Bonds

Chapter 107

-Maya’s POV-

I don’t know how long I stood there staring blankly at the closed gates. My legs felt like lead weights, stuck in place. Finally, I managed to tear my gaze away and somehow forced my feet to move. It felt more like dragging myself than walking, but inch by inch, I made my way to Natalia’s house.

The head of security officers said something to me, but it was like background noise, a distant murmur I couldn’t focus on. My brain had shut down, overloaded with the emotional blow.

en I reached Natalia’s doorstep, I fumbled with the keys, my hands shaking so badly it took several tries to unlock the door. Even the simple act of turning the knob felt like a monumental task.

As I stumbled inside, the sound of the twins‘ happy shrieks filled the air. They spotted me right away and came barreling towards me, their little arms wrapped around my legs in a tight hug then got distracted almost immediately. Their innocent joy was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

Natalia appeared in the doorway, her brow furrowed in concern. One look at my tear–streaked face told her everything she needed to know. Without a word, she reached out and pulled me into a tight hug. We just stood there for a while, the only sound the muffled sobs escaping my lips and the faint pitter–patter of tiny feet as the twins ran off to continue playing.

The warmth of her embrace offered a sliver of comfort in the vast emptiness that had opened up inside me. Finally, she gently pulled back, her eyes searching mine.

“Come here, heney,” she whispered softly, leading me to the couch and settling me down. We sat there in silence for a while, a silent language passing between us, a shared understanding that transcended words.

Natalia eventually rose and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a steaming mug of coffee. She placed it carefully in my hands, her touch lingering for a moment. Then, she sat down beside me on the couch.

“I gave you some time to calm down. Now, tell me exactly what happened.”

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. “He said he wants a divorce,” the words tumbled out, raw and shaky.

“Why? Because of what happened at the gala?” Her question wasn’t accusatory, but I knew she was still upset with me.

I nodded slowly, unable to meet her gaze. She didn’t speak for a moment, her face unreadable. Then, she sighed.

“Did you tell him you don’t want the marriage to end? Did you tell him how you feel?” There was a pointed edge to her voice now, a hint of

frustration.

always had this uncanny ability to see right through me. She didn’t need me to spell things out; my emotions were always laid bare on my face like an

…I

“He asked me if I still loved Alex. I wanted to say no, but

groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Oh, Amaya,”

into silence, a heavy weight settling over the room. My mind was a chaotic mess, swirling with questions and self- recrimination. Natalia seemed to be deep in thought

Chapter 107

broke the silence. “Where is

things out,” I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper. “I can’t let this be the end, Natalia. I can’t lose him. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself,” Fresh tears welled up in my eyes, spilling

took the coffee cup from my hand, placing it on the coffee table. Then, she pulled me back into her embrace,

subsided, leaving behind a trail of exhaustion and a throbbing ache in my head.

can’t see me

and talk

flicker of worry still lingering in her eyes. I knew she was biting her tongue, refraining from mentioning Alex again. We both

shower,” she ushered me towards the bathroom. “It’ll help you freshen up. You can throw on some of

scene of my shattered world, was more than could bear right now. The simple

hot water cascaded down my body, but it did little to wash away the coldness that had settled in my heart. As I

Finding Ivan.

and a set of her baggy clothes as I stepped out of the shower. They were far too big on me, but the soft fabric felt comforting against my raw skin. After drying off and pulling on the clothes, I looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection

awful,” I mumbled, the words catching in

out and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “You look like someone who’s been through a lot, honey. But you’re strong, Amaya. You’ll get through

words were kind, but the doubt gnawed at me. Was I strong enough? Could I

I forced myself to push those doubts aside for now. I needed to focus on finding Ivan. “Do you have any idea which hotel he might be at?” I asked, a flicker of hope igniting in my

few luxury hotels in the area he might choose from. We can start by

in

washed over me. At least there was a plan. We spent the next hour on the phone, calling each hotel on a list Natalia compiled. I knew she knew this city way more than anyone I knew. Disappointment followed disappointment with each negative response. Just when i was

Meridian! They say a Mr. Ivan McCall checked in about an hour ago.” Her voice held a