T, A New Beginning
While Damien’s plane remained somewhere over the Pacific, the Gulfstream had already reached its destination.
Nearly two hours earlier, it had landed safely in Taiwan without incident.
James had arranged everything well before their arrival. The moment they stepped off the plane, vehicles were already waiting to take them directly to Blackwood Enterprises headquarters.
From the moment Hudson emerged wearing Damien’s face, he played his part flawlessly. His expression, mannerisms, and commanding presence gave no one reason to suspect that the many who had just arrived in Taiwan was anyone other than Damien Blackwood himself.
Monroe had also confirmed what they had anticipated.
Someone was watching them.
But rather than acknowledge the surveillance, they continued as though everything were perfectly normal, giving whoever was watching exactly the show they expected to see.
Damien Blackwood had arrived in Taiwan.
He had gone directly to Blackwood Enterprises.
And as far as anyone watching was concerned, he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
By the time Hudson and the others reached headquarters and settled into their respective positions, the first stage of their deception was firmly in place.
Confirmation of their safe arrival had brought some relief to everyone.
By eight that morning, breakfast had been laid out across the long dining table, though hardly anyone seemed particularly interested in eating.
Everyone except Jaime.
“This is torture.”
Jaime sat slumped dramatically in his chair, staring at the plates of food spread across the table as though they had personally offended him.
“I haven’t eaten since last night, and you people seriously decided to eat in front of me?”
Maya couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re the one having surgery.”
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“Exactly!” Jaime protested. “Which means I should be getting special treatment.”
“You are getting special treatment,” Harper pointed out as she reached for a piece of thick, crispy bacon. “You’re getting a new heart.”
Jaime narrowed his eyes at her.
“That doesn’t make watching you eat that delicious piece of bacon right in front of me any less
cruel.”
Harper deliberately took a large bite, closing her eyes as she chewed with exaggerated enjoyment.
“Mmm… oh, that’s good!”
Jaime swallowed hard, his eyes lingering on the bacon before he finally dragged them away and
turned to Dahlia.
“Aunt Dahlia, can I at least have some orange juice?”
Dahlia gave him an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, sweetheart. Doctor’s orders.”
Jaime let out a miserable groan and slumped even farther into his chair.
A few quiet laughs traveled around the table, briefly easing the tension that had been hanging over
them since morning.
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Even Maya laughed, though the knot in her stomach never completely disappeared.
Today was finally here..
After all the waiting, the uncertainty, the endless tests and consultations, Jaime was getting his
new heart.
She looked across the table at her brother.
He was joking. Complaining. Rolling his eyes at Harper as though this were any other morning.
But in just a few hours, the doctors would put him under anesthesia and open his chest.
Maya’s smile slowly faded, and Jaime seemed to notice.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?” Maya asked, feigning innocence.
“Like I’m about to die.”
Maya’s heart clenched. “Jaime-
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Chapter 308. A New Heart, A New Beginning
“I’m serious.” His expression softened. “I’m getting a new heart, May. That’s a good thing.”
Maya swallowed the emotion rising in her throat and forced a smile.
“I know.”
“Then smile,” Jaime said confidently.
So she did.
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Jaime immediately grinned back at her.
“That’s better! At least you get to eat, unlike me.” He sighed dramatically. “So pitiful.”
Maya chuckled and shook her head.
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Despite everything he had been through, Jaime somehow remained the same cheerful, optimistid boy she had always known. Even on the morning of the biggest operation of his life, he was still finding reasons to joke, laugh, and make everyone around him smile.
And somehow, seeing that gave Maya a little more courage too.
Before she could dwell on her worries any longer, the sound of approaching footsteps drew everyone’s attention toward the entrance.
Hannah appeared at the doorway first.
“Excuse me. Madam Cecilia is here.”
She stepped aside, and a moment later, Cecilia entered the dining hall.
“Good morning!” she greeted warmly.
Jaime immediately brightened at the sight of her.
“Grandma Cecilia! You’re here!”
Something flickered across Cecilia’s face at the word. Even after hearing Jaime call her Grandma the night before, it still touched something deep inside her.
The night had not been kind to her.
After her conversation with Tobias, Cecilia had gone back inside the house and locked herself in her room, needing to be alone with everything she was feeling.
As a mother, she carried a pain that was entirely her own. It did not make her grief greater than her husband’s, nor did she believe for a moment that Tobias had suffered any less.
Of all people, Cecilia knew how deeply he had loved their daughter.
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Chapter 308 A New Heart, A New Beginning
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She had watched him suffer silently every day after Malia disappeared, burying his grief beneat pride, anger, and the stubborn belief that one day she would come home. Tobias had simply carried his pain differently.
And now, Cecilia knew he was breaking too.
Part of her had wanted to go to him, to let them finally grieve together instead of continuing to suffer separately.
But she couldn’t. Not yet.
She had her own demons to face-years of regret, guilt, and questions she desperately wanted
answers to but knew she might never receive. She barely knew how to carry her own pain, much
less share the weight of Tobias’s.
So, for one night, Cecilia had chosen to face it alone.
But no matter how hard she tried, sleep refused to come. Every time she closed her eyes, Malia appeared before her.
Sometimes she saw the little girl who used to run into her arms. Other times, it was the young
woman who had walked away from their family all those years ago.
And then came the image that hurt the most-the daughter she would never have the chance to
see again.
Eventually, Cecilia stopped trying to sleep.
By the time morning came, her eyes were swollen from hours of crying. She spent what little time she had trying to conceal the evidence, refusing to let her grandchildren see her grief-especially
Jaime, not on the morning of his surgery.
Whatever pain she carried would have to wait.
Today was not about the daughter she had lost, nor was it about her grief or her husband’s.
Today was about the grandson she still had-and Cecilia intended to be there when he opened his eyes with a new heart beating inside his chest.
And with that new heart, she held on to a quiet hope that it would symbolize not only a second chance at life for Jaime, but perhaps a second chance for her to finally become part of their lives.
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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.