Chapter 13 - A Moment of Truth
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The evening was quiet, the calm before the storm.
Damian sat near the roaring fireplace, staring into the flames. The pain in his ribs had subsided, and the cuts on his face were healing, but the betrayal of his cousin and his fiancée left a deep, aching wound in his chest.
Maya walked into the room carrying a fresh pitcher of water. She set it on the table and turned to leave.
"Stay," Damian said softly.
Maya stopped, turning back to face him. She stood awkwardly near the edge of the rug, her hands folded in front of her apron.
"You don't have to stand like a servant when we are alone," Damian murmured, gesturing to the plush velvet armchair opposite him. "Sit down, Maya."
She hesitated, then slowly walked over and sat on the very edge of the chair.
"Why did you stay?" Damian asked, his dark eyes studying her face. "After Vivian threatened your family, you should have run. I gave you an out. I could have protected your sister from afar."
Maya looked down at her hands. "Because I know what it feels like to be completely alone in a room full of people who are supposed to care about you."
Damian’s chest tightened. He realized that for the past three weeks, this quiet, unassuming housemaid had shown him more loyalty, courage, and genuine care than the woman who wore his diamond ring.
"You saved my life, Maya," Damian said quietly.
"I just poured the tea," she replied with a small, self-deprecating smile.
"You did far more than that," Damian insisted, leaning forward in his chair. "When this is over... when the dust settles, you are not going back to cleaning floors. Whatever you want, wherever you want to go, it is yours. Name your price."
May you like
Maya looked up at him, her dark eyes entirely sincere. "I don't want a price, Damian. I just want you to stand up."
For the first time since the accident, Damian laughed. It was a rich, genuine sound that filled the heavy room. He looked at the woman sitting across from him, realizing that he didn't just trust her. He admired her.
