Chapter 126: An Unseen Connection-1
Inside the suite, the room fell into silence at the soft knock. Conversation stopped mid-breath. Damien’s gaze flicked toward the door, his tone quiet but certain.
“That must be her.”
Across the room, Dahlia exhaled slowly. She straightened in her seat, posture flawless, though the faint crease in her brow lingered. Her hand reached for the delicate porcelain cup resting on the table. She lifted it with unhurried grace and brought it to her lips, eyes drifting toward the floor-to-ceiling windows as though the horizon could answer the questions still circling her mind-questions about her friend, about the past she could never quite put to
rest.
Damien crossed the room and opened the door. Standing there was Maya, hesitant and wide-eyed, nerves thrumming through her frame.
“Hi,” she managed, her voice soft but trembling at the edges.
Damien’s expression softened, a smile tugging gently at his mouth. “Hi, love.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, grounding her instantly. Then, with the quiet steadiness of command, he murmured, “Come in.”
She stepped over the threshold, the faint scent of lavender following her. The moment her eyes adjusted to the suite, she noticed Dahlia’s figure seated by the glass windows, elegant and commanding even from behind. Maya’s pulse spiked, her palms damp. Every step felt heavy as Damien’s hand settled at her lower back, guiding her forward with calm assurance. They reached the living area, and Damien stopped just short of where his mother sat. His voice, steady and deliberate, filled the quiet.
“Mother, I’d like you to meet Maya.”
He turned slightly, his gaze softening as it fell on her. “Love, this is my mother.”
Maya’s throat tightened, but she drew in a breath, willing her voice to remain steady. She bowed her head slightly in respect. “Umm… good afternoon, Madam. It’s… it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Dahlia lifted her cup again, sipping slowly before lowering it. Her eyes shifted toward Maya just as the younger woman straightened from her bow.
And then it happened.
Dahlia’s face drained of color, her eyes widening as if she had just seen a ghost step out of
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her past. The porcelain cup slipped from her hand, shattering against the marble floor.
The sharp sound made Maya flinch violently, stumbling back a step, fear flickering in her eyes. Instinctively, Damien moved-immediately positioning himself in front of her, his broad shoulders shielding her from his mother’s sudden, startling reaction.
“Mother!” His voice was sharp, protective, demanding answers.
Ashcroft pushed off the wall at once, his easy grin gone, his body tense, ready. Even James, usually calm and collected, stiffened, alert where he stood by the door.
But Dahlia didn’t move. She sat frozen, eyes shimmering with tears that threatened to fall, her entire body trembling.
Her gaze never left Maya.
And then, in a voice broken with disbelief, she whispered a name that made the air crackle with tension-
“M… Ma… Malia…”
Maya stiffened, the name slamming into her chest like a thunderclap. Malia. Her mother’s name. Her breath hitched, confusion crashing over her in dizzying waves. Why… why would Damien’s mother call me that? Her stomach twisted, every nerve alive with panic.
Dahlia pushed to her feet with startling urgency, porcelain shards crunching faintly under her heels. Her eyes glistened, wide and unblinking, fixed only on Maya. She took a trembling step forward, as if drawn by a force she couldn’t resist.
Damien shifted instantly, an unmovable wall between them. His arm swept subtly behind him, steadying Maya with a protective touch at her hip. His voice cut through the air, low and sharp.
“Mother. What are you doing?” His eyes narrowed, dangerous now. “Her name is Maya. Not
Malia.”
Her gaze darted over Maya’s face again, drinking in every detail, every line, every shadow of resemblance that made her chest ache. Tears welled hot in her eyes, spilling over as her
voice cracked.
But Dahlia only shook her head harder, her breath coming unsteady. “No… you don’t understand.” Her voice quivered, filled with disbelief and something deeper, almost reverent. Her eyes never left Maya, drinking her in as if every heartbeat confirmed the impossible. “She … she looks just like her.”
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.