Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 86: "Alright," Maia answered quietly, her voice barely carrying.

Finishing up in the bathroom, she cracked the door open just wide enough to sneak her arm out and snatch the clothes without stepping into view. Her fingers brushed over a familiar fabric - one of Chris' white shirts.

The faint scent clinging to it hit her immediately: cold cedar, warm skin, and something distinctly masculine.

Drawn in despite herself, Maia found her nose lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. "What the hell am I doing?" She was startled by her own behavior, snapping back to her senses with a jolt.

Heat crept up her neck as she realized how strange she was acting.

Gratefully, it seemed that Chris hadn't noticed her odd little moment.

Suppressing the urge to cringe at herself, Maia pressed her lips into a tight line and quickly slipped the oversized shirt over her head. Only then did she finally push the bathroom door open and step outside.

Inside the dining room, a flicker of surprise crossed Maia's face when she noticed Chris carefully setting the last dish onto the table.

Moving with natural ease, Chris let the warm sunlight from the nearby window wrap around him, creating a soft golden haze that highlighted his handsome face. Once he set down the final plate, Chris glanced up and caught Maia staring at him. A smirk tugged at his lips. "Do I really look that good?"

Turning her gaze away quickly, Maia muttered to herself, "Yeah, you do… pretty good… and weirdly kind too."

"Have a seat." Pulling out a chair for her, Chris placed a fork and knife in front of her and said in a warm, easy voice, "Come on, sit down. You were sleeping so soundly. I figured you must've been exhausted yesterday. I didn't want you to sleep through lunch, so I came back just to make sure you'd eat. Go on, give it a taste."

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Guilt tugged at Maia as she sat at the table, thinking about how she had slipped out the night before.

Even though she had her doubts about Chris' story, she decided not to press for the truth. Instead, she picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of beef. "Well? How is it?"

Watching her from across the table, Chris leaned on one hand, a look of eager curiosity in his eyes.

Without giving much away, Maia reached for another side dish. Her face stayed cool and composed. "It's alright."

"Alright?"

Chris' smile faltered ever so slightly.

He hadn't grabbed just any lunch. These dishes were straight from Windsor's Banquet, the top restaurant in all of Wront. A table there took months to reserve. Michelin-starred chefs ran the kitchen, and Chris had personally arranged for a special delivery just for today. He had pulled some serious strings to get this food delivered. All because he wanted to impress Maia. And yet Maia looked completely unmoved.

Could the delivery have changed the flavor?

Grabbing a forkful himself, Chris sampled Windsor's signature dish. The taste was perfect. No problem there.

Then why did Maia seem completely unmoved?

Chris had been waiting for praise. Now, all he felt was quiet disappointment.

Finishing her meal without much fuss, Maia dabbed at her lips with a napkin and met his gaze. "Thanks for the fancy meal. I'll repay you when I get a chance."

One eyebrow arched in amusement, Chris said, "Since when are you so formal with your husband?"

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