Page 46

I made my way back to Maya's room, feeling an ache in my chest just thinking about everything that happened.

But I masked my worry and acted like nothing. I had to be strong for her—for once. Because Maya's the strongest.

When I opened the door, she was leaning against the headboard, her gaze distant, her lips pressed tight. But the moment she saw me, she straightened up, and her expression softened.

I handed her the plate. "Eat," I said softly.

I sat down on her left and started eating too, hoping it would encourage her. It was clear she was eating for me—to make me happy, but in the end, she finished almost everything without a word.

I took the plate from her hands and felt a small sense of accomplishment. But now, I had to say something I knew she wouldn't like.

"Hey..." I started, sitting back down and taking her hand. "You need to promise me something."

Her precise stare met mine, and I knew I had her attention.

"Tell me," she said.

"Promise me you'll stay away from Nick," I said firmly.

Her eyes narrowed, and she shook her head sharply, jaw tightening. I held her hand firmly, refusing to let her pull away.

"I'm serious, Maya. I don't want you getting in trouble for anyone—not anymore—especially not him," I insisted.

"I don't care if I get in trouble, Grace," she retorted.

"Well, I do," I said, holding onto her hand tighter.

"I won't back down, Grace," she shot back, voice steady. "Something's wrong, and I'm not letting it slide," she added, almost final.

Her eyes locked on mine, like she'd already made up her mind.

I hated watching her struggle—seeing her in pain, yet holding on so stubbornly, refusing to let it go.

"You've been through so much these past years, Maya," I said softly, searching her eyes, "but you don't have to keep your guard up when you're with me."

Maya held my gaze intensely. "You're the only one I ever let my guard down for, Grace. I'm defenseless when it comes to you."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady the flutter in my chest. "Then why won't you let it go? Like I asked you?"

Maya bit her lip, tension tightening her jaw. "Because I still need control, Grace. I need to be sure things are different before I can fully let go."

I looked away for a moment, shaking my head, overwhelmed and desperate, barely holding it together.

"What about the feelings I have for you? What do they mean if you're holding on so tight?"

Her eyes instantly lit up, a warm smile spreading across her face—her once darkened expression now glowing.

"You have feelings for me, Grace?" she asked, her eyebrow lifted, but there was no malice in her words.

I immediately looked down, cheeks burning after spilling my confession.

"Because I have really strong feelings for you, Grace," she said softly.

I looked up again and caught her smiling—a gentle, knowing smile that seemed to reach deep into me, making my heart skip a beat.

"I have really strong feelings for you too, Maya," I finally said.

Maya immediately leaned in, wrapping me in a tight hug, her lips brushing softly against my cheek and then trailing down to my neck.

She held my gaze with longing, tracing every line of my face. Slowly, she leaned in, her lips pressing against mine. Our bodies melted closer on the mattress as she hovered above me.

"Your feelings mean the world to me, Grace," she breathed softly in my ear. "Holding on tight is how I show I care."

I looked into her eyes, feeling the vulnerability there, and realized how much it meant to her.

It was something so powerful she just couldn't let it go.

"You get me?" Maya asked quietly, hopeful.

"Yes..." I whispered back. "I do."

"Thank you, Grace," she said, pressing a slow kiss to my cheek that trailed to my earlobe.

I couldn't stop the soft moan that slipped out.

Her hand stroked my cheeks, then slowly, carefully hovered above my chest as she held my gaze.

"Can I touch you here?" she asked softly.

I gave a nod, unable to speak from my growing excitement.

Maya's hand started moving gradually, her fingers massaging over my breast through the fabric of my dress, exploring every curve with a careful, lingering stroke.

A warm tingling spread through me—her touch alone was enough to set my skin on fire.

Maya caught my reaction and bit her lower lip, desire growing in her gaze as my face flushed with anticipation.

"Maybe we could take these dresses off," she said, her voice low, unhurried. "Only if you're okay with it."

"Maybe we could..." I murmured.

Maya smiled, lifting herself slightly. Her fingers grazed the zipper of her dress, slowly pulling it down. Her body inches from mine as I watched her undress—unable to look away.

She knew exactly what she was doing. She slid the dress over her stomach, then up past her neck, and finally down her arms.

She wore black lace lingerie with intricate, pretty patterns.

Her body was just breathtaking—soft and sexy. Round, firm breasts, a flat curve to her stomach, long legs, and warm bronze skin—

Her skin was perfect.

Mine wasn't.

It could never be. Not after what I had done.

My arms were marked in scars that had faded over time, but they were still there.

A map of my mistakes—reminders I couldn't erase.

I don't like my skin.

I don't like my body.

I'm such a fucking mess.

"Grace?" she asked.

I'm spiraling.

I can't do this.

"I need to get up, Maya—I can't breathe," I stammered, voice hitched.

Maya flinched. "Okay..." she replied, her voice hesitant, alarmed. Her eyes searched my face for answers I wasn't sure how to give.

She immediately moved off me and gave me space to get up.

I started pacing back and forth, trying to catch my breath, but it didn't help. My chest felt tight, and with every passing second, my heart pounded faster, louder.

"Grace, what's going on?" Maya's fingers brushed gently against my arm as she stepped closer, trying to make me look at her.

"I'm fine," I said.

"No, you're not fine, Grace. You can barely breathe," she said, her tone firm yet gentle. She took my hand, urging me to sit on the bed. "Sit, please, I'll get you some water."

She filled a glass with water and knelt in front of me, handing it over. Her eyes stayed on me the whole time as I drank, and only when I finished did I start to breathe more evenly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to put any pressure on you. Forgive me." She reached out, carefully tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Oh, no," I shook my head. "Maya, you did not push me. This—this isn't about you. It's about me," I said firmly.

Her hand immediately found mine and squeezed it, her thumb brushing gently against my skin. "You only have to tell me what you want," she said. "But give me something—anything."

She doesn't rush me. Instead, her gaze stays steady, patient, like she's holding space just for me.

But my throat felt tight—the words felt stuck. "I-I don't know if I can..." I murmured, voice barely audible.

"Yes. Yes, you can," Maya replied instantly. "You can do whatever you want, Grace," her voice calm and sure, as if she believed it enough for both of us.

The reassurance in her words, the warmth of her hand in mine—it all grounded me, softening the tight knot in my chest.

And for the first time... I think I might be ready.

I want her to know that part of my life.

I want her to know me—every broken part too.

Because I truly trust her... with all of my heart.

"It's about what you saw when you treated that wound on my arm," I began.

This was it. The moment I let her in.

"The scars," I decided to say it out loud.

Her eyes darkened at the memory, but she didn't pull away or look at me with pity. Instead, her thumb kept tracing slow, steady circles against my palm.

"Sometimes, I..." I hesitated, swallowing hard before speaking. "I don't like myself. Like, not just how I look—but everything about me. It feels like I'm not good enough—physically, emotionally, professionally."

Maya didn't say anything. She just looked at me—really looked at me. Close and quiet, not pushing or try to fill the silence with words.

"The way I see myself sometimes... it's like I'm still stuck in that old version of me I don't want to be anymore," I said, shaking my head as the words spilled out. "It's like no matter what I do, I can't escape who I was... or who I'm afraid I'll still be."

"Oh, Grace..." Maya's eyes closed for a brief moment as if she was trying to endure the pain of what I was telling her.

"I started hurting myself—my arm. I thought it was the only way to deal with the pain I couldn't express," I kept speaking as if the words were pouring out on their own.

I couldn't stop myself.

"That's why my mom insisted I leave Ohio and come here with her, even though I'm twenty. She knew something was wrong about me..."

"Grace..." Maya shook her head.

"I wanted to cover them up," I said desperately. "I just... didn't want you to see them again, Maya. It's not about you—it's me."

"Grace," Maya said firmly.

I finally stopped talking, her voice pulling me back to reality.

Her dark eyes softened as she leaned in, cupping my face in her hands. "You don't have to hide from me, sweetheart. I don't care about scars," she assured, her thumb gently brushing against my cheek. "They're just a part of what you've been through—not who you are now."

A tear slipped down my cheek. It's just... hard to believe anyone could see me like that. Yet she does it so effortlessly.

"Grace, you're beautiful inside and out. You're so much stronger than you think. I just wish you could see it too."

I finally let myself go and cried on her bare shoulder as she gathered me in her arms, stroking my hair and back.

"But—I'm damaged. It feels like the damage is still happening inside me," I whispered through my burning tears.

"You're not damaged, Grace. You're healing."

And just hearing her say it made something shift inside me.

Like I'm not trapped anymore.

Like I truly believe I can be whole again. Not broken, not lost.

I leaned into her, hugging her with the least strength I had, but she held me even tighter—just like I wanted.

"I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart," her voice calm as it soothed my tears. "I'm here, with you."

I leaned back, meeting her gaze as she carefully caressed my cheeks, wiping away my tears.

"I'm so proud of you for finally speaking up, Grace. You're brave and strong," she said, her voice calming me down. "Say it with me."

"I'm brave and strong," I whispered.

"That's right, Grace. There's nothing wrong with you. You're enough just as you are."

I'm enough just as I am.

I held onto those words like a lifeline, letting them settle into the parts of me that never believed it before.

"I'm sorry for earlier," I whispered.

"Don't be, Grace," Maya said firmly. "We're going to take things at our pace—there's no rush."

"Is that not a problem for you?" I asked, relieved.

"No, it's not. I promise you. The only thing I care about is making sure you feel comfortable and safe," she affirmed, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"I am safe with you, Maya."

She smiled, and we stayed like that for what felt like forever—my face resting against her chest, her arms wrapped around me, grounding me, caressing me endlessly.

"I really don't want to sleep alone," I whispered, the words escaping before I could stop them.

"Sleep with me—I mean, near me," Maya replied softly.

I quickly nodded, locking eyes with her, feeling that familiar warmth wash over me again.

"I need pajamas, I'm going to get them in my—"

"I'll give you mine," Maya interrupted me, getting up quickly, walking toward her drawer, and pulling out a black pajama set with lace edges.

She also grabbed a large T-shirt for her and put it on.

"You can change in my bathroom." She smiled.

I froze for a moment, stunned. Without even trying, she saw right through me—she just understood.

Her pajamas were soft and sleek, and they smelled fresh and floral.

I did as she told me, and when I came out of her bathroom wearing them, I found her sitting among the blankets, her eyes already on me.

"Beautiful," she said, smiling.

"Your pajamas are beautiful..." I blushed.

"No, you're beautiful, Grace. Come here now..." She reached out her hand, and I took it as she pulled me close, making me lie next to her and tucking the sheets over us.

I buried my face in her shoulder, my voice calm, my heart peaceful. "We poured our hearts out to each other."

"Yes, we did, Grace," Maya started stroking my hair.

I snuggled into the curve of her neck, letting out a relieved sigh as she kept running her fingers through my hair.

"Sleep now," she said, her voice a lullaby.

And just like that, I melted into her arms, drifting off—knowing this was where I belonged, my favorite place to sleep from now on.

A/N

This part is really close to my heart—I hope it touches you the same way it did me.

See yaa ????