Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 89: Tension built in Maia's hands without her realizing it, her fingers curling into fists. Slowly, she turned toward Ethan, who had been standing silently at her back. Dust clung stubbornly to his skin, and his face, drained of color, looked unbearably fragile.

He was still so young, yet his eyes held the same shadowed pain she knew all too well. Had he, too, spent these last years clawing through the darkness, searching for something - someone - to save him?

Once, Zoey had told Maia that saving had to come from within. That truth had carried her through her worst nights.

But what about Ethan? How had he survived, stranded and forgotten? Without thinking, Maia extended her hand toward him. His skin was freezing, stiff beneath her touch. At the first brush of warmth, he recoiled instinctively. But refusing to let go, Maia tightened her grip and whispered, her voice thick with emotion, "Don't be afraid. It's me. I'm your sister, and I'm here now."

If no one had saved him before, she would be the one to do it. Starting today.

Tears welled up in Ethan's eyes, turning them bright and glassy in an instant. Without warning, he wrenched his hand free and bolted, running away with everything he had, never once looking back.

Ready to chase after Ethan, Maia rose to her feet, but before she could move, Kathie gently caught her by the arm. "Let him be," she said softly. "After what happened four years ago, he's changed. He doesn't talk much anymore. Sometimes he just needs a little space to sort through it all."

Those words made Maia hesitate. Slowly, she sank back into her seat, her gaze settling on Kathie's pale, weary face. "Ms. Marshall, you can't afford to wait any longer. I'll get you and Ethan out of here soon. I'll make sure you get into the best hospital."

A small, weary smile touched Kathie's lips. "Just call me Kathie, like Ethan does. I'm not as bad off as you think. Please don't make yourself carry our burdens too."

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Worry tightened Maia's features as she asked, "I heard something after Rosanna went back to the Morgan family… did you really end up in prison?"

In those early days, after Rosanna was brought back into the Morgan household, they had proudly told the world that Maia would remain part of their family and always be their cherished daughter.

Kathie, heartbroken by Rosanna's behavior, had never expected Maia to return. After all, who would leave behind the comforts of a wealthy family to endure hardship in the slums?

Still, even knowing that, she sometimes found herself asking around for news about Maia.

For Kathie, Maia wasn't just a stranger. She was family - the daughter of her late brother and sister-in-law, a niece she had never even seen.

Hearing Kathie's cautious question, Maia gave a small, bitter smile. "It's true. Rosanna was afraid I'd steal her place in the Morgan family. She set me up, accused me of stealing a piece from Radiant Jewels. To protect their name, the Morgans stripped me of the 'Morgan' surname, told the public that I was from the Watson family, and tossed me into prison. No one ever told me I had a younger brother. I always thought… I was alone in this world."

Shock widened Kathie's eyes, disbelief tightening her expression.

The truth hit her like a punch. She had always assumed that the Morgans treated Maia kindly, seeing her as their real daughter, like they had promised. She hadn't known until now that reality was harsher than anything she had imagined.

Parting her lips to speak, Kathie faltered, searching for words that never quite came. After a long pause, she whispered, "You've endured so much, Maia…"

Over the years, Maia had suffered plenty of injustice, yet she had never shed tears for any of it. She used to believe that none of it deserved her tears.

Hearing Kathie say those words, even on their first meeting, made tears well up in her eyes.

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