Page 44

Like I said, everything felt perfect.

Nothing could ruin this.

Absolutely nothing.

After lunch—my mom, Maya, and I—took a long walk by the sea. The breeze was gentle, the sun warm on our skin, and for a while, time seemed to slow down just for us.

When we got back home, Nelly greeted us and quickly informed us that dinner would be served at seven.

Just like my mom said, Victor wanted us all there.

And maybe it was just in my head, but I felt like this dinner meant something. That something was coming—maybe even something good, or at least that's what I wanted to believe.

"I don't want to deal with this stupid dinner," Maya protested, her voice clipped and tense.

We'd barely spent any time alone together, but now we were cuddled up in my bed, the door shut tight.

I sighed, glancing at her. "Well, it's not like we have a choice, right? I'm sure it won't be that bad."

"That's because you don't know my father yet," her expression hardened.

I ran my hand down her back, trying to soothe her as she curled up against my chest. "Everything went fine with my mom. I don't see why it can't be the same with your father too..."

"I have a bad feeling, Grace," Maya murmured, her voice growing tight and rough against my neck. "He never plans a dinner like this without a reason."

I frowned. It was rare to see Maya actually worried about something. But now, with her arms wrapped around me and that edge in her voice, it felt like something was different.

Maybe it was because she couldn't control it.

She had mentioned before that they didn't really do things like that—like a normal family.

And maybe that's why even something as simple as a dinner feels so heavy to her.

That's really sad.

"Hey..." I said, looking right into her dark eyes, trying my best to sound positive. "It'll be okay, Maya," I reassured her, pulling her closer.

She leaned in, pressing her lips to mine in a slow, lingering kiss. Her mouth was soft and warm, moving gently against mine, like a whispered vulnerability.

When I looked into her eyes again, her tension had melted just enough to let her usual confidence come through.

"It's only five minutes till seven, Maya... we need to head downstairs," I reminded her.

She rolled her eyes, ignoring me and pulling me closer by my waist instead.

"I'm serious," I said, tilting my head, half-smiling at her stubbornness.

I watched her lean back, clearly against her will. "Fine," she groaned. "Wouldn't want to ruin my father's special dinner, right?" she smirked.

I gave her a look. "No, you wouldn't," I said, my voice calm but with a clear edge.

Maya raised an eyebrow, somehow amused by my words. "What about our little discussion?"

"Later," I said, fighting a smile as I tugged her hand. "If you behave."

Maya shot me a teasing smirk and made her way to my lips. "Deal," she said before pressing a kiss that felt like both a promise and a challenge.

We reluctantly pulled ourselves up and left my room. I would've gladly stayed locked in there with her, but we couldn't ignore what was waiting outside.

Before going downstairs, I remembered something that might help ease the tension. I grabbed Maya's arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It's the perfect moment to tell him about your volunteer work at the community center."

I just wanted them to talk like a normal father and daughter.

It feels like there's a wall between them.

Not because they don't care—there's just something off.

I still don't know what it is, but it's there.

Maya stayed still, her gaze locked on mine.

"Promise me you'll tell him," I insisted.

She sighed, giving in. "Okay, Grace. I promise."

I nodded, feeling more hopeful.

As we walked down, the long table immediately caught my attention—elegantly and precisely set, with porcelain plates, each accompanied by gleaming silver cutlery and crystal glasses.

It felt like stepping into another world—one of those perfectly curated worlds that somehow contrasted with Maya's chaotic mind.

I sat across from her, trying not to look at her too much, even though it felt like her eyes were always on me.

Victor sat at the head of the table, near my mom, his face unreadable. His sharp features made it hard to tell what he was really thinking.

"First of all," he began, glancing in my direction once the table was set with all the food. "Grace, your mom told me about your new job at the museum. Congratulations, I'm happy for you."

I smiled, grateful for the unexpected praise. "Thank you," I said, then glanced at her daughter. "Maya really helped me through it. I wouldn't have made it without her support."

Victor looked surprised, giving her a subtle softened glance—but a tense edge still hung in the air.

"Very good," he muttered.

