The cabana fell silent. The sea breeze that had once felt warm now cut like ice.
Damien’s head snapped toward James, his jaw ticking. “Why?” His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of a storm waiting to break.
James shifted, his expression uneasy, “I only managed to reach her assistant. Madam arrived yesterday, and late last night she received a new lead-something she says can’t wait. When word reached her that you weren’t heading back today, she insisted on flying out to see you in person. And… it seems word of the conflict with the Volkovs has reached her as well. She wants to speak with you directly. She’s already in the air, on her way here.”
Maya’s pulse stuttered. Madam? Did he mean… his mother? She was coming here?
Ashcroft let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair. “Well, that explains the sudden tension in the air.”
Damien’s eyes cut to him, sharp as blades. “Not a word, Nick.”
Ashcroft raised his palms in mock surrender, though his smirk said otherwise. Harper rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Drama never takes a day off with you people.”
Yet beneath her calm exterior, Harper was panicking. Wheels in her head spun rapidly, searching for a way out of this situation. She had already made a reckless mistake last night -alcohol mixed with her weakness had led her into bed with Nicholas Ashcroft-and the last thing she needed now was another “bomb” dropping that would make her situation even more precarious. It would only make her situation worse… more awkward, more complicated.
She forced her smile a little wider, straightened her posture, and reminded herself to stay composed, even as her heart raced.
Maya’s chest tightened. She had never met Damien’s mother, but from the way he spoke of her-stronger than his father, decisive, impossible to sway-she wasn’t just a parent, she was power embodied. The Madam’s word was law behind closed doors, and even Damien, ruthless and unyielding with everyone else, spoke of her with something rare: respect laced with love. For all her steel, she was the one person who could still reach him, soften him, and that made her all the more intimidating in Maya’s eyes.
But it wasn’t just the thought of meeting her that made Maya’s stomach knot. James’s words echoed-a new lead. Her pulse stumbled. A lead… did that mean Madam had finally found her old friend? The one with the daughter. The woman Damien’s mother had always hoped he’d end up with.
1/2
mmat paharetaal
The insecurity crept in like poison, unbidden and sharp. What if Madam arrived, not just to see Damien, but to push him closer to that girl? What if she looked at Maya-scarred, complicated, too ordinary-and decided she wasn’t good enough?
Jealousy twisted inside her chest, ugly and uninvited. She hated that it even crossed her mind, but she couldn’t shake it. Damien had chosen her, promised her. Yet the thought of another woman, perfectly molded to Madam’s expectations, gnawed at her until her throat felt tight.
Damien’s hand brushed hers, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “Love,” he murmured, his gaze sharp on her face, “what’s wrong? You went pale just now.”
Maya blinked quickly, forcing a small smile she didn’t feel. “I’m fine,” she whispered, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
Before Damien could press further, Harper leaned across the table, plucking a slice of watermelon from the fruit platter and popping it into her mouth in one bite. Mischief sparkled in her eyes. “Ohhh, I get it now.” She smirked, pointing her fork at Maya. “You’re nervous, aren’t you? Worried about meeting your future mother-in-law?”
Maya’s cheeks flamed. “Harper!” she hissed, mortified, but her friend only laughed, clearly savoring her discomfort.
Perfect, Harper thought, a grin tugging at her lips. Finally, an excuse to hide out a little longer. She pushed the thought aside, letting it fuel her teasing.
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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.