Char
As they neared the table, Dahlia looked up, her expression soft but discerning. “Good morning,” she
greeted smoothly. “You all took your time.”
Maya smiled first. “Good morning, Aunt Dahlia.” She leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on
the cheek.
Dahlia leaned forward in return, resting her head briefly against Maya’s and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. Gently taking her hand in hers, she smiled warmly. “Maya, sweetheart, please sit beside
me.”
Maya settled into the seat beside her, a small smile lingering on her lips.
“Morning, Mom,” Damien said, leaning down to kiss Dahlia’s cheek before taking the seat beside
Maya.
“Son,” Dahlia replied softly, a flicker of pride in her eyes.
Her gaze returned to Maya. “Did you have a good rest, dear?”
A faint flush crept up Maya’s cheeks before she could stop it. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Damien-just long enough for Dahlia to notice the tiny, telling glance-before she answered with a shy smile.
“Mm… yes,” she murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “I did. Slept… really well, actually.
Damien’s lips twitched into the faintest smirk beside her, while Dahlia’s knowing eyes softened with
quiet amusement.
Dahlia’s gaze lingered on the two of them and a gentle warmth bloomed in her chest. There it was, unmistakable: the spark between them. The way her son’s usual cool, shadowed demeanor softened in Maya’s presence. The light she brought to him, effortlessly, without even trying. It made Dahlia’s heart flutter in quiet delight.
Maya, noticing the tender look, quickly composed herself and smiled. “Um… how about you? Did you sleep well?”
Dahlia let out a soft chuckle, a flicker of guilt crossing her features. “I won’t deny it took me a while -my mind was everywhere.” She paused, a small laugh escaping her lips. “But surprisingly, I slept deeply in the end.”
Her eyes drifted toward the horizon, where the first streaks of sunlight brushed the still sea.
Maybe it’s because, for the first time in so long, there’s a sense of… clarity,” she murmured, her tone
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Chapter 146 The Reckless Little Rebel-1
soft, thoughtful.
The breeze caught her words, almost stealing them away. “The worry, the endless anxiety over finding Malia… not knowing where to even begin… it’s been replaced by knowing. By this quiet, steady peace of finally knowing.”
Clam
Maya’s lashes fluttered, her chest swelling with emotion. In Dahlia’s words, she heard echoes of her own longing, and their eyes met in a moment heavy with unspoken grief and the quiet courage of moving forward.
The quiet moment was broken as Ashcroft stepped forward and took his seat across from Dahlia. He inclined his head politely. “Morning, Aunt Dahlia,” he said, his voice steady and respectful, carrying a measured warmth without overstepping.
Dahlia studied him carefully, her eyes attentive and discerning, catching the restless fatigue shadowing his features. A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. “Nicholas… you look like you hardly slept. Are you alright?”
He gave a half-shrug, voice low and controlled. “Yeah… one of those nights.”
Her eyes softened for a moment, then sharpened with quiet curiosity. She lifted her cup with effortless grace, the curling steam framing her words.
“Nicholas… you and Harper missed dinner last night. What were you two up to?”
Ashcroft raised his coffee, then paused mid-sip, letting the warmth of the cup linger in his hands. He leaned back in his chair, jaw tight, eyes flicking briefly toward the empty space where Harper should have been. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at his lips.
“Just… took care of something,” he said smoothly, voice even, measured. “And I gave her a hand with… some trash.”
His words were casual, but the subtle weight behind them-the memory, the guilt, the thrill-hung in the air. He let the silence stretch, letting Dahlia fill the gap with her own curiosity.
Dahlia’s brows lifted slightly, a spark of curiosity in her eyes, though she kept her tone measured. “I see… I hope that ‘something’ didn’t involve any trouble.”
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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.