?Chapter 1556:


    Maia chose those words deliberately, refusing to engage with Raegan’s warped attempts at provocation. If Raegan expected to watch her unravel, she had no intention of satisfying that desire. Instead, she resolved to strike back—probing for the truth buried beneath the performance.


    “What? How could that even make sense?” Raegan recoiled as though struck, herposure cracking as instinct red. The reply spilled out before she could properly think. “I never imagined he’de charging in to save you. Why would I ever want him dead?”


    The moment the words left her mouth, regret followed hard on their heels. That guilt had been weighing on Raegan far longer than she cared to admit, and denial rose automatically to shield her from it.


    Maia caught the flicker of panic instantly, studying every twitch and hesitation with narrowed focus. She pressed forward, her tone measured. “You react like someone who cares far more than you should. Is it possible that you are in love with Chris? And killing me was simply your way of removing thepetition?”


    The usationnded like an explosive charge.


    R??а?? ???????? ??o???? p??????е о?? ???????оv????s.c????


    Raegan’s fingers shook violently, sloshing her drink over her hand. The cold bite jolted her nerves. She stared at Maia, eyes blown wide, as though her most carefully guarded secret had been dragged into the open without warning. The humiliation of being seen so clearly made her want to vanish on the spot. Heat flooded her face in a deep crimson bloom—the unfiltered response of someone whose hidden thoughts had been exposed without mercy.


    Maia studied her quietly, the answer already settled in her mind. Any lingering doubt dissolved into certainty. She did not know when Raegan had crossed paths with Chris, but with his striking looks and effortless charm, admiration followed him wherever he went. Stories had circted through Wront for years—tales of women flocking to him in endless pursuit.


    For that reason, Maia felt neither anger nor jealousy. Such emotions belonged to those who stood outside looking in. She was Chris’swful wife, and she carried herself with theposure that title demanded.


    With that rity, she chose to strike decisively. “You likely came today expecting me to walk away from Chris. I’m afraid that fantasy ends here.” She gave the empty cocktail ss a light shake, her voice stripped of warmth. “Chris and I have been legally married for quite some time. He is my husband, and I expect that fact to be respected. And for the record—you nearly took his life. I will not overlook that.”


    Those three statements fell one after another without pause, each one driving deeper than thest. Maia moved as though she could see straight through Raegan, wresting full control of the exchange and crushing what little confidence remained.


    Raegan’s hand began to shake again. She tipped back her ss and drained the remaining cocktail in a single swallow.


    Then she snapped her head up and broke intoughter—unsteady, teetering dangerously close to sobs.


    Maia felt a brief flicker of surprise, followed quickly by quietprehension. After all, the marriage to Chris had never been announced publicly. Discovering the truth could easily push a woman harboring feelings for him toward the edge.


    .


    .


    .