Chapter 1 A Mother’s Paint A Mother’s Love 2
Chapter 128: A Mother’s Pain, A Mother’s Love-2
“I… I’ll tell her what she wants to know,” she murmured, voice steady despite the lingering tremor. “As long as I have the answers. That’s the least I can do… she deserves them.”
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Her words hung in the air, a fragile mix of resolve and longing, carrying both her promise to Damien’s mom and her own yearning to understand the mother she had lost.
Damien leaned closer, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Maya’s head, tightening his hold around her as if he could shield her from the world. His voice was low, warm, teasing, yet sincere.
“You’ll have plenty of time,” he murmured softly, “and I’m sure my mom won’t hesitate to ask every little question she’s been dying to know.”
He pulled back slightly to look at her, eyes dark with tenderness. “It turns out… you’re the woman my mom always hoped I’d end up with. I guess that guarantees the fact that your mo ther-in-law already loves you. Probably more than her own son.”
Maya blinked, a mixture of surprise and warmth spreading across her face. She lifted her hands to rest on his chest, heart fluttering. “She… she loves me? Already?” she whispered, a small, incredulous laugh escaping her lips.
Damien’s lips curved into a confident, gentle smile. “Oh, absolutely. She’s been waiting all these years to meet the daughter of her dearest friend… and now, here you are. And the best part? I’m already in love with you. How could she not love you? And besides, She always dreamed of having a daughter… and now, in a way, she finally has one.”
Maya’s cheeks warmed, a mixture of shyness and delight fluttering through her chest. She pressed lightly against him, still holding his gaze. “I… I hope I can live up to her expectations,” she murmured softly, her voice tinged with both awe and curiosity. “And… I want to know more about my mom too… from her. I want to understand her, who she was, and… everything my mom meant to your mom.”
Damien’s fingers tightened gently around hers, his eyes darkening with intensity and affection. “You will,” he promised, his voice steady. “She won’t hold anything back. And I’ll be right here with you… through every question, every memory.”
He paused, a flicker of concern crossing his features. “Although… now I’m a little worried.”
Maya pulled herself up slightly from his chest, brow furrowed. “Why?”
Damien’s lips quirked with a mix of teasing and seriousness. “I have a feeling she’s going to take all your time. What about me? I like being your priority, you know?”
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Complet 18 A Mother’s Par. A Mother’s Love I
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He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, a teasing lilt in his voice, “I need you too… we still have a lot to… learn together… hmm.”
Maya’s breath caught, a flush creeping up her neck as heat spread through her. Her pulse quickened, and she felt her hands instinctively clutch at his chest. “Damien…” she murmured, both flustered and fluttering with something dangerously close to excitement.
He chuckled softly, low and intimate, his fingers tightening around hers. “Don’t worry, love. We’ll make time… even if my mother tries to steal you away.”
Maya’s lips curved into a shy smile, heart fluttering against his steady presence, feeling the warmth of safety, teasing, and unspoken desire all at once.
Their silent moment didn’t last long. Ashcroft’s booming voice cut through the quiet, shattering the tender bubble around them. “Whoa! Don’t get too confident, brother! Remember what Aunt Dahlia said earlier about her mom wanting to put a bullet in someone’s head? Who knows if that arrogant boy-so eager to chase after her-will even come back!”
Damien’s eyes darkened instantly, his jaw tightening as he shot Ashcroft a sharp, icy glare. The warmth from earlier hardened into a warning, silent but deadly.
Maya blinked, utterly bewildered, pushing back slightly from Damien’s embrace. Her eyes flicked between him, seated beside her, and Ashcroft, leaning casually against the wall with a glass of amber-gold liquid in hand. “Wait… what? Arrogant boy? Bullet to the head? What… what are you two talking about?”
Ashcroft laughed, throwing his hands up in mock surrender, clearly relishing the ripple he’d set off. “Apparently your mom told Aunt Dahlia there was some arrogant boy pestering her daughter-so bad she considered putting a bullet in his head.”
Maya blinked, “My mom? Arrogant boy?” then a slow lightbulb of recognition went on.
“Oh… oh-William. From high school!”
Damien snapped, every inch suddenly alert. “You remember his name?” His voice had a hungry, narrow edge to it.
Maya startled, then the tension cracked, and she let out a soft, incredulous laugh. “That was ages ago-just high school nonsense. He was the basketball captain, loudmouthed and full of himself.” She gave a little shrug, a smile tugging at her lips. “He’s a family man now. Ended up marrying the cheer captain right after college, and they’ve got two kids.”
Damien didn’t look convinced. His jaw tightened, the threat rolling off him like a dark current. “You’re keeping tabs on him? Are you still in contact? Is he reaching out to you? Where is he? What’s his full name? I’ll-” He cut off, the words raw and too close to a promise. “I’ll hunt
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him down and be the one to put a bullet in his head.”
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Maya blinked, caught between horror and amusement, and quickly reached for Damien’s hand. “Damien-calm down. He’s harmless. I’m not even in touch with him. I just happened to see it on social media, that’s all.”
Ashcroft, lounging in the doorway with his glass, let out a delighted snort. “See? Nothing to worry about. Unless, of course, you’re planning to go full-on vigilante over a high school jock.”
Damien exhaled sharply, the fire in his eyes dimming to a low, possessive smolder. He looked both absurdly protective and deeply human all at once. Then, almost too smoothly, his gaze snapped to Ashcroft. “You run your mouth like a woman. Which reminds me…” His eyes narrowed. “I still have a score to settle with you.”
Ashcroft arched a brow, sipping his drink. “Oh? And what score would that be?”
Damien’s jaw tightened, his voice low, pointed. “You and Harper. What was that about?”
Ashcroft froze mid-sip, Damien’s question landing harder than he expected. For a rare moment, the usual cocky grin slipped from his face.
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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.