Chapter 2
Maya's POV
Connor's motorcycle roared through the night streets. I held tight to his waist, feeling that long-missed sense of safety. City lights flashed past, but my thoughts were entirely on the man I was holding.
This time I would never lose him again.
"We're here." Connor stopped in front of a run-down building.
From the outside, it looked like an abandoned warehouse—broken windows, peeling walls, completely unremarkable. But I knew this was Connor's secret kingdom.
Following him inside, the first floor was a motorcycle garage with several heavy bikes parked quietly near work benches. The smell of motor oil and metal hit me, reminding me of when Connor first brought me here as a kid.
"The real deal is downstairs." Connor pressed a hidden switch, and an entrance opened in the floor.
The moment I walked down into the basement, my throat tightened.
Dim, warm lighting, tools neatly arranged on walls, the familiar little couch in the corner—with my jacket still draped over it. On the desk were our photos together, the frames spotlessly clean. Even my favorite blanket was there, neatly folded on the couch.
God, Connor had made this place feel like home.
"This place is still as warm as before." I gently touched the blanket, eyes misting up. How stupid I'd been in my past life, thinking this kind of care was imprisonment.
Connor nervously rubbed his hands together like a child who'd done something wrong. "Maya, you really don't mind this place? I know Derek's got much fancier..."
"Connor, Derek can go to HELL," I turned to face him. "You're the most important person to me."
Hope flashed instantly in Connor's eyes, but quickly dimmed again.
"Maya, did something happen to you recently?" Connor carefully studied my expression, eyes filled with worry and confusion. "You seem... different. You've been acting strange since this afternoon."
Damn, I was being too obvious. I needed to give him a reasonable explanation.
"I just figured out what really matters." I took his hands, feeling the calluses on his palms. "Derek's been manipulating us this whole time. I can see his true colors now. Connor, I'm going to break up with him."
Connor's body shook, eyes widening. "You... what did you say?"
"I said I'm breaking up with Derek." I repeated, watching hope gradually rise in his eyes. "I'm tired of his control, tired of him keeping us apart. I just want to come back to you."
Connor's breathing quickened, but his eyes still held disbelief. "Are you sure? You won't regret this tomorrow?"
"I've never been more sure."
He suddenly turned away, trying to control his emotions. I saw the corner of his mouth lift slightly—that careful, tentative joy broke my heart.
"Let me get you something to eat." His voice was a bit hoarse. "You must be hungry."
I watched him bustling around the modest little kitchen, taking what little food there was from the small fridge. His movements were clumsy—clearly he rarely cooked. This man who usually only worked on motorcycles was learning to cook for me. Remembering everything he'd done for me in my past life, my eyes misted again.
Just then, my phone rang.
Derek Williams' name flashed on the screen, and my blood instantly froze. Remembering the agony of being burned to death, my stomach churned. But I had to answer—couldn't let him get suspicious.
I quietly glanced at Connor, who was still busy in the kitchen, not paying attention. I tiptoed to the corner and answered in a low voice.
"Hi, Derek."
"Babe, why haven't you replied to my messages all afternoon?" Derek's voice was still "gentle," but now it just made me sick. "I sent you several. I was getting worried."
"Sorry, I was studying at the library with my phone on silent." I tried to keep my voice normal.
"That's okay, I love how studious you are." Derek chuckled. "By the way, how are you feeling about our weekend getaway? I booked the best resort by the lake, just the two of us."
My hands started shaking. In my past life, this "getaway" was when Derek took me to that remote place and burned me alive.
"I..."
"Don't tell me you're still hesitating." Derek's tone carried a hint of impatience. "Maya, we've been dating for so long. You should learn to trust me."
Not trust you? I want to tear you apart! But I had to play along.
"Okay, I'm looking forward to it." I said through gritted teeth.
"Perfect! I'll pick you up Saturday at ten AM. Remember to bring your swimsuit—we can swim in the lake." Derek's voice was smug.
"Okay, see you then."
I hung up and exhaled deeply. When I turned around, I froze completely.
Connor was standing in the kitchen doorway, face dark as thunder.
He'd heard everything.
"You're lying to me again, Maya!" His eyes were full of pain, voice trembling. "You never planned to leave him! You just said you'd break up with him, and now you're agreeing to go on vacation with him?"
"Connor, let me explain. It's not what you think—"
"Explain what?" He laughed bitterly. "Gonna tell me you're just friends again? Or that you need time to think? Maya, you do this EVERY TIME!"
"Listen to me! I have my own plan!" I tried to explain, but Connor was beyond listening.
"Plan? What plan?" Connor's voice grew louder. "A plan to enjoy a romantic getaway with him? Maya, you'll never truly choose me. NEVER!"
"It's not like that! I really do want to break up with him, but..."
"NO!" Connor cut me off sharply, his eyes turning wild. "I won't let anyone hurt you anymore, including yourself! You don't understand how dangerous Derek is. You have NO IDEA!"
Connor strode to the control panel on the wall, his long fingers rapidly operