Chapter 127: Fate’s Reckoning-2
Claun
Ashcroft hesitated, then leaned back slightly, his tone gentler. “It’s a painful blow, no doubt. But don’t worry, Maya… she’s strong. She’ll get through this.”
Maya lowered her eyes, fresh tears burning as she nodded faintly. All she could do now was
wait.
A soft knock broke the silence. Ashcroft rose and pulled the door open. Standing there was a woman who looked to be in her early forties, dressed sharply in a tailored suit and tie that gave her an air of composed authority.
“Sir,” she bowed politely.
“Come in,” Ashcroft said, stepping aside. His tone softened as he gestured between them.” Maya, this is Kim-Aunt Dahlia’s personal assistant. Kim, this is Maya… Damien’s wife.”
Maya’s eyes widened, heat rushing to her cheeks at the introduction.
Kim moved forward and bowed respectfully, her words precise. “Ms. Maya, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Maya lifted her hands quickly, flustered. “N-no, please… I’m not his wife.”
Ashcroft smirked, leaning lazily against the doorframe. “Not yet. But you will be. So it’s just the same.”
Kim straightened, her eyes lingering on Maya for a moment too long. A flicker of surprise- almost recognition-passed over her usually composed face. Her gaze softened as if something clicked inside her, like a puzzle piece sliding into place.
The resemblance was undeniable. She had seen that same smile, those same eyes, in the old photograph her boss carried everywhere. The woman Dahlia had spent years searching
for.
Kim’s chest tightened, though she masked it quickly with a professional nod. “I… understand now,” she murmured almost to herself, then quickly composed her features again.
Maya tilted her head slightly, catching the way Kim’s eyes lingered on her. It wasn’t the polite curiosity of a stranger meeting someone new-it was something deeper, sharper. Almost… recognition.
Her chest tightened. Why is she looking at me like that?
Kim blinked, realizing she’d been staring, and quickly lowered her gaze, slipping back into her
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Chapter 127 Late’s Barkoning: 2
Clam
professional composure. “Forgive me,” she said smoothly, “you just… resemble someone very dear to Madam.”
Ashcroft’s brows rose faintly at that, but he didn’t comment. Maya, however, felt her pulse quicken, her mind immediately going to the photo Damien had shown her-the one of her mother standing beside Dahlia, smiling as though they’d shared the world.
Her voice came out fragile, trembling. “You… you’ve seen her before?”
Kim hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Not in person. But Madam has shown me her photograph many times over the years. She never stopped searching.”
Kim’s lips pressed into a tight line, as if steadying herself. “The resemblance, Ms. Maya… it’s striking.”
Maya’s throat constricted, her tears threatening again. She couldn’t tell if the weight pressing down on her chest was grief, fear, or a strange new bond tying her closer to Damien’s world.
Maya swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she finally spoke. “She’s… she’s my mom. And she… she passed away seven years ago.”
Kim’s expression softened instantly, her professional mask slipping into something more human-grief mirrored with sympathy. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Ms. Maya,” she murmured, bowing her head respectfully before straightening again. Her gaze shifted toward the closed bedroom door where her Madam lay. “James called me… told me Madam fainted. I had a feeling it was because of this.”
Maya gave a small nod, her tears returning.
Kim exhaled deeply, a trace of heaviness in her tone. “It broke her. She’s been waiting, searching… holding onto hope for so long. And to finally learn this truth… it must feel like the ground has been ripped away beneath her.”
She paused, then added with quiet conviction, “But I know Madam. She’s stronger than anyone realizes. Even if she never got to reunite with your mother, she will cling to what she has left of her-” her eyes flicked back to Maya, soft but certain, “-you.”
Maya’s lips trembled, her heart caught between grief and something she couldn’t name.
Kim allowed a faint, knowing smile to curve her lips. “The universe has strange ways of weaving paths together. Who could have imagined? That the daughter of her dearest friend- the one she’s been praying would someday stand beside her son-would be the very woman her son found, on his own. Fate, destiny, call it what you will… but it feels as though your meeting was always meant to be.”
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Chapter 17 Tate’s Reckoning ?
Claim
Kim’s words lingered in the air, warm and profound, sinking deep into Maya’s heart. Before she could respond, Ashcroft leaned back in his chair, folding his arms with a grin.
“I agree!” he chimed in, his tone lighter but sincere. “You know, from the beginning, I honestly couldn’t figure out how-or why-you caught Damien’s attention. No offense, sis, but you probably know better than anyone… there are women who’d sell their souls just to get a fraction of his attention.” He shook his head, chuckling. “But you? You didn’t even try. You just… broke through his walls without lifting a finger. And every minute, whether he admits it or not, he’s falling deeper and deeper. The two of you-” he gestured between her and the closed bedroom door, “-you’re meant to be. What do you call that? Soulmates! That’s it. You’re each other’s soulmates.”
Then he paused, his face twisting in mock horror. “Damn! I can’t believe those words just came out of my mouth. That’s so cheesy it makes me cringe!” He rubbed his arms dramatically as if brushing off goosebumps. “Ugh, gross. I feel like I need a drink after saying
that.”
The sudden shift earned a soft chuckle from Maya, her tears easing for the first time since everything unfolded. Even Kim let out a light laugh, shaking her head at Ashcroft’s theatrics. Ashcroft was just about to rise for a drink when a soft click from the bedroom made him pause, attention snapping back.
Kim straibeing yearned for good news, for some sign that the storm of grief could finally give way to clarity. She barely dared to breathe as the bedroom door began to open.
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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.