Bonds

Chapter 96

-Maya’s POV-

The cinnamon buns were amazing, just like Ivan promised. But the delightful sweetness couldn’t quite erase the bitter aftertaste of reality waiting for me back at his office. Stepping through the door, my good mood vanished faster than a sprinkle on a hot pastry: Miranda sat there, casually scrolling through her phone, looking perfectly at home in Ivan’s office chair.

Ivan was the first to react, his voice tight with annoyance, “Miranda, what are you doing here? And how many times do I have to tell you not to just waltz in here?”

She looked up, her eyes flickering between Ivan and me before a slow, smug grin spread across her face. I might have known her for only a

few months, well hardly knew her but I knew I would never like her. Everything about her rubbed me the wrong way and I wanted to slap the grin off her stupid face..

Pushing herself out of the chair, she walked towards us, arms outstretched. I watched with a mixture of apprehension and annoyance as Ivan visibly stiffened under her touch. “I’m sure you’ve seen the news already,” she chirped, her voice dripping with false sweetness, “but I just

wanted to tell my big brother in person.”

Her hands remained firmly wrapped around Ivan while her eyes drilled into mine. The smugness on her face only intensified the urge to wipe

the smile off with the back of my hand.

“So,” she continued, finally pulling away, still managing to keep her gaze locked on me, “how have you been?”

Ivan let out a tired sigh. “Miranda, I’m not in the mood for your games today. We have work to do. Congratulations on the wedding.” He then turned to me, a genuine smile warming his features. “Come on, Amaya, let’s get back to it.”

Miranda’s playful facade faltered for a second, replaced by a flash of imitation. Her arms crossed tightly, and the smugness morphed into at scowl. “That’s all you have to say?” she huffed, her voice dripping with disappointment.

He shot her a pointed look. “Is there anything else I need to say? Anything specific you expect from me?”

“You know exactly what I mean, Ivan,” she retorted, her voice rising a notch. “You’re being so annoying! And then you add her to the mix? Now you’re just plain irritating!”

“Mirandal” Ivan’s voice boomed, a warning laced with his exasperation.

She ignored him, turning back to me with a pointed question, “Aren’t you even going to congratulate me?”

the air, a challenge I refused to acknowledge. Ignoring her completely felt like the

and uncomfortable. She tapped her foot impatiently, her smugness slowly giving way to frustration, Ivan,

huffed dramatically. “Finel Be that way. I don’t even want the two of you at the

anyway.

her with a bang that rattled the windows. Ivan let out a long breath, the

10:32 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 96

word barely a whisper.

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his chair. “Come on, sit down. Let’s try to get some actual work done before she decides to grace us with another

the events of the last few minutes

assistant but i could tell his head was somewhere else. I stopped him, placing my hand on his. He looked up at me, clearly not expecting the touch. I gave him

talk about it.”

sigh running a hand through his hair,

what happened with your parents.” I paused a bit when I saw the pain flash in his eyes, “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk

smiled sadly, “I want

softly, “You told me Miranda witnessed it, but did you see it too?

he nodded slowly. His body trembled, and

through quicksand. I climbed onto his lap, molding my body to his, ignoring the fact that we were

and his pain.

closer, his arms wrapping tightly around me. We stayed like that for a long time, the

attack. I remember the sounds, the growling, the

deep breath, his

they… His voice cracked, and

closer, my

was so traumatized. She didn’t speak for months after. that. And

was laced with pain

remember the smell of blood, the feeling of being so small and helpless. And the sounds…the sounds still haunt me. Miranda and 1, we were all each other had left. We clung to each other, trying to

him tighter, my heart aching

be strong for her, but