Maya leaned back in her chair, a small smile—barely noticeable—playing on her lips. I gave her a quick nod, nudging her to bring up what she had just promised me. She rolled her eyes.

"Um," she started, casually spinning her fork between her fingers. "There's something you should know."

"Go on, then," Victor said.

"Six months ago, I started volunteering at a community center, helping people with medical tasks," she said quickly and bluntly.

Victor froze for a second, but didn't look angry. "Six months ago?"

"Yes."

"I see..." he took a sip of water, clearly impressed. "Good. That's important—it will help you when you become a doctor."

Maya arched a brow, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She sat up straighter, still processing that rare praise.

It feels like they don't come around often—which made her reaction even more satisfying to watch. It was like seeing her guard drop for a second.

"Alright," Victor cleared his throat. "Since we're all sharing news, I have something to share too..."

Now I could see the change—the guarded look on his face. "I've made a deal to open our third hotel in the city."

Maya didn't flinch or react at all, as if this was just normal routine for her.

But it wasn't for me...

I mean... yeah, who doesn't open another hotel in the city these days?

"The opening is in one week," he said, pausing just a fraction longer than usual. His fingers tapped on the table. "This one's different. I've partnered up with someone."

Maya finally looked up, eyes narrowing slightly. "Who?" she asked calmly.

Victor avoided Maya's gaze before finally saying—

"Crawford."

A chill ran down my spine. My breath caught, my heart slammed against my ribs like a warning drum.

Maya had the same reaction. For a split second, she looked like she couldn't even process what he'd just said. "Crawford?"

Her father nodded once, his expression alert yet showing no hint of emotion.

"Crawford—are you serious?!" Maya shot back, her voice rising with every word. Her fork hit the plate a little too hard. "Nick's father?! You're going into business with Nick's father?"

Victor sighed under his breath, running a hand through his hair.

I remember when Nick's family came to dinner at this house, back when my mom and I had just moved in.

That dinner had been pretty... weird and tense.

Like something suspicious was going on.

And now Victor made a deal with them?

I glanced at Maya, and the shift was immediate. Her calm mask cracked, eyes darkening with anger. She was furious—to say the least—and once it clicked, the storm was unstoppable.

"You wanna know why I'm pissed?" she asked rhetorically, her gaze sharp. "Because that man—and his son—are both assholes!"

"Enough, Maya," Victor said, trying to keep his voice level.

But she didn't back down the slightest. "I'm not done. I haven't even started."

"I said enough," he repeated, more firmly.

"You've got to be kidding me—how could you do this to me?!" Then she turned to me, her expression a mix of frustration and worry.

I gave her a reassuring glance, trying to show her I understood—that I was with her—but silently telling her this wasn't the right time.

"He—I made a deal with Derek Crawford because he's a businessman, that's all," Victor said, trying to brush it off.

"There are plenty of businessmen out there, and you choose him?!" Maya clenched her fists on the table. "Or did he come after you?" Her voice dropped, wary. "You never make deals with anyone. Tell me what the hell is going on."

"This isn't the right time or place to get into details," Victor held his ground. "And above all, it's not something you need to be involved in, Maya," he concluded, voice strained and final.

"No fucking way! I have to be involved!" Maya shot back, leaning forward, eyes blazing. "You don't get to shut me out—not when it's about Nick Crawford and everything he's done—"

Victor suddenly looked at me, trying to figure something out. He seemed strangely hesitant.

"Nick specifically told me to say hello to you, Grace."

That was the final blow.

Maya immediately stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor, making everyone flinch, except me.

"You can specifically tell him that if I see him again, I won't hesitate to make him regret it."

Victor was not as taken aback by Maya's words as I thought he would be. Instead, frustration flickered in his eyes as he shook his head.

"You already did that, Maya, remember?" he asked rhetorically.

Maya didn't bother to respond.

His words echoed inside me, repeating again and again: 'You already did.'

But what exactly?

I locked eyes with her, but she looked away. I swear I'd never seen her body this tense—it was like she was crashing down.

She abruptly turned away and ran up the stairs to her room.

The last thing I heard from her was the door slamming shut.

A/N

I hope you liked this twist ??

A part from the fact that Nick is not dead yet ??