Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 570: If all of this was just a dream, she didn't care - she'd gladly stay in it a while longer. As the kiss faded into silence, Chris cupped Maia's cheeks and leaned in, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths tangled in the space between them. "We've got the whole night," he murmured, his voice low and coaxing. "Stay with me a little longer..." Maia thought of everything he'd done for her that night - the waiting, the quiet care, the thoughtful surprises he'd left at home. Turning him down felt impossible.

She gave a small nod, and without a word, Chris took her hand and guided her to the sofa. Lowering himself to one knee in front of her, he looked up and asked, "What'll it be, champagne or juice?" He hadn't forgotten that she'd probably had more than enough alcohol back at the birthday banquet, so he left the choice in her hands. "Juice," she replied softly. The memory of Mariana's drugged champagne offering still churned unpleasantly in her stomach. "You got it." Rising smoothly, Chris went to the fridge, pulled out a chilled bottle of orange juice, and brought back two clean glasses.

After pouring the drinks, he handed one to her. "Orange juice. Should help settle things." "Thanks," Maia said automatically, reaching for the glass. Without warning, Chris reached out and gently tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. When she looked up, she found him grinning, that familiar spark in his eyes. "If you keep talking to me, your husband, like I'm a guest in your house," he teased, "I'm going to have to come up with a very creative punishment." Warmth crept up Maia's cheeks again, a quiet flush she tried to hide by lowering her gaze and taking a slow sip of juice.

Half-closed curtains allowed soft moonlight to spill into the living room, pooling gently across the dark carpet like silver silk. Mⱺɍɇ Ʉρȡąţɇş ĩŋ ɢąłņøνɇłş.çøɱ The air still carried the delicate trace of flowers, a lingering note from earlier preparations - as if the room itself was part of an unspoken dream. The memory of his kiss still hovered at the edge of her lips, tender and vivid. Shifting slightly, Maia glanced at the man beside her. Chris had already shrugged off his jacket, now lounging with ease on the couch, one leg crossed neatly over the other.

In one hand, he held his glass of juice; the other pressed lightly against his temple. Watching him rub at the side of his head, Maia suddenly sat a little straighter, a note of concern rising in her voice. "Is it your head again? Are you in pain?" Chris blinked, momentarily surprised. He had barely registered the ache himself - it was a familiar, dull throb he usually ignored. The motion had been thoughtless, automatic. But the fact that she noticed... that meant something. A soft smile curved across his lips as he turned to her. "It was bothering me a little. But hearing you ask that?

I feel perfectly fine now." Maia rolled her eyes, not fooled by his playful tone. He really was impossible when he turned on the charm. But the concern didn't fade. She leaned in slightly. "Will you be honest with me? What's really causing these headaches?" The moment she asked, Chris lowered his hand from his temple, and the levity in his expression faded. Maia kept her voice even, but her words held weight. "It's strange - your symptoms vary each time.

I might not specialize in neurology, but I know these aren't just routine stress headaches." While concealing her medical knowledge, Maia shared her assessment. Chris didn't speak right away. A few quiet seconds passed before he finally gave a small nod. "You're right," he said quietly. . . . Message from Noah: Have a beautiful day dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (─‿‿O) .