Maya's POV
I stood frozen beside the pickup, unsure whether to move or disappear. My feet felt glued to the gravel, and my mind was spinning. I didn't even know if Adonis was truly looking at me—his dark sunglasses gave nothing away—but knowing him, I felt sure his gaze hadn't left me.
A knot formed in my stomach. What was he thinking this time? Another twisted plan to humiliate me? I silently wished for Rich to appear—anything to escape this awkward limbo. Time seemed to slow, like the world was holding its breath.
I decided I couldn't just stand there like a statue.
I turned and made a dash toward the house, keeping my head low, but in my haste, I didn't notice the loose stone on the path. My foot landed on it wrong—I slipped, arms flailing—and pain exploded through my hip and ankle as I crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
A strangled cry escaped me as I tried to push myself up, but my body ached too much to move properly. And just as panic started to rise—
