The club lights blurred into colors as Maya and Adrian stood face to face.
Too close.
Too intense.
Too much left unsaid.
"You promised," Maya said softly, her voice almost lost in the music.
"No more secrets."
Adrian nodded, but his eyes were restless—as if he was fighting something invisible.
"I will tell you," he said. "Tonight. I swear. But first… let me get you out of here."
Maya frowned. "Why?"
Before he could answer—
A familiar laugh cut through the noise.
Slow. Confident. Dangerous.
"Running already, Adrian?"
Maya turned sharply.
Shiya stood a few feet away, dressed in black, wine glass in hand, eyes glittering with satisfaction. She looked calm—too calm—like someone who had already won.
Maya's heartbeat spiked.
So this is her.Shiya vs Maya — Silent War
"So you're Maya," Shiya said, looking her up and down, a fake smile on her lips.
"The girl everyone's suddenly protecting."
Adrian stepped in front of Maya instantly.
"Don't."
Shiya raised a brow. "Relax. I'm just curious."
Maya didn't step back.
"I know who you are," Maya said quietly.
"And I know you don't belong in his present."
Shiya laughed softly. "Oh sweetheart… I built his past. You're just standing in the middle of it."
That's when Adrian snapped.
"Enough," he said sharply.
"You don't get to talk to her like that."
The room felt smaller.
Shiya tilted her head. "Then tell her. Go on. Tell her everything."
Maya's eyes searched Adrian's face.
"Everything… what?"
Adrian opened his mouth—
But Emila's voice suddenly cut inpanicked.
"Maya!"
They turned.
Emila was swaying, clearly drunk, Alex holding her shoulders, anger and fear mixed in his eyes.
"I told you to stop drinking," Alex said through clenched teeth.
"Don't control me!" Emila shouted back, tears spilling. "I just wanted to feel chosen."
Alex froze.
Those words hit harder than any slap.
Nearby, Lila stumbled, Max catching her just in time.
"You scared me," Max said, voice low and rough.
"I thought I was losing you."
Lila looked up at him, eyes glossy.
"Then don't disappear when I need you."
He pulled her closer, forehead resting against hers.
A kiss followed—desperate, emotional—inside the car outside the club.
Love fueled by fear.The Breaking Point
Back inside, Maya looked at Adrian again.
"Your world is burning," she said.
"And I'm standing in the middle of it without answers."
Adrian's chest tightened.
This was it.
Shiya leaned in, whispering just loud enough—
"Tell her about the deal, Adrian.
Tell her what you did to save someone you loved."
Maya's breath caught.
"Deal?"
Adrian closed his eyes.
"Yes," he said finally.
"There was a deal."
Silence.
"I was engaged to Shiya because of it.
I stayed quiet because of it.
And I walked away from everything I wanted… because of it."
Maya felt like the floor dropped beneath her.
"And now?" she asked.
Adrian stepped closer, voice breaking.
"Now I choose you. Even if it destroysme."
Shiya's smile faded—for the first time.
"You're making a mistake," she warned.
Adrian looked at Maya, unwavering.
"No," he said.
"I'm finally making the right one."
Maya didn't know whether to cry… or kiss him… or run.
All she knew—
Nothing would ever be simple again.
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