Bonds

Chapter 34

-Maya’s POV-

He stared at me, his face a mask of complete and utter blankness. It was as if someone had flipped a switch, erasing all emotion from his features. The intensity that had flared in his eyes just moments ago was gone, replaced by a cold, impassive indifference. A beat of silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. I held my breath, waiting for a reaction, any kind of reaction. But there was none. It was as if I hadn’t spoken at all.

Then, as if suddenly remembering his purpose for being there, he cleared his throat, the sound harsh and grating. “Your father will…” he began, but I cut him off before he could finish the sentence.

“Don’t you dare talk about my father right now! Didn’t you hear what I just said to you?”

He let out a sigh, a sound of weary exasperation. “I came here to help because I know you’re not involved in this,” he said, his voice flat. “I didn’t come to talk about your feelings.”

His words were like a fresh spark igniting the tinderbox of my emotions. “My feelings?” I spat the word back at him, incredulous. “Are you kidding me, Alex?”

“Amaya,” he started, but I wasn’t finished. This wasn’t the time for his patronizing tone. Not now.

“Don’t you dare say my name,” I growled, my voice laced with a dangerous edge. “You know what? Leave.”

His eyes narrowed a fraction, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. “What?”

“You heard me. I said leave. Get out. I don’t need your help. The Stones are garbage, so why don’t you just stay away from us?”

The words tasted like ash in my mouth, each one a betrayal of the raw emotions that had just spilled out of me. But something had shifted within me, a deep–seated anger rising to the surface. This wasn’t the Alex I knew. This cold, emotionless stranger staring back at me was a far cry from the man I had fallen in love with. He remained silent for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Then, he spoke, his voice devoid of any warmth. “You’re making an unnecessary scene. Stop shouting.”

The calmness in his voice only served to fuel my rage. “Stop shouting?” You barge in here, act like you care, and then dismiss my feelings like they’re nothing? How dare you?”

I stared at him, searching his face for a trace of the Alex I knew, the man I had loved. But there was nothing. Just this cold, calculating stranger. He knew he could be an asshole, cold and ruthless but he was different with me. I was his soft spot. His weakness. His silver. A horrifying realization dawned on me. The Alex I loved… he was gone.

And if he was gone, then why was he here?

What did he want from me?

question hung heavy in the air, a challenge. Why was he here, inserting himself into this mess?

it annoyance? Hesitation? It was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual

INSTALL

said, his voice clipped. “You’re

unsettling, slithered into my mind. He had always loathed my father. Their animosity was a constant undercurrent in our relationship. And yet, here he was, adamant about

to do with this?” The question

in the atmosphere. For a fleeting moment, a flicker of guilt flickered across his face, a chink in his armor. It was gone so quickly I almost doubted I’d seen it, but it was enough. Enough to confirm my

word exploded from me, a mixture of disbelief and betrayal. “You had something to do with this, didn’t you? This whole thing… my father being investigated…

tight, but the silence itself

me.

this far? Couldn’t you have just… I don’t know… done something else to get back at him that did not involve

Amaya. And the only reason he’s even still alive is because

word tasted like ash in my mouth. Grateful that he’d entangled me in his twisted game of

life without a single thought for how

of something akin to pain crossing his features. But it was quickly masked by his

weren’t supposed to

the risk, and then act now you are here to what? Play knight in shinning armor to the

I cut

My voice was shaky with a mixture of anger and exhaustion. “I don’t want to hear it. Just get out.

moment, his

You’ve done enough damage already. Just stay out

out a tired sigh,

scoffed. “Enlighten me then, Alex. Because from where I’m sitting, it seems pretty clear.

beat of silence followed. Then, with a slow, deliberate movement, he stood

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Chapter 34

he moved closer. His scent surrounded me

this. When I took down your father’s company, I…” He trailed off, frustration