Chapter 12

Maya: POV

Rain pounded against the windows in September, matching my inner turmoil. Each raindrop blurred Guadalajara's skyline beyond the glass—an unusual sight in a city that rarely saw such heavy downpours.

My phone pinged.

I ignored it at first, focused on adjusting the curve of a sapphire pendant on my screen. But the notification lingered at the edge of my vision, insistent.

When I finally glanced at it, my entire world came to a standstill.

[BREAKING: Energy tycoon Viktor Quinn arrives in Guadalajara for high-stakes business summit. Girlfriend Natalia accompanies him for week-long stay.]

The photo showed Viktor stepping out of a black Mercedes, his commanding presence unmistakable even in a thumbnail image.

Those piercing blue eyes hadn't changed—still cold as a winter night in the Sierra Madre. Natalia clung to his arm, her perfect dark hair untouched by the drizzle, her red lips stretched in a practiced smile.

My blood turned to ice.

Six years. I'd hidden for six years, built a new life, raised our children away from his toxic influence.

And now he was here.

My hands trembled as I scrolled through the article.

"Quinn's visit coincides with the Guadalajara Energy Forum, where he's expected to finalize a controversial $500 million deal with government officials. Sources close to the tycoon suggest he has 'other business' in the city as well..."

Other business.

The words made my stomach clench. Viktor never did anything without multiple motives. If he was here for a summit, fine—but what else was he looking for?

Does he know I'm here?

No. Impossible. I'd been so careful. New name, new identity, new life. Maya Pierce didn't exist six years ago. Vera Quinn was dead—presumed drowned in the Pacific, her body never recovered.

But the paranoia crept in anyway, cold and insidious.

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor.

"Elena!" I called, my voice sharper than intended.

She appeared in the doorway, arms full of fabric samples. "What's wrong? You look like—"

"I need you to do something for me." I grabbed my phone, fingers fumbling as I pulled up Andrei's contact. "If anyone asks for me today—clients, vendors, anyone—tell them I'm out of the country. For the next month."

Elena blinked. "What? But Natalia's assistant called again this morning. She's desperate for you to—"

"Tell her I'm unavailable." I hit dial, lifting the phone to my ear. "Tell her I'm in Europe. Tell her whatever you want, but I'm not taking that meeting."

"Maya, this is Viktor Quinn's girlfriend. Do you know how much publicity—"

"I don't care." The line rang once, twice. "Just do it, Elena. Please."

She stared at me, concern flickering across her face, but nodded slowly. "Okay. But... are you sure you're all right?"

I wasn't. But I forced a smile anyway. "Just a headache. I'll be fine."

Andrei picked up on the third ring, his voice warm and easy. "Hey, beautiful. What's up?"

"Andrei," I said quietly, turning away from Elena. "We need to talk. Now."

His tone shifted immediately, all playfulness gone. "What's wrong?"

"Viktor's in Guadalajara." I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "I saw the news. He's here for some business summit, but—"

"But you don't believe that's the only reason."

"I don't know." I pressed my free hand to my forehead, trying to steady my breathing. "Maybe I'm being paranoid. Maybe it's just a coincidence. But I need you to pick up the kids early today. Don't tell them why. Just... take them to your place. Keep them safe."

A pause. Then: "I'll be there in twenty minutes. And Maya?"

"Yeah?"

"You're not alone. Whatever happens, we'll figure it out together."

I hung up and turned back to Elena, who was still watching me with worried eyes.

"I'm leaving," I said, grabbing my portfolio and shoving papers inside haphazardly. "Cancel my three o'clock. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Maya—"

"I'm fine," I lied. "Just need some air."

I didn't wait for her response. I rushed toward the elevator, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst.

The elevator doors slid open. I stepped inside, hitting the ground floor button repeatedly, as if it would make the descent faster.

Come on, come on, come on—

As the doors began to close, movement in the lobby caught my eye.

A tall figure entering through the glass doors—broad shoulders, impeccable charcoal suit, that unmistakable commanding presence.

My breath stopped.

He turned, and for one heart-stopping moment, I thought our eyes would meet.

I pressed myself against the back wall of the elevator, my hand flying to my mouth to stifle a gasp. My pulse roared in my ears.

Don't see me. Don't see me. Don't—

His head began to turn in my direction.

The elevator doors slid shut.

I sagged against the wall, my knees nearly buckling, my entire body trembling.

That was too close.

Too fucking close.

The elevator descended in agonizing silence, each floor a small eternity. I stared at the numbers ticking down—5... 4... 3... 2...—and tried to breathe, tried to think, tried to convince myself I was overreacting.

But I wasn't.

Viktor was here. In my city. In my building.

And if he found out Maya Pierce was Vera Quinn...

The doors opened on the ground floor, and I forced myself to walk calmly through the lobby, past the security desk, out into the rain.

Only when I was safely in my car, doors locked, engine running, did I let myself fall apart.

My hands shook as I gripped the steering wheel. Tears blurred my vision, mixing with the rain streaking down the windshield.

Six years of hiding. Six years of building a new life.

And it could all come crashing down.

---

[Meanwhile, upstairs...]

Natalia stalked through the reception area of Pierce Design Studio, her Louboutins clicking sharply against the marble floor. Viktor had excused himself to the restroom, leaving her to deal with this infuriating receptionist alone.

"I'm very sorry, Miss," the young woman stammered, her hands twisting nervously. "But Ms. Pierce is out of the country on business. She won't be available for several weeks."

Natalia's eyes narrowed. "Convenient timing." She leaned forward, her voice dripping with disdain. "Tell me, does your boss make a habit of avoiding potential clients?"

"N-no, Miss. She's just very busy, and this trip was planned months ago—"

"Months ago," Natalia repeated, her tone mocking. "How fascinating." She straightened, smoothing down her Chanel dress. "Do you know who I am?"

The receptionist nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss. You're—"

"I'm Viktor Quinn's girlfriend," Natalia cut her off. "And your boss just made a very serious mistake." She pulled out her phone, her crimson nails clicking against the screen. "Tell Maya Pierce that no one—no one—dares to defy Viktor Quinn. If she's too arrogant to meet with me, she needs to understand there are consequences for such disrespect."

The receptionist's face went pale. "I-I'll pass along the message—"

"You do that." Natalia turned on her heel, her hair swinging like a curtain. "I'll be in Guadalajara for another week. I expect to hear from her."

She strode toward the elevator, where Viktor was waiting, his expression unreadable.

"Well?" he asked, his voice cold and detached.

"Their boss avoided meeting me," Natalia said, her voice tight with irritation. "Can you do me a favor? I require the temporary services of a few of your men. I need to teach this Maya Pierce a lesson about respect."

Viktor's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. He glanced back at the reception desk, then at the studio's logo on the wall—a delicate silver hummingbird, wings spread in flight.

Something about it felt... familiar.

He shook his head, dismissing the thought.

"Suit yourself," he said coldly, stepping into the elevator.

But as the doors closed, his gaze lingered on that hummingbird logo for just a moment too long.

Vera had loved hummingbirds.

She'd had a tattoo of one on her shoulder blade—tiny, delicate, almost hidden.

He'd traced it with his fingers a thousand times, memorizing every line, every curve.

‘But Vera was dead.‘’