Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 566:

Maia dug into her bag, her fingers gently tapping the screen, the light casting a soft glow on her fragile face.

Like being pulled by an invisible hand, she started scrolling through missed calls and messages, holding onto a tiny spark of hope. Maybe Chris’ birthday wishes had gotten buried under all the other alerts.

But as she flicked through every message one after another, her fingers finally paused on the last text from Chris: “I finished the dinner you made. Are you coming home tonight?” Nothing more.

That small hope she’d been holding onto quietly slipped away, deep inside her chest.

Maia shifted her eyes toward the window. The passing lights flickered in her dark gaze, her fingers curled slightly as a deep, hard-to-name ache settled in her chest.

There was a time when even her smallest moves would blow up online, and Chris never missed a beat.

Even if it was some silly meme or a half-hearted “Happy Birthday” text, she would feel happy and believe that he cared.

But now? Nothing at all.

truly

just not

driver’s voice snapped her

free from the daze, whispered a quiet thank you, handed over the fare,

past, stirring loose strands of hair near her temples. She tilted her head up,

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darted briefly, and a bitter feeling crept into her chest.

than she expected. The soft tap of her heels on the concrete stairs sounded louder than usual, making the weight in

watch. It was ten minutes to midnight. In just ten minutes,

The key twisted

the door and flipped the light switch, but the room

are out?”

her temple and let out

it. It’s too late. I’ll deal with

the entrance, took off her jacket, and