Chapter 13
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The next morning, Maya went to the gallery with James.
“Here, drink some water.” James handed her a bottle, his voice gentle.
Maya glanced at him sideways. James was unusually dressed up today in a proper suit.
He noticed her looking and cleared his throat softly, maintaining that careful distance he always kept. It made her
feel safe.
“Thanks.” Maya said quietly. “What made you think of asking me to the gallery?”
“Grace mentioned you’d been wanting to check out the exhibitions here but never found the right time.”
Maya hadn’t realized Grace shared these little details with James.
What surprised her more was that James actually remembered them.
When they reached a small café, James suddenly said, “Let’s take a break.”
They sat across from each other, and James suddenly pulled out a small jewelry box, sliding it across the table.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
Maya opened it to find an elegant bookmark inside.
There was an engraving on the back:
So glad I met you, Maya.
Maya looked up at James. Ever since she’d arrived in London, there had been Grace’s religiously consistent coffee dates, James’s perfectly timed rides when he was “just passing by.”
She’d always assumed it was out of sympathy. Now she understood…
There had been deeper meaning all along that she hadn’t picked up on.
ames met her gaze steadily, his expression open. “I know about you and Camden.”
Maya’s fingers tightened involuntarily.
That name still had the power to shake her, no matter when she heard it.
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I Ghosted Him and He Lost Everything Looking for Me
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Chapter 13
James continued, clarifying his words. “I’m not trying to pry. I just want you to know–I’ve seen you in so many different moments, I know your past, and I like you. Not just who you are now, but everything that came before too.”
The sudden confession left Maya completely flustered.
She looked at James, seeing nothing but sincerity in his eyes.
Her past made it impossible to open her heart again, but she couldn’t bear to hurt him either.
“I need time,” was all she could manage to say.
James seemed to relax, showing no sign of disappointment. “Did I hear that right? Are you giving me a chance? It’s okay, take all the time you need. I’ve got patience–a year, ten years, as long as you’ll let me wait.”
Leaving the gallery, Maya’s emotions were far more tangled than when they’d arrived. James’s confession was like a stone thrown into the lake of her heart that had finally found some peace, sending ripples everywhere.
She walked mechanically toward the parking area, not watching where she stepped. Her foot caught the edge of a curb and she nearly fell.
James caught her just in time, his arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest to steady her.
They were so close that Maya’s face was pressed against his shirt.
She heard James’s worried voice above her. “You okay?”
Maya was about to answer when a familiar voice cut through the air: “Maya.”
That voice made her body go rigid instantly.
After a long moment, she slowly turned to see Camden standing not far away, rolling luggage beside him–clearly he’d come straight from the airport.
He strode over quickly, pointing at James, his voice low and cold with anger. “Who the hell is he?”
Maya felt James’s arm still steady around her–he hadn’t let go when Camden appeared, but he hadn’t tightened his grip either.
Maya finally found her voice. She straightened up, her gaze settling on Camden with unexpected calm detachment.
“Mr. Harrington, we’re divorced. This is my business and none of your concern.”
Before seeing Maya, Camden had imagined a thousand different scenarios for their reunion. He’d thought there might be blame, resentment, tears–but he’d never imagined Maya would be this cold toward him.
They used to be married. Was he the only one still hung up on what they’d had?
“Maya.” Camden stared at her in disbelief. “Do you hear yourself right now?”
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Chested Him and He Lost Everthing looking tor Me
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“Perfectly clearly.”
“I’m asking you again–who is HE?”
“And I’m telling you again–none of your business.”
Maya spoke each word deliberately.
Six months ago, Camden had repeatedly abandoned her for Lily, deceiving and using her from start to finish.
His jealous rage now was absurd and laughable.
James spoke up then. “We should go.”
Maya quickly nodded. “Yeah.”
As she turned to leave, Camden suddenly grabbed her wrist. “You can’t just walk away.”
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