Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 574: Chris didn't respond right away. After a beat, he lifted his gaze, eyes crinkling with a smirk of exaggerated defeat. "How about we stop competing over who had the worse past? Just once, let's compare something that doesn't involve near-death or a rap sheet." His voice dropped as he leaned in, eyes clouded by something darker. Another inch closer, and the tension thickened. With slow precision, his fingers reached for her face, brushing lightly across the soft curve of her lips.

"If we're comparing, why not see who gives in first?" Before the words fully settled, he closed the distance and kissed her. This one held no hesitation. It was bold, fierce - a kiss that claimed rather than questioned. Whatever doubts still lingered inside her were drowned in that moment, replaced by a flood of something warmer. For a second, Maia froze. Then her eyes fluttered shut, and her hands instinctively gripped his, clasping the fingers that held her steady. All the unrest that had made a home in her chest, every quiet fear, every ache that she hadn't named - dissolved into nothing.

Beyond the walls, the wind rustled softly over the lake. The moon spilled its light like molten silver, scattering over the water in a shimmer of silent poetry. Within the room, faint wall sconces spilled golden light across the walls, casting overlapping shadows that danced together like a silent promise etched in silhouette. Held in his arms, Maia was struck by a sudden, fierce belief - that if the world came at him with chaos, she could stand in its path and take the blow. This wasn't just about honoring what Zoey had asked of her.

It was also about rescuing a version of herself that she thought she had lost. By early morning, Maia and Chris were already on their way to the Primary Healthcare Center in Wront. Check new chapters at galnovels․com The gentle light filtered through the trees, while a crisp breeze swept gently through the quiet streets. Wrapped in a lightweight trench coat, Maia moved with steady grace, her features serene and collected. Although her gaze appeared steady, it kept drifting toward Chris, especially the clean lines of his profile.

The warmth of his kiss still clung to her lips, sending a gentle pink hue to her cheeks. It felt almost impossible to believe that what happened last night was real. Beside her, Chris had traded his usual look for something more relaxed. The change suited him, giving off an easy charm that felt almost unfamiliar. "Feeling jittery?" Maia asked, tilting her head as she watched him. "It wasn't easy landing a slot with Dr. Beresford, you know." "Come on. With my wife by my side, what's there to be nervous about?" Chris said, flashing a slow, crooked grin.

Among the top minds in neurology, Leland Beresford stood out as a true expert, widely respected across the region. Since he began practicing at the Primary Healthcare Center in Wront, his appointment slots vanished within moments of being made available. There were a lot of patients who wanted to see him for medical treatment from all over the nation, some even from foreign countries, which led to the need for an appointment at least two months in advance. If Maia hadn't pulled a few strings, there was no way they'd have landed this appointment so quickly.

"Be completely honest when you speak to him. Don't downplay anything, and don't pretend you're fine. Explain every symptom clearly," Maia said firmly. Chris didn't answer right away. Instead, his eyes dropped to her lips, watching her speak with quiet amusement. A trace of a grin touched his mouth. "You really stepped into the role of my wife, haven't you?" The comment made her pause, a playful scowl forming as Maia looked at him. "Stop messing around," she muttered, her tone flustered. . . .