 12 Hux till Og Selered on My Name 1
Claim She reached for his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. The warmth of her touch anchored him, steadying the storm inside, if only for a moment. Together, they walked out of the dining hall, the tension lingering, the weight of unspoken truths pressing silently between them.
The walk to his room felt like a lifetime. Neither of them spoke; the silence was heavy, charged with unspoken words, lingering questions, and the weight of everything they were about to confront.
Maya’s hand in his felt steady, warm, grounding, yet it also reminded him of what was at stake.
The moment they reached his door, Damien’s fingers hovered over the knob, pausing just a second too long. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind: the secrets, the darkness, the truths he had kept buried.
He drew in a slow breath, the scent of her close enough to make his chest tighten, his gaze searching hers for trust and resolve.
Damien’s throat tightened. “Maya… what if-what if the truth…” His voice faltered, thick with unspoken weight, “…scares you?” he whispered.
Maya’s eyes held his without waver. “I’m ready,” she said simply. “I need to understand you… a ll of you. I won’t run. I promise.”
That was all he needed. With a final squeeze of her hand, Damien turned the knob, stepping aside to let her enter first.
Maya stepped inside, Damien close at her side. The others followed silently, James bringing up the rear. As he crossed the threshold, he gently closed the door behind them. The crisp click of the lock echoed, and the soft hum of the outside world seemed to vanish completely.
Inside, the air felt heavier, charged with raw emotion, as if the room itself held its breath- waiting for a conversation that could change everything.
Everyone found their space. Ashcroft and Harper settled on the couch, calm but alert. James and Lee stood behind them, eyes scanning.
Maya went straight to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the horizon. Damien hovered just behind her, the tension radiating from him palpable.
No one spoke. The room held only the quiet hum of anticipation.
“Maya…” he murmured, low and vulnerable.
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.