His Fiancée Ordered Flowers for the Paralyzed Mafia Boss’s Funeral While He Was Still Breathing, but the Maid Refused to Leave His Side

Damian sat back down on the edge of the bed just as the power fully restored, flooding the room with bright, artificial light.

Maya immediately stepped away from the door, keeping her hands folded in front of her, her expression perfectly neutral.

"Why did you do that?" Damian asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Why didn't you scream for the guards when you saw me stand?"

Maya looked down at the floor. "It is not my place to question your medical condition, sir."

"Stop playing the obedient servant," Damian snapped, leaning forward. "You know I'm not paralyzed. You know I'm lying to my fiancée, my men, and my family. You could sell that information to the highest bidder by sunrise."

Maya finally raised her head. Her dark eyes met his, and for the first time, he saw the fierce, unyielding fire behind her quiet demeanor.

"I have worked in houses like this for ten years, Mr. Russo," Maya said evenly. "I have seen wealthy men lie for money, for mistresses, and for power. But a man does not confine himself to a wheelchair and endure agonizing physical pain unless he is hunting a monster."

Damian was genuinely speechless. He stared at her, realizing she was far more intelligent than anyone had given her credit for.

"Someone tried to kill me," Damian confessed, the words feeling strange on his tongue. He never confided in anyone outside his inner circle. "Someone who knew my schedule. I need them to think they succeeded in breaking me so they will make their final move."

"Miss Vivian," Maya stated, without a hint of hesitation.

Damian’s chest tightened. "What makes you say that?"

"Because she does not look at you like a woman who is grieving a loss," Maya replied softly. "She looks at you like a woman waiting for an inheritance to clear."

Damian let out a harsh, bitter laugh. He leaned back against the pillows, feeling a strange, unfamiliar sense of relief.

"I need eyes and ears in this house," Damian said, his gaze locking onto hers. "People ignore you, Maya. They talk in front of you because they think you don't matter."