Chapter 615
Chapter 615:
But her real fear gnawed at her. He was too loyal, too trusting. What if his boss was playing him, using him as a pawn in some dirty game?
A quiet warmth bloomed in Chris’ heart, unfamiliar yet grounding. He noticed the way her eyes softened, the way her voice carried a tremor of care. The realization tugged at him, softening the edges of his usually guarded demeanor. His lips curved into a gentle smile, his fingers brushing against hers.
Maia pressed on, her words tumbling out faster. “Once your headaches are under control, I can help you find something else p>
Chris’ playful spark dimmed. He clasped her hand, his grip firm yet tender, his eyes locking onto hers with a quiet intensity. “Alright, Maia. I will do it. I’ll talk to my boss about stepping away, find something stable, something that gives us room to breathe p>
Her lips parted, ready to protest that he didn’t need to work at all. Her income could carry them both, easily.
But Chris spoke first, his voice low, steady, cutting through the night air. “I will not let people whisper that your husband is some deadbeat living off you p>
Maia froze, her breath catching. The breeze tugged at the loose strands of hair by her ear, and she stared at him, her heart swelling with something unspoken.
For years, Chris had cloaked himself in the guise of an unremarkable bastard son, weathering a storm of scorn and prejudice while deftly sidestepping Kolton’s cunning traps. The weight of that endurance must have pressed heavily on his soul, though he never let it show.
Maia studied him, her gaze tracing the easy curve of his smile. He wore that carefree air so well — could it be a mask, painstakingly crafted to shield his heart from the world’s sharp edges?
A quiet sigh escaped her, soft as a whisper, as she pressed her lips into a thin line.
Chris’ chuckle broke the silence, low and warm. He stepped closer, his fingers brushing hers before closing around her hand with gentle certainty. “Come on, let’s head home p>
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His grip, warm and unyielding, anchored her, stirring a flicker of security that she hadn’t realized she craved.
Maia nodded, knowing that words were unnecessary, and let him guide her forward.
Their footsteps fell in sync along the quiet street, where streetlights cast their shadows in long, wavering ribbons across the pavement. The world’s clamor faded, leaving only the soft rhythm of their steps and the stillness of the night wrapping around them.
Chris stole a glance at Maia’s face, her delicate features softened under the glow of the lamps. A spark of her old radiance flickered in her eyes, and his lips tugged upward in quiet satisfaction.
For years, he had loved her from the shadows, guarding her in silence. Now, with her hand in his, he vowed to hold on — fiercely, irrevocably.
That night, Maia sank into a deep sleep, her dreams weaving a tapestry of memories: her parents’ laughter, now long gone, and Chris, steadfast at her side.
In her mind’s eye, his gaze burned with quiet intensity, filling her with a warmth that settled deep in her chest, steady and unshakable.
She stirred awake past ten, sunlight spilling across her room.
Her phone blinked insistently, its screen alight with missed calls — all from Pattie.
A frown creased her brow as she dialed back.