The words lingered in the air, thick and immovable, like smoke that refused to clear. Maya’s chest rose and fell in uneven breaths, her body frozen in the chair, her mind torn between everything she already knew and everything she had just learned.
He had shown her pieces of this world-his control, his silence, his shadows-but this….
This was the truth. His truth. A part of it, because she knew there was still more to learn, more to understand.
And it was darker than she ever imagined.
claim
While Maya tried to absorb it all, Damien stood at the edge-exposed in a way he had never allowed himself to be. He was giving her his truth, and so far she hadn’t run. Not yet. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t once she discovered how deep his world went.
The room remained heavy and silent, every breath weighted, everyone else simply observing.
Except Harper.
Her voice sliced through the tension.
“I knew it!”
Every head snapped in her direction.
She blinked at the sudden attention, then grinned-broad and unrepentant, like she had just uncovered treasure.
“I knew it! That ‘Welfare Check’ excuse was pure bullshit. Ha! I told you, Maya! The boss has had a thing for you since the day you stepped foot in that place. And you didn’t believe me!” The air felt lighter, as if everyone had released a breath they hadn’t realized they were holding. Harper, never one to let silence last too long, clapped her hands once and leaned forward.
“I must say… that was a smooth story! Love it. Love the plot twist!”
Her eyes gleamed with mischief as she swiveled toward Damien.
“Hey, boss! If I may… I believe Mr. Horton deserves a raise. He was a damn good actor-so calm, so nonchalant. He sold it!”
She lowered her voice, dropping into a pitch-perfect imitation of James:
1/3
Chaim
Chapter 11 Siropone Iplu His Truly i
“Keep trying her phone. If she comes in, or calls back, inform me immediately. I’ll let security know to flag her ID the second she badges in, or tries to enter the building. No need to escalate until we’re sure.””
She threw her head back dramatically, then jabbed a finger in James’s direction. “And then-you went straight to the big boss to report! Bah! That’s a good one!” Laughter bubbled from her chest, the kind that broke tension without asking permission.
Maya’s cheeks burned, heat creeping up her skin before she could stop it. Harper’s words replayed in her head-the boss has had a thing for you since day one-and her body betrayed her, flushing red under the weight of all those eyes.
Maya’s blushing didn’t escape Harper’s sharp eyes. She pointed with a victorious grin.
“What did I tell you? That’s not just a welfare check-that’s a full-blown code red with a side of ‘Where’s my girl?’ energy. And I was right! Ha! Okay… now pay up!”
Maya blinked, still flustered.
“What are you talking about?”
Harper paused, her mouth falling open in exaggerated regret.
“Oh, darn! I should’ve made a bet with you back then!” She snapped her fingers dramatically. ”
But hey-doesn’t matter. I was still right. You were in full denial, kept going ‘That’s not true,
that’s not true,’ over and over. So annoying.” She rolled her eyes for emphasis.
Then, as if suddenly remembering, she gasped.
“Oh! Did you tell the boss what my buddy Jamie said that day?”
Maya’s eyes widened, silently pleading with her to shut up, but of course Harper barreled on.
“What? You didn’t? Oh, Maya… why are you so shy?”
Harper turned back to Damien, her grin widening.
“By the way, boss-my buddy Jamie likes you too. He even told Maya not to hold herself back. So there you go! You’ve got the brother’s approval. Not that you were even thinking about it-obviously your attention was already glued to my girl here-but hey… still good to have in your back pocket.”
2/3
Turple 1941 Siap Tarth 7
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.