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ⁿᵒʷ ᵖˡᵃʸⁱⁿᵍ
𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 & 𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 , 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫
The gates of Jax’s estate loomed like a fortress, black iron twisting into sharp points that gleamed in the weak afternoon sun. Maya gripped the stroller handle tight, heart hammering, and pulled Leo closer as they passed through.
She had imagined wealth before, but nothing like this. The mansion stretched over acres of manicured lawn, guarded by cameras and silent men with earpieces who didn’t blink. Every surface gleamed, every hallway smelled of polished wood and leather. It should have felt like safety. It didn’t.
𝐉𝐚𝐱 walked ahead of her, hands shoved into his pockets, expression unreadable.
“This is it,” he said, flatly. “Welcome home.”
𝐌𝐚𝐲 took a hesitant step forward. Her heels clicked on marble floors, echoing in a house that felt more like a museum than a home. Leo cooed softly, tugging at her sleeve, unaware of the tension pressing down on them.She swallowed hard. This was safety, yes, but it was also a cage. Everything was too clean, too perfect, too… controlled.
𝐉𝐚𝐱 led her to a guest wing — separate rooms for her and Leo, a small sanctuary carved out of the opulence. The crib gleamed white, sheets crisp. Toys neatly lined a shelf. Maya set Leo down, watching him explore cautiously. He poked at a stuffed bear, laughed, then ran to the window, pressing his tiny hands against the glass.
𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐚’𝐬 chest twisted. The luxury should have made her feel relieved, but instead it made her feel more alone than ever. Jax didn’t smile. He didn’t comment. He simply watched, arms crossed, a silent reminder that she wasn’t really part of this world.
Hours passed.
She tried to make the apartment feel like home — unpacking a few essentials, arranging Leo’s things, finding a small spot for her sketchbook. Jax’s men occasionally appeared to check on her, silent and watchful. Every glance from them reminded her that she wasn’t just living in luxury — she was living under scrutiny.
And then Jax appeared, leaning against the doorway.
“You don’t touch anything in my office,” he said, voice low, eyes sharp. “And don’t even think about leaving this wing without permission. I’ll know. I always know.”
Maya nodded, her throat tight. “Understood.”
“You’re not here because I like you,” he continued. “You’re here because it’s necessary. For him.” He nodded toward Leo. “That’s it. Don’t make me regret this.”
𝐋𝐞𝐨’𝐬 innocent laughter rang out, cutting through the tension. He toddled toward her, arms wide. Maya scooped him up, hugging him fiercely. For him, she would survive. For him, she would endure.
She looked at Jax. He was watching, expression neutral, but she thought she caught a flicker of something — something buried beneath the cold, something almost human.
𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐚 tucks Leo into the crib for a nap, sitting nearby with her sketchbook open. The house is quiet, but the weight of Jax’s rules presses down on her like a stone.
Outside, the city hums, alive and dangerous. Inside, Maya feels the first taste of safety — but also the first taste of isolation in the golden cage she now calls home.
She whispers to herself:
“𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. 𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨.”
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