Bonds

Chapter 27

-Maya’s POV-

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. The phone felt heavy in my hand, suddenly a foreign object. “What?” I whispered, the single word escaping my lips in a ragged breath.

The line went dead before I could say anything else. I stared at the phone screen, numb, the gravity of Ivan’s words sinking in.

“Amaya? What’s wrong?” Natalia’s voice cut through the fog of confusion clouding my mind. Her hand shot out to grip mine, “What happened?”

I looked at her, my mouth working soundlessly for a moment. “My father. He has been arrested. Ivan just called. The FBI… they’re investigating him for something.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, “Does he know what it’s about?”

1 shook my head slowly, the room feeling like it was closing in on me. “No. He just said they’re investigating him. He’s coming to pick me up.”

A flicker of worry crossed her face. “Do you w

want me to come with you?” she asked. “Maybe it would be better if you weren’t alone.”

“No. I need to handle this myself. Thank you, though, Natalia. For everything and you too Nathan.”

I know he had gone quiet just like he always did when Natalia and I were having our moment. He nodded giving me a tight smile, “Anytime, Maya.”

Natalia pulled me into a tight hug, her embrace a silent reassurance in the face of the unknown. “Call me when you know more. And whatever happens, you know I’m here for you.”

I clung to her for a moment longer, drawing strength from her unwavering support. Then, I pulled back, wiping at the tears that had welled up in my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to focus. My father needed me, no matter how much I considered him a monster sometimes and whatever ho’d gotten himself into, I had to be there for him.

I told them, my voice thick with emotion. “Ivan’s on

gaze filled with understanding. “We will come

headed for the door. As I stepped out

glance at him once, but he kept his gaze fixed on the road ahead, a storm brewing behind his normally calm eyes. He hadn’t said a single word to me since

do you know?” I finally broke

“Not much. I got a call from a friend in the force.

any

know, Amaya,” He interrupted, his voice laced with frustration. “That’s what we’re

a blur. My mind raced with questions, anxieties, and a growing sense of betrayal. How could

Chapter 27

front of my father’s house, a swarm of police cars and yellow crime scene tape greeted us. The sight of it sent

a few houses down, a silent agreement to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. He took my hand in his,

Taking a deep, shaky breath, I steeled myself for whatever. awaited us inside.

you?” he asked

Amaya Stone,” I said, forcing my voice to remain calm. “This is my husband,

studied us for a beat, then stopped aside, allowing us to enter the house. The first thing that hit me was the chaos. Furniture was overturned, drawers hung open, papers were s c a e r e d everywhere. It looked

questioning my mother. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen, her normally composed face etched with worry and fear. When she saw me, a flicker of relief

rushing towards me. She threw her arms around me, holding me tight as if

moment and she must be going out of her mind but still, it felt foreign. Seeing her like this. Uneasily, I hugged her back, the

said, her voice h o a

“But… how?”

know,” She interrupted, her voice cracking with despair. “I haven’t known what to think. They wouldn’t tell me anything. Just took him

a hand on my shoulder as if sensing my growing unease. “We should let your mom get some rest,” he said

clung to my hand, her eyes pleading. “Don’t

heavy cloak. With a heavy heart, I squeezed her hand back. “We’ll stay,”

on my tongue.

went to help himself to a glass of water, I found myself drawn to a framed photograph on the mantle. The three of us stood together even though it looked forced but still, we stood together. A lump formed in my throat. Suddenly, the weight of the night’s events pressed down on me with renewed force. Alex, my marriage, and now this- my father’s arrest hanging like a dark cloud over