ter 21: The Truth Unfolds-2
James turned to face him fully. “What happened at the hospital?”
+25 Points
Jamie swallowed hard, voice low and uneven as the memory came flooding back.
“He showed up out of nowhere, with that stupid rose and takeout like it was some kind of peace offering. Maya told him no – clear, firm. But his smile… it wasn’t right. It twitched like something
snapped behind it. Cold. Like rejection was a thing he couldn’t accept.”
James said nothing, listening intently.
His hands clenched at his sides. “I told her he was trouble. She tried to laugh it off, but I saw it in
her eyes. She was scared.”
By the time Monroe returned, his jaw was tight.
“We have it,” he said, holding up his tablet. “Footage shows Ms. Thompson leaving the building just after 7:00 a.m. Beckett was already waiting across the street. They talked. She looked hesitant-
uncomfortable. But after a few minutes… she got in.”
Jamie looked like he was about to be sick.
Ms. Janice’s voice lowered, grim. “He was waiting for her.”
Monroe’s face darkened. “That’s not all. I pulled footage from last night too.”
He turned the screen toward James.
Monroe’s voice dropped to a near whisper as he swiped through the footage on his tablet.
“Look here,” he said, tapping the screen.
Maya’s figure appeared under the flickering streetlight-shoulders hunched, footsteps quick and
uneven. She kept glancing over her shoulder, eyes wide, breath shallow.
Minutes later, a sleek black car rolled silently down the street, then parked across from her
building. The engine’s hum was almost a whisper in the night. The car stayed there. Waiting. Watching.
“He planned this,” Monroe said grimly.
James’s voice dropped to a grim whisper, heavy with warning. “He never boarded that flight.”
Jamie’s voice broke, disbelief and dread tangled together. “What flight?”
James’s eyes darkened with resolve as he met Jamie’s.
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Chapter 21 The Truth Unfolds 2
+28 Points
“Mr. Blackwood saw how uncomfortable Maya was that day at the hospital. He has zero tolerance for anyone who crosses his people. So he ordered a deep background investigation on Dr. Beckett -and what we found was worse than we imagined. Beckett’s been involved in things that are absolutely intolerable. Because of that, he was ordered transferred-banished far away. He was supposed to be gone before sunrise yesterday. The flight manifest says he was on it… but he wasn’t. He deceived us all. He has other plans.. he’s still out there. And he’s dangerous.”
Jamie’s breath hitched. His hands shook uncontrollably, fingers digging into his hair as if to hold himself together.
“He took her,” Jamie whispered hoarsely. “What if he hurts her? What if she’s terrified and alone and … His voice broke, tears pricking the edges of his eyes. “I should’ve stopped her. I should’ve
known. She’s all I have…”
His shoulders trembled as fury and helplessness collided in a storm of silent screams.
Ms. Janice stepped closer, placing a gentle hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Relax, sweetheart. They’re going to help find Maya. Don’t get too worked up, okay? That’s not good for you. If something happens to you, Maya would be heartbroken.”
Jamie nodded, but his knuckles were white. “She’s all I have.”
James met Jamie’s fierce gaze with a steady, unwavering look. “I swear to you-we will find her. No
matter what.”
He pulled out his phone, quickly saved Jamie’s and Ms. Janice’s numbers, and promised, “I’ll keep you both updated the moment we know anything.”
Before they left, Monroe gave Jamie a subtle nod – an unspoken promise of protection and
respect.
Ms. Janice lingered by the doorway, her eyes heavy with silent prayers as she watched them disappear down the hall.
Back in the car, James exhaled hard as he slipped into the front seat. The air inside was thick with
tension.
He picked up his phone and hit Damien’s private line.
It rang once.
“Talk.” Damien’s voice was sharp, clipped.
James didn’t hesitate.
“It’s Beckett. He never took the flight.”
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.