s Chapter 131: The Weight She Carried Alone-2
Chapter 131: The Weight She Carried Alone-2
She held her hand a little tighter, as if anchoring herself in the moment, her gaze lingering on Maya as though she were something precious she was afraid to lose again.
Then, through the veil of tears, a soft, trembling smile broke across her lips.
“You and Damien…” she whispered, her voice fragile, trembling yet edged with hope. “You’re together?”
Maya nodded, a shy blush coloring her cheeks as a warm smile slowly spread across her face. “Yes… just a few days ago, actually.” She let out a light, slightly nervous chuckle, her eyes glimmering with both happiness and the hint of newness in their relationship.
Ashcroft leaned back with a sly smirk. “Honestly… you should ask her how hopeless Damien is at romance. Took him forever just to get a ‘yes.’
”
Maya let out a soft laugh at the jab, her cheeks warming, while Damien shot Ashcroft a sharp, exasperated look, eyes narrowing as he tried-and failed-to hide his irritation.
Dahlia leaned forward, curiosity mingled with concern. “Is my son treating you well? Has he been giving you any trouble?”
“Mom!” Damien interjected, the exasperation in his voice softened by the faintest trace of amusement.
Maya shook her head, a gentle laugh escaping her lips. “No… actually, he’s been really good to me.”
Dahlia’s eyes softened, a faint, relieved smile tugging at her lips. “I’m glad to hear that. But… if he ever gets stubborn, promise me you’ll tell me. I’ll know exactly how to straighten him
out.”
Ashcroft chuckled, shaking his head. “Honestly, Aunt Dahlia, no need to intervene. Damien’s completely different with Maya-he hangs on her every word. She’s got him wrapped around h er little finger.”
Damien’s glare was sharp, pointed-but not entirely serious. “Shut up, or I’ll throw you out.”
Ashcroft only grinned cheekily, holding up his hands in mock surrender and making a playful “zip it” gesture.
Maya chuckled softly, shaking her head, a gentle warmth spreading through her chest as she met Damien’s gaze. “He’s given me the kind of attention I never asked for-or even dared to dream of. He’s given us a life I never imagined was possible. He’s not perfect… and neither
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am I. Yet he’s accepted me for who I am and let me into parts of his life no one else has ever reached. Being part of his world scares me, but… I don’t care about his world. I care about our
S.”
Her gaze softened, lingering on him, warmth and vulnerability shining in her eyes. “He’s my person… and I love him. All of him.”
Damien’s chest tightened, a wave of pride, love, and fierce protectiveness rolling over him. His lips curved into a small, tender smile, and his eyes-deep, unwavering-locked onto hers with a quiet intensity that made her breath catch.
He reached out slowly, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, lingering just a moment longer than necessary. His voice was low, warm, and steady, carrying the weight of everything he felt.
“And I love you, Maya,” he murmured, each word deliberate, each syllable heavy with meaning. “All of you… every piece, every flaw. I wouldn’t change a single thing.”
The room seemed to pause, as if holding its breath, the space between them thick with unspoken promises and raw, shared emotion.
Outside, the sun dipped low, casting a warm amber glow that spilled across the walls, painting the moment in gold. The soft hum of the evening was the only sound, gentle and intimate, as if the world itself had quieted to witness this.
Dahlia’s eyes shimmered with tears, catching the last light of the day. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached out, gently clasping theirs. “Oh… my sweet girl,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, fragile yet overflowing. “I see why my son loves you… I’m so glad you found each other. I’m so happy… please, take care of one another. Love each other with everything you have. I am so proud of you both.”
Maya’s lips curved into a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Aunt Dahlia,” she whispered, her voice soft, tinged with relief.
She took a slow breath, her eyes meeting Dahlia’s with quiet sorrow. “I can tell you were really close to my mom,” she continued, her words gentle, threaded with regret. “I’m sorry if it seems like I don’t remember you… I never had the chance to know her side of the family. She never talked about them, and I don’t have any memories or stories to share. I… I’m sorry.” Dahlia closed her eyes, shaking her head gently, a small, understanding smile touching her lips. “Oh… no, sweetheart. That’s exactly how it should be.”
Maya blinked, startled, her brow furrowing slightly. “What do you mean?”
Dahlia swallowed hard, letting out a long, quiet sigh. “Your mother and I… we grew up
Chapter 131: The Weight She Carried Alone-2
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together, like sisters. We shared everything, no secrets between us. Until one day, in college… she fell in love with a man-Julian, your father. And that changed everything.”
Maya’s lips parted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Changed everything… how? Did something happen? Were they… happy?”
Her eyes searched Dahlia’s face, a mixture of curiosity and the fragile hope of understanding her mother a little better.
Dahlia smiled softly. “Oh yes, they were very happy… deeply in love. But your father… he’s a simple, kind man. And your mother’s family…” She paused, taking a deep breath, then gently clasped both of Maya’s hands, her gaze locking onto hers.
“Your mother’s family, Maya… they are not simple. They would never accept your father, no matter how much your mom begged. So your mother… she made a choice.”
Maya’s brows furrowed, her lips slightly parted. Confusion and a flicker of fear danced in her eyes as she tried to piece together the fragments of a past she had never known. Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap, and her gaze fell to the floor for a heartbeat, the room feeling suddenly too heavy, too full of secrets.
“I… I don’t understand, Aunt Dahlia,” she whispered, her voice trembling, barely carrying across the quiet space between them.
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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.