Chapter 6 - The Ghost of the Past
Two days later, the world outside the hospital walls erupted.
The financial district had finally pieced together the timeline of Damian Cole’s spectacular downfall. The hostile takeover by Vance Enterprises had sent shockwaves through Wall Street. But what caught the attention of the tabloids was the why. A leaked security photo from the hospital lobby showed Julian Vance, the notoriously private, ice-cold bachelor of Boston, on his knees on the linoleum floor in front of a girl in a frayed flannel shirt.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET SAVIOR? read the headline of the city's largest gossip blog.
Maya was sitting in the back of Julian’s armored Maybach, reading the article on her phone as Victor, Julian’s stoic head of security, drove her to Monroe City College for her exam.
"They make me sound like some kind of Cinderella charity case," Maya muttered, tossing the phone onto the leather seat.
"The press writes what sells, Ms. Lin," Victor said from the driver's seat, his eyes scanning the road. "Mr. Vance has his PR team working to scrub the most invasive articles. But when you date a king, you have to expect the court to stare."
Maya rubbed her temples. She had agreed to stay at Julian’s penthouse, and the transition had been jarring. Her entire apartment could fit inside his master bathroom. She was surrounded by invisible staff, catered meals, and armed guards. She loved Julian—she knew that now, deep in her bones—but she felt like she was being swallowed whole by his universe.
When the car pulled up to the college gates, a small swarm of paparazzi was already waiting. Flashbulbs went off like strobe lights.
Victor cursed under his breath. "Stay in the car, Ms. Lin. I'll clear a path."
But as Victor stepped out, the passenger side door opposite Maya opened. A woman slid into the backseat, bringing with her the overwhelming scent of expensive Chanel perfume and cold calculation.
It was Eleanor Frost.
Maya recognized her from the society pages Julian had once graced. She was stunning, wrapped in a white cashmere trench coat, her blonde hair perfectly coiffed.
"So," Eleanor said, her lips curving into a patronizing smile as she looked Maya up and down. "You're the little stray Julian picked up."
Maya didn't shrink back. She met Eleanor's icy gaze with the hardened resilience of a girl who had survived the South Boston night shifts. "And you are the woman who left him when he needed you. I'm assuming you didn't break into my car just to say hello."
Eleanor’s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "You have a sharp tongue for a waitress. I'm here to give you a reality check, sweetheart. Julian doesn't love you. Julian has a hero complex. When his brother died, he couldn't save him. You're just a projection. A broken little bird he can throw his billions at to make himself feel like a god."
The words hit Maya exactly where her deepest insecurities lay. A charity case. A project.
"He bought your grandfather's life," Eleanor purred, leaning closer. "He bought your debts. He bought your workplace. Do you really think a man like Julian Vance wants a partner who owes him her entire existence? Eventually, he will get bored of playing savior, and he will realize you don't belong in his world."
"Get out of the car."
The voice didn't come from Maya. It came from the open door.
Julian was standing there, having apparently followed Maya's car with his own motorcade when he saw the news break. His face was a mask of absolute, terrifying fury.
Eleanor went pale. "Julian, darling, I was just—"
"I said, get out of my car, Eleanor," Julian hissed, his voice dropping to a deadly calm that was far worse than a shout.
Eleanor scrambled out of the vehicle, trying to maintain her dignity under the flashing cameras of the paparazzi. Julian didn't even look at her as she fled. He slid into the backseat next to Maya, slamming the heavy armored door shut, cutting off the noise of the outside world.
He looked at Maya, his chest heaving, panic swimming in his dark eyes. "Maya, whatever she said to you—"
"She said I'm a project," Maya interrupted, her voice trembling slightly. "She said you're just trying to save me because you couldn't save your brother."
Julian closed his eyes, a look of profound agony crossing his features. He reached for her, pulling her into his chest. "Eleanor is poison. She looks at the world and sees transactions. Maya, look at me."
He tilted her chin up. "You are not my project. You are my anchor. Before you, I was a ghost haunting my own life. You brought me back from the dead. I don't want to save you. I just want to stand beside you while you save yourself."
May you like
Maya looked into his desperate, honest eyes, and the seeds of doubt Eleanor had planted withered and died. She grabbed the lapels of his suit and kissed him hard, tasting the salt of his lingering fear.
"I have an exam to pass," she whispered against his lips. "Have Victor clear the paparazzi. I'm going to be a nurse today."
