© Chapter 130 Tears and Truths-2
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Chapter 130: Tears and Truths-2
Maya’s heart tightened at the vulnerability in Dahlia’s voice. For the first time, the formidable woman before her seemed less a matriarch and more… human. She nodded gently, taking a tentative step forward, ready to bridge the gap that years of absence had carved between them.
She reached out and gently placed her hand over hers, offering a soft, reassuring smile. “I’d love to.”
Her eyes then flicked to Damien. Their gazes locked, an unspoken conversation passing between them-Maya silently telling him it was okay, that she could handle this, that she wanted this moment too.
Damien’s lips pressed into a thin line as he surrendered, nodding slowly.
Maya eased closer, slipping an arm gently around Dahlia’s shoulders, guiding her toward the couch with quiet care. “Come… let’s sit down for a moment,” she said, her voice soft and steady. Once Dahlia was settled, Maya lingered beside her, concern etched in her gaze. “I’ll bring you some water,” she whispered, her tone warm and tender.
Dahlia’s hand tightened gently around Maya’s, her voice trembling but filled with warmth. ” Please… don’t call me Madam anymore. Call me Aunt Dahlia, alright?”
Damien leaned in, his tone softer than usual, almost teasing but with an edge of longing. “Or
you could call her Mom.”
Maya blinked, caught off guard, her eyes darting between the two. A small, surprised laugh slipped out as her cheeks flushed with a soft blush. She shook her head gently, chuckling at Damien’s remark, then turned back to Dahlia. Her lips curved into a shy yet genuine smile, her voice tender. “Okay… Aunt Dahlia.”
She stood and walked toward the kitchen area to fetch the water, Damien close behind.
In the privacy of the kitchen, Damien’s voice was low, tinged with concern. “Love… you don’t-
”
Maya looked up at him, their eyes locking as they stood face to face. She smiled softly. “I’m fine, love. Don’t worry.”
Damien’s thumb brushed away the tears streaking her cheeks. “Are you sure?”
Maya leaned her face into his hand, whispering, “Yes…”
Satisfied, Damien pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly-holding her a moment longer
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Chapter 130 Tears and Truths-2
than necessary. His voice dropped, warm but insistent. “I still say you should call her Mom.”
Maya let out a hearty laugh, swatting lightly at his chest. “Stop it, Damien. Be serious.” His gaze didn’t waver. “I am serious, love.”
When they returned to the living room, Maya carried the glass of water with both hands, approaching Dahlia with quiet care. She sat beside her, offering it gently. “Please… have a drink first, Ma-” she caught herself, cheeks coloring, “I mean… Aunt Dahlia.”
Dahlia accepted it, raising the glass to her lips and taking a small, steady sip.
She set the glass down, her hands lingering slightly on it, as if the act grounded her. Her voice was soft, trembling just enough to betray the worry she tried to hide, and her eyes searched Maya’s face with earnest intensity. “Tell me about yourself, sweetheart… How have you been? Where are you living now? Are you… doing well? And your brother-where is he? How is he holding up? And your father… how is he managing everything?”
Maya offered a gentle smile, her eyes warm and steady. A soft, reassuring sigh escaped her lips as she reached out, lightly brushing Dahlia’s hand. “Aunt Dahlia… please, calm down,” she murmured, her voice tender but firm. “I’m not going anywhere. We have all the time in the world… we can talk for as long as you need, all night if we must.”
Dahlia’s gaze fell for a moment, her shoulders sagging as if carrying the weight of all she’d missed. When she looked back at Maya, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “I… I’m sorry, she whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m just… I don’t know how to… I’ve missed so much.”
Maya reached out, covering Dahlia’s trembling hand with her own, holding it gently but firmly. “I understand…” she murmured, her voice soft yet steady. “It’s alright. We’re here now-that’s what matters.”
Dahlia’s lips trembled, and she let a small, shaky smile grace her face, leaning just a fraction toward Maya. The tension in the room eased slightly, the weight of years apart and unspoken grief lingering but softened by their closeness.
Maya drew in a slow, steady breath, her voice gentle as she said, “How about… we start with
me?”
Dahlia nodded, her eyes fixed on Maya, eager to absorb every word.
Maya began, her voice steady yet gentle. “Maya Serene Thompson-that’s the name my parents gave me. I’m twenty-five now. My brother, Jaime… he’s fifteen.”
Dahlia’s eyes glistened, a soft, teary smile tugging at her lips. “That’s a very beautiful name.” She let out a small, wistful chuckle. “Your mother and I… we had this thing back then. We
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made a promise that our firstborns’ names would reflect a piece of ourselves.” Her gaze lingered on Damien for a moment, filled with quiet fondness.
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Ashcroft’s eyes lit up with sudden realization. “Ohhh… Dahlia, Damien… Malia, Maya. Makes sense!”
Dahlia laughed softly, a warm, affectionate sound. “Yes… it all comes full circle, doesn’t it? Even in the smallest things, the bonds remain.” Her gaze softened as she reached out slightly. “Go on, sweetheart… tell me more.”
Maya nodded, a faint, reflective smile tugging at her lips.
“We used to live in a quiet suburb just outside the city. Life was simple… easy. We were happy.”
She paused, eyes distant. “Mom took care of Jaime and me… and the household. She loved to cook, and her garden… she tended it with so much care. And Dad… he’s funny, always the ‘ good cop’, and he worked at a local tech company.”
She swallowed, the weight of memory pressing in. “But after they passed away, Jaime and I had to move. We ended up in low-cost housing near downtown, far from everything we knew.”
Maya glanced at Damien, her voice softening. “And I… I became a working student. Mornings at a small coffee shop, nights in class… until I landed an internship at Blackwood Enterprises.
Dahlia’s eyes widened, and she shot a sharp, searching glance at Damien.
Her voice softened, tinged with both curiosity and concern. “They… passed? What do you mean by ‘they’?”
Maya drew in a slow, steady breath, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. She let it out in a quiet exhale, her voice trembling slightly.
“Both of my parents… they passed away seven years ago. It was the day after my eighteenth birthday. They… were in a car accident.”
Dahlia’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock.
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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.