“You should pick that back up and read the whole thing,” Jonathan snaps.
My hands won’t stay still. They tremble when I reach for the tablet, trying to hold it steady long enough to read.
Love story. Luxury hotels. Forbidden love.
My chest locks up. I gasp for air. It’s like my lungs forgot how to work—like being strangled from the inside.
I glance at Jonathan, desperate, silently asking for help, and see him pacing in front of the desk.
When he feels my eyes on him, he stops and turns to face me.
“This? This could destroy everything we’ve spent years building.”
He slams his hand down on the screen, his voice rising with every word.
“You have to fix this shit! The phones are already blowing up—and this is only the beginning.”
I press both hands to the back of my head and pray. To any divine thing that might somehow be listening, for this to be a nightmare.
Maya
As soon as I step into the apartment and close the door, I kick off my heels and leave them by the entryway. I take my phone and toss the bag onto the coffee table.
I told the poor fool in the finance department—where Colin had Theodora dump me—that I had a terrible migraine.
It only took a few blinks, a bitten lip, and a hand on his chest for him to let me go home early without asking questions.
The truth is, I didn’t want to be at the office when Colin finds out, or when someone sees it and shows him.
Once he does,he'llbe the one with the real migraine.
I unlock my phone and open the link I got a few minutes ago. A slow smile spreads across my face.It’s perfect.
I read it again. And again. Letting it sink in, baskingin every word, every picture.
My phone rings, interrupting me just as I start to read it again.
Chloe.
Of course. She’s probably already seen it and can’t wait to start lecturing me.
I decline the call. I don’t want to tie up the line in case Colin calls.
When it rings again a few seconds later, I reject it. Then again.
“Ugh, she’s not giving up.”
I finally answer, and the first thing she says is, “What did you do, Amaya?”
I press my lips together; she loves pushing my buttons. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She lets out a short laugh.
“Your little games don’t work on me. Mom and Dad already saw it. You’d better be here before the weekend at the latest. I have no idea what the hell is going through your head.”
My eyes drift to the sonogram lying on the coffee table. “I’m just going after my own happy ending...dear cousin.”
Chapter 10
