Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 568:

That last pose from Maia and Chris’ dance hung in the photo like time had hit pause.

Maia’s expression still carried a trace of wonder. When she looked back, she caught Chris smiling softly — there was something steady and inviting about it, like he was quietly pulling her into his orbit. The whole moment felt like a dream, or something out of a painting.

Chris bent down to pick up the photo that was still warm from earlier and walked back to Maia. Handing it to her, he said, “I thought we should have a keepsake to mark your birthday. It’s the first time I’ve celebrated one with you — but it won’t be the only time.”

Maia tilted her head down and let her eyes rest on the picture.

In the snapshot, golden stars caught the light and sparkled, like stardust captured in a still frame. It looked so delicate, almost like it belonged to another world.

Maia was suddenly hit by a rush of feeling that rose up from deep inside. Everything from before — the mixed signals, the letdowns, the hurt — seemed to dissolve in the tenderness of now.

“This is what I’m giving you for your birthday,” Chris said softly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze brushing through willow branches. “It may not be as extravagant as fireworks, light shows, or jewelry, but this represents the true feelings from the bottom of my heart.”

for a beat, like the ground

on it

what time she’d be back tonight — he’d

even noticed, Maia’s eyes welled

new content now

at her birthday banquet, but none of them had touched her heart the way this one did. What Maia had yet to realize was

give her beauty. He was offering something deeper — love, honest and

nearby. “I folded every single one myself. Each one carries a wish I made

face, lighting up his eyes. They

moment, Maia couldn’t get a single word out.

moments like this in her daydreams.

ever made even one for her —

the same time,