“Maya.” Aria gave an apologetic smile. “I was going stir crazy in the hospital, so jamie invited me along, I get carsick, so I need to sit up front.. you don’t mind, your
Maya’s h
a’s hand froze in midair before she withdrew it. “Not at all.-||
She quietly slid into the back seat, watching the intimate silhouettes in front of her.
James solicitously adjusted the air conditioning for Aria and handed her a neck pillow.
All these small gestures of care–once reserved for her–now belonged to someone else.]]
At the reception, James focused entirely on Aria, oblivious to the stares and whispers directed at Maya||
Snippets of conversation reached her ears-||
Poor Mr. Wilson, so devoted to his wife, and she ends up pregnant by one of the kidnappers..“]]
I thought both women were assaulted? |
“Assault? Why want Arta assaulted then? They were kidnapped together. Maya obviously threw herself at those men.”
always knew she was trouble. Seduced those criminals to save her own skin. Left or James so distraught he had one drunken night with Aria, and now she’s pregnam…
100
Chapter 4
Maya stood pale as a ghost, her nails digging into her palms.]]
She had no idea the rumors had grown so outrageous, transforming her listo such a despicable character in their Extricated story:
As she turned to leave, a group of socialites blocked her path |
“Leaving so sons. Mrs. Wilson? The party’s just beginning. |
“Come join us for some fan–“[]
Their idea of “fun” quickly revealed itself–wine deliberately spilled on her dress, “accidental” shoves, until someone finally pushed her directly into the swimming pool!]
SPLASH!
The freezing water
g water engulfed her instantly. Pain shot through her nose as water rushed in, triggering an instinctive struggle as her fingers desperately claved at
the pool’s edge.
Just as she was about to reach the nm, a hand with bright red manicured nails pressed down on her head, forcing her hack underwater.
“Help… please. I can’t-
“Help? No one’s coming to save you! Do you know how many women would kill to be with James? He loved you more than life itself and this is how you repay hing You filthy whore–you deserve to die right here![]
Water flooded her airways, blackness creeping into her vision as she struggled to breathe.
dut more suffocating than the water were their cruel words ]
She was promiscuous? Disgraceful? James loved her more than life?
What a jolie. An aboard, terrible joke!
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING!T||
A furious shout out through the chaos, and suddenly the pressure on her head vanished..
Through blurred vision, May saw James rushing toward her like a madman
She almost wanted to laugh. Why was he panicking?
7 Wasn’t this the very
james pulled her from the water and turned on the crowd in furyl
“Have you all lost your minds? This is my WIFE you’re attacking“]
“Mr. Wilson, we couldn’t stand by while she betrayed you–|
y situation he had orchestrated?
““ENOUGair” James didn’t correct their misunderstanding: Instead, he declared calilly: “Even if the child Maya carries is from her kidnappers, I will only ever love ber. That will never change, not in this lifetimet“||
Amid murmurs of Mr. Wilson is so devoted, he tried the soaking wet Maya away
In a private room, James brought dry towels and began gently drying her hair.||
I know you’ve been wronged. I’ve falled you. His voer was tender. “I promise something like this will never happen again.“||
“Just hold on a little longer, thote Aria has the baby. Til send her abroad. Then we can go back to how things were before, okay?“]
Not okay
There was no poing back. There was no future either.]
vant to go home.“[]
Maya spoke, exhaustion evident in every word: “I want
take
