Maya sat in front of the mirror, slowly combing her hair. Her movements were quiet, almost absent, her mind drifting elsewhere. Caleb's voice echoed in her memory.
"Trust me, Maya."
Her hands paused. She looked down at them, then gently held them together, as if trying to feel that moment again. What was that? she murmured. "What... I felt that time?" She let out a deep sigh. I was about to cry when he said that...
A small pause. I guess... I do want someone beside me. She looked at her reflection again. "I can lie to everyone, but not to myself. She sighed. I have forgotten so much, but I need to find answers to my questions—
Why did he want to kill me? Why am I here? How did my parents die? I can't live with these unanswered questions. Her eyes grew determined. I have to remember or find everything I've forgotten.
Caleb was roaming around his room, lost in his thoughts. How can I make her feel better? The trauma she had...
He sat down on the bed, running his hands through his hair. All that happened to her is because I got into her life. He sighed deeply. I can't get the past back, but I can do something for her. After all this, he realized she was innocent. Serrano… you made her life and mine a hell.
The next morning, sunlight spilled into the room, warm and soft. Maya woke up slowly, the memories from yesterday still heavy on her mind. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, then got out of bed quietly.
Maya stepped out of her room and into the hallway. Clara was there, smiling softly. "You're awake, Shall I make breakfast for you?" Yes, thank you. But I'll eat breakfast here. I don't want to eat alone in my room. Maya looked around and asked Clara, "Didn't Caleb come for breakfast?"
Clara said politely. Usually, he has breakfast early after jogging, so he's probably in his office by now. After breakfast, Maya paced around her room, her mind racing as she struggled to remember the lost pieces of her past. Suddenly, something clicked in her mind. Without hesitation, she rushed straight toward Caleb. Outside the door two guards were posted at the door. She looked at the guard and said, "I want to talk to Caleb. The guard nodded. "I'll let him know. Wait here for a moment."
A few minutes later, the guard came back and said, He came out, Boss said you can come. Maya stepped inside the room. Caleb sat confidently in his chair, with a guard and Henrik standing beside him. She glanced at them and said, "Can we talk for a moment?"
Caleb looked at Maya, then turned to Henrik and the guard. "Wait outside," he said firmly.
Henrik and the guard exchanged glances but quickly stepped out, closing the door behind them. Caleb then turned back to Maya, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Caleb leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on Maya. "What is it you want to talk about?"
Maya met his gaze without hesitation. I want to go home. For a moment, Caleb's expression flickered — surprise mixed with a hint of disbelief. He raised an eyebrow, as if weighing her words carefully. What did you say? Maya took a steady breath, her voice calm but firm. I have a lot of questions, and I need to find the answers. That's why I need to go home.
Caleb stood up abruptly, You know what you're saying. If you go back, you'll only hurt yourself by facing things you're not ready to remember.
Maya met his gaze, her voice steady but filled with quiet pain. "Yes, I know. But I'm already hurting — hurting because I don't have the answers I need. And when I ask you, you just say I don't need to know why."
Her eyes glistened as if on the verge of tears, but she swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay strong. Determination hardened her expression. Caleb's voice was firm but carried a rare softness. "I say that because it's for your own good. There are things you don't need to know—things that would only hurt you."
Maya took a shaky breath, her eyes searching his. Caleb… I'm starting to trust you. But please, just take me home. At least let me see myself—let me feel who I really am.
Caleb sighed, realizing he couldn't convince her otherwise. I couldn't stop her. "Okay," he said finally. "If you're that desperate, then fine. But you have to be strong…and you need to trust me."
After an hour. The car stopped in front of the house. Maya stepped out and looked around, her brow furrowed. Maya slowly walked inside, the silence of the house wrapping around her like a forgotten dream. She moved from room to room, her fingers lightly touching the furniture, the walls, searching for something—anything—that would spark a memory.
Caleb followed quietly, giving her space but staying close. After a while, Maya stopped in front of a small table, where a few framed photos sat. She picked one up and looked at it closely, still unsure but drawn to the faces frozen in time.
Who are these? she asked softly, her voice trembling. Caleb's eyes darkened for a moment, then he answered, They're your parents.
Maya's heart ached, though she couldn't understand why. Maya kept looking at the photo, her eyes fixed on the faces. A tear slipped down and fell onto the frame.
Caleb, standing behind her, noticed she had stopped moving. He stepped closer and saw the tears in her eyes. His chest tightened.
Maya, are you okay? he asked softly. She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. She shook her head. Maya's fingers tightened around the photo frame, her voice breaking.
I feel like I'm the most unlucky person… I don't even remember my parents. Caleb stood close, his heart breaking to hear her pain.
"It's okay," he whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Let it all out. I'm here. You don't have to hold it in."
Maya's cries echoed through the quiet room, raw and unrestrained. Her whole body shook as the weight of years she couldn't remember crashed down on her all at once.
He reached out hesitantly, gently brushing a wet strand of hair from her tear-streaked face. For a long moment, they stayed like that—her sobbing, him silently sharing her grief. Slowly, the sobs softened, but the ache in the room remained.
Maya finally looked up, eyes red and swollen but searching. "Why did this happen to me?" she whispered, voice trembling.
Caleb's throat tightened. "I don't have answers," he said softly. But you're not alone anymore. His words seemed to ease the weight on her chest. She looked at him, her eyes full of quiet trust, and slowly nodded. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand, drawing in a shaky breath. Her shoulders rose and fell as she steadied herself, the tears finally slowing.
"I'm fine now," she murmured, her voice still hoarse but calmer. Caleb didn't press her—just gave a small nod, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer before looking away.
He narrowed his eyes slightly. You… want to stay here longer?
Maya met his gaze steadily. I want to stay here.
Caleb's expression tightened, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. What? Why? How can you live here? You know what happened to you before.
He stepped closer, his tone firm. No. I can't let you stay here alone. We're leaving now.
Maya stood her ground, her voice steady despite the emotion beneath.
"I don't want to go. I want to stay here. This is where my parents were." She looked at Caleb, eyes shining with quiet strength.
Even if I don't remember everything, I can feel the memories here. I'm not going anywhere.
Caleb's jaw tightened, frustration flickering in his eyes. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself.
"This place... it's not safe for you."
Caleb's eyes darkened, his voice sharp with frustration and concern. I can't let you stay here. Don't be a child. Come with me—now.
His tone left no room for argument, but beneath it all was a fierce worry he couldn't hide.
Caleb's gaze hardened, but Maya's eyes burned with quiet defiance.
Neither willing to give in—yet.
The storm between them was far from over.