?Chapter 1558:


    She hade here to destroy Maia. How had it turned into this? Not only had Maia seen straight through her—every word had stripped Raegan bare, leaving her exposed and humiliated in the worst possible way. The realization crashed over her like ice water. Her chest rose and fell in violent, gasping heaves, as though she were suffocating.


    Maia turned and began walking calmly toward the exit. Halfway there, she paused and nced back over her shoulder, her eyes cold and unyielding. “Oh, and one more thing. As they say—in any love triangle, the other woman is always the one who isn’t loved.”


    Raegan’s pupils blew wide. A crushing wave of shame swallowed her whole. She stumbled backward. The cocktail ss slipped from her numb fingers and hit the floor with a sharp crack, shattering into glittering shards that scattered in every direction.


    Maia’s expression remained impassive. Without another word, she continued toward the door.


    But the very next second, she walked straight into a firm, solid chest.


    A familiar scent enveloped her—crisp, like rain-soaked forest air after a storm, cool yet carrying an unmistakable sense of reassurance. Maia looked up quickly. Deep, ocean-dark eyes stared back down at her.


    It was Chris. When had he arrived?


    Maia raised her eyes and locked gazes with Chris’s deep, fathomless ones.


    In that split second, the mor of the bar seemed to fade into nothing. Her heart gave an unexpected lurch, then hammered wildly as though trying to break free. The reaction was instinctive, almost primal. Her mind screamed forposure, but her body betrayed her first—trembling under the weight of his stare.


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    Chris held her gaze for several long beats before slowly shifting his attention to Raegan. His look was icy, carrying an effortless authority that needed no raised voice or visible anger. His face remained perfectly neutral, yet a visible shiver raced down Raegan’s spine.


    He had warned her—multiple times—not to touch Maia, not to provoke her in any way.


    “Take her away,” Chris said. His tone was even, almost quiet, yet it rang with absolutemand.


    Raegan’s face nched. Her lips parted in a frantic attempt to speak. “I only—”


    She got no further. The men in ck moved instantly. Grayson surged forward, swift and merciless, onerge hand mping firmly over her mouth while his eyes shed a clear warning. “Better keep quiet,” he growled low. “The leader is seriously angry right now.”


    “Mmph—mmph!” Raegan’s brows knitted in fury and disbelief. She thrashed against the iron grip, eyes zing with resentment. Ten years. She had been at Chris’s side for a full decade. Yet Grayson’s hold was unyielding, muffling every sound she tried to make. She was hauled away bodily, watching over her shoulder toward the empty spot where Chris had stood only moments before.


    Outside the bar, Maia walked beside Chris. His army across her shoulders—firm, deliberate, unmistakably possessive.


    “Let’s talk,” he said.


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