Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 574:

Chris didn’t respond right away.

After a beat, he lifted his gaze, eyes crinkling with a smirk of exaggerated defeat. “How about we stop competing over who had the worse past? Just once, let’s compare something that doesn’t involve near-death or a rap sheet.”

His voice dropped as he leaned in, eyes clouded by something darker.

Another inch closer, and the tension thickened.

With slow precision, his fingers reached for her face, brushing lightly across the soft curve of her lips. “If we’re comparing, why not see who gives in first?”

Before the words fully settled, he closed the distance and kissed her. This one held no hesitation. It was bold, fierce — a kiss that claimed rather than questioned.

Whatever doubts still lingered inside her were drowned in that moment, replaced by a flood of something warmer.

All the unrest that had made

moon spilled its light like molten silver, scattering over the water in a shimmer of

the room, faint wall sconces spilled golden light across the walls, casting overlapping shadows that danced together like a

— that if the world came at him

asked of her. It was also about rescuing a version of herself that she

already on their way to the Primary

chapters at

filtered through the trees, while a crisp breeze swept gently

lightweight trench coat, Maia moved with steady grace, her features serene and collected. Although her gaze appeared steady, it kept drifting toward Chris, especially the clean lines of his profile. The warmth of his kiss still clung to her lips, sending a gentle pink hue to her cheeks. It felt

more relaxed. The change suited him, giving off an easy charm that felt

watched him. “It

my side, what’s there to be nervous about?”

stood out as a true expert, widely respected across the region. Since he began practicing at the Primary