Chapter 152 The Face of a Memory-2
Chapter 152: The Face of a Memory-2
Jaime grinned, laughter in his eyes. “I’ve been good, May! I swear!” He glanced nervously at Monroe for backup.
Monroe gave him a quick, approving nod. “Yeah, bud.” Then turning to Maya, he bowed slightly
with his usual polite demeanor. “Nice to see you again, Ms. Thompson.”
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Maya raised an eyebrow, smirking. “What happened to our deal? I thought no more formalities?”
Monroe scratched the back of his neck, chuckling softly. “Right! Well… welcome back, Ms. Maya.”
Maya laughed, shaking her head playfully. “Thank you… Mr. Monroe,” she added, her tone teasing.
Jaime’s gaze then shifted, landing on Damien, who was standing a short distance behind Maya. ”
Hello, Mr. Blackwood,” he said, a mixture of politeness and curiosity in his voice. “Nice to see you
again.”
Damien stepped forward smoothly, offering a nod. “Jaime. Good to see you again. You look well.”
He paused, giving a small, teasing smile. “And please-don’t call me Mr. Blackwood. We’ll be brothe
rs-in-law soon.”
His hand found Maya’s lower back, a gentle, protective touch that made her blush lightly. Jaime’s eyebrows shot up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
“Wait…” Jaime started, glancing between them, his voice caught somewhere between disbelief
and amusement. “Are you two…?”
Maya’s cheeks flamed, and she looked down for a moment before shyly nodding.
Jaime let out a low whistle, shaking his head, a mixture of exasperation and relief on his face.” Finally… May. About time, huh?”
Maya’s eyes widened, and her voice wobbled, half-laughing, half-embarrassed. “Jaime! Stop-it’s embarrassing!”
“What?” he said, stepping closer, eyes bright with sincerity. “I’ve been waiting for this… waiting for you to finally think about your own happiness. You deserve it, May. I’m really happy for you.”
His grin faded, replaced by a gravity that made the air feel heavier. He turned to Damien, his gaze unwavering. “Damien… I may be younger and not know the world well enough yet, but I love my sister. I would protect her with everything I have. Please… don’t ever hurt her. If one day you feel differently-if she’s not what you want anymore-then just tell her. But don’t do anything that will break her heart, don’t treat her like she’s disposable, because she’s not. She’s everything to me.”
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Chapter 152 The Face of a Memory-2
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Damien blinked, caught off guard, the corner of his mouth twitching with an amused, soft smile. His voice was low, steady, and filled with unmistakable sincerity. “Jaime… don’t worry. That will nev er happen. Maya means too much to me. I’ll do everything to protect her, to protect both of you. I love your sister, and I’d give my life to make sure she’s safe. You have my word.”
Jaime studied him for a long moment, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. A faint, approving smile crept across his face, pride and relief mixing in his gaze. Then he extended his
hand toward Damien.
Damien took it, and the two men shook firmly, a silent agreement passing between them.
Turning back to Maya, Jaime’s expression softened, tender and protective. “Remember, no matter what, I will always be here for you, okay? You deserve all the love in the world, May. Don’t ever
settle for less.”
Maya’s chest tightened, a warmth spreading through her as the enormity of the moment settled around her like a protective cloak. Between the love of her brother and the quiet assurance of Damien, she felt a pulse of belonging, of family, of being seen in a way she never had before.
Behind them, the four matriarchs stood quietly, observing the exchange. Their eyes softened, taking in the sincerity and love radiating from Jaime, Maya, and Damien. Dahlia, ever emotional, felt her throat tighten, a glimmer of tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
Dominic noticed immediately. Before her tears could spill, he cleared his throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. “Don’t worry, son,” he said, his tone steady but warm. “We’re with you on that one. If this brat ever hurts Maya,”-he nodded at Damien-“we won’t let it go. We’ll be
the first to teach him a lesson.”
Jaime straightened and bowed respectfully. “I… I’m sorry, sir. How rude of me.” His gaze swept briefly to the four matriarchs standing just a few steps behind Maya and Damien. “Good evening,
Ma’ams… Sir. I am Jaime-Maya’s brother.”
Dominic let out a hearty laugh, the sound filling the room. “That scamp won again! Well son, I
guess I owe you a million dollars!”
Jaime and Maya froze, eyes wide with shock. The matriarchs watched silently, sensing the weight
of the moment.
“Excuse me, sir?” Jaime asked, bewildered.
Dominic stepped forward, his hands resting firmly yet tenderly on Jaime’s shoulders. He studied
the boy’s face as if the years had collapsed, revealing a living echo of the past. His throat
tightened, a lump rising as memories surged unbidden. Julian… you damn fool… how could you
leave us so soon? He swallowed hard, voice catching even in silence. I wish you were here…
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Chapter 152 The Face of a Memory-2
standing beside your son, seeing him grow, seeing him now…
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Without thinking, he pulled Jaime into a firm hug, one hand patting his back, the other lingering on his shoulder, as if trying to carve the moment into memory. The room held its breath-the matriarchs, Maya, Damien-everyone sensing the depth of the connection.
Pulling back just enough to keep his hands on Jaime’s shoulders, Dominic’s eyes glistened. “Your father and I had a bet years ago. Whoever’s gene was stronger would win a million. He was so confident he’d take it. Then came Damien. My son here takes after me, but mostly from his mother. So all these years, i thought I’ve won. But you… you’re a spitting image of your dad!”
His throat tightened, a lump forming as memories surged. The boy’s bright eyes, the familiar tilt of his chin, the warmth in his smile-it was all so achingly familiar, and yet entirely new.
“You look exactly like Julian.” Dominic whispered, voice low and husky, almost breaking. His hands pressed a little firmer on Jaime’s shoulders, grounding both himself and the boy. “Every bit of him… all that confidence, all that heart… it’s here in you.”
Jaime blinked, overwhelmed, not fully expecting such raw emotion from this man he had only just
met.
Dominic’s eyes glossed, but his smile remained steady, a mixture of pride and awe. He took a slow, deep breath, letting the weight of unspoken grief and joy wash over him. “You carry him… every part. And… it’s more than I could have ever imagined.”
For a moment, the room seemed to still-the world outside falling away until only the quiet hum of belonging remained. Between past and present, grief and healing, two generations stood bound by
something neither time nor loss could sever.
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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.