Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase Novel

Chapter 890: He could not deny his feelings for her, even though they left him uncertain. Through it all, only Maia managed to leave an imprint that he couldn't erase. His father couldn't have picked a more strategic time to ship him off to Otruitho, and it was no coincidence that Kiley called right after, her message loaded with urgency. There was no mistaking the plan-they wanted Maia out of his story for good. Most people believed that putting miles between two hearts and letting time pass would make the feelings disappear. That much seemed obvious to his father and sister.

Still, when it came to his feelings, he wasn't so sure. Could he truly erase Maia from his heart just by leaving for Otruitho, even though he was so taken with her? Claudius didn't know the answer. He swallowed, eyes dropping toward the floor. The thumping in his chest grew stronger, as if pushing him to make a choice that he'd regret if ignored. Before his departure, there was one thing he needed to do before packing his bags. Claudius had to find Maia and finally tell her what he truly felt. Even if Maia brushed him off or stood in silence, the words needed to leave his chest.

It was better to let his heart speak than to let regret settle in. Turning his attention to the television, he caught sight of Maia walking right up to Vince, her confidence on full display. A faint smile broke through his serious expression. "I should be brave like her," Claudius silently told himself. Somewhere else, beneath a sky littered with stars, two private vehicles crept into an exclusive club tucked away in the valley. The place offered the quiet comfort of privacy. Inside one of the cars, Maia's head rested against Chris's shoulder.

She slept peacefully, her lashes forming tiny shadows along her cheek as the city lights flickered through the glass. : gⲁⳑ⸱ A pleasant dream seemed to have found her, and Chris could tell by her steady breathing and the soft, contented smile that appeared every now and then. This calm was a far cry from how she'd looked on the plane earlier. Still, both times, she had leaned on his shoulder for support. Whatever they were before, things between them had shifted. They'd grown a little closer. Lost in these thoughts, Chris nearly missed the moment to wake her.

He nudged her gently and spoke in a low voice. "We're here." Maia's eyes blinked open, and she wrinkled her brow as if the drive hadn't taken long at all. "That was fast." Right away, she let out a yawn and gave a long, sleepy stretch, as though she could have used more rest. Chris watched her with a small grin, his eyes meeting hers. "You've been out for almost thirty minutes." Just then, Maia's stomach let out a rumble. Clearly, she was ready for dinner. . . .