Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 32:

Before she could lift her leg to strike, he blocked her with his own — trapping her in place.

“How much did that man offer you?” Vince asked, his eyes bloodshot. “Come back to me. I’ll pay you double.”

Maia’s eyes widened. Shock froze her in place. “Have you completely lost it?”

Back then, her world had revolved around him. Everyone knew how deeply she loved Vince. And yet, he never returned it. Never even tried.

He soaked up her affection like it was owed to him, but gave nothing back in return.

Not until Rosanna entered the picture did his eyes finally soften — just not for Maia.

That was when it hit her. Everything she gave had meant nothing.

Now that she no longer chased after him, he suddenly couldn’t seem to let go. Wasn’t he supposed to be thinking about Rosanna? They were about to get engaged. What was he doing here, cornering her like this?

Maia didn’t want another second of it. She said coldly, “Vince, get a grip. You’re Rosanna’s boyfriend now. My life? It’s got nothing to do with you. Let me go!”

Instead of answering, he slowly reached into his pocket and pulled something out. A bracelet — silver, delicate, and familiar.

“You used to like this one, didn’t you?” he murmured. “It’s yours.”

The bracelet, with its twin hearts woven together, caught the light with a soft gleam, but to Maia, it served only as a sharp reminder of what had been lost.

Back then, she’d liked it for a simple reason — the two hearts made her feel safe. Whole.

She used to dream that she and Vince could be just like that. Side by side. Never drifting apart.

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But that time had passed, and the feeling was gone.

A bitter laugh slipped from Maia’s lips. “Four years have gone by. I don’t like it anymore. Maybe try giving it to Rosanna instead. Isn’t she the one who worships jewelry?”

Vince didn’t respond right away. His dark eyes studied her, the mood shifting in them. For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then a strange look crossed his face — something close to realization, followed by a faint, amused smile. “Are you jealous of Rosanna?”

The question caught Maia off guard. What had she said that even remotely sounded like jealousy?

But Vince looked almost relieved. His tone softened as he stepped closer, saying, “This is about the engagement, isn’t it? You’re upset because I’m marrying her.” Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed her hand, forced her fingers open, and placed the bracelet into her palm.noveldrama

He continued, “It’s fine. Even after I marry Rosanna, I’ll still take care of you. That bracelet’s worth four hundred thousand. Think of it as a gesture of sincerity.”

Sincerity? So to him, she was just a plaything that he could buy with glitter and gold?

Her gaze lifted to his face — still handsome, still cruel — and turned to ice.

A short, cutting laugh escaped her. With the bracelet dangling from her pinky, Maia tilted her head, eyes glinting like glass. Her voice dropped to a teasing murmur. “Alright. I’m open to it. But I don’t do secrets. Call Rosanna right now. Tell her you’re keeping me too. If she’s good with it, I’ll think about saying yes.”

Vince’s expression turned to stone in an instant.

“What’s the matter? Scared she’ll find out you’re a liar, a two-timer, and dump you before the ring’s even on her finger?” Maia’s voice dripped with scorn as she slammed the bracelet against his chest. “Then stop chasing after me.”

Without waiting for a reply, she let go. The bracelet slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a sharp metallic clink that echoed in the air between them. Fury flooded Vince’s eyes, the red bleeding in fast. But when he looked up, all he saw was the quiet satisfaction on Maia’s face. Humiliation hit him first — then anger.

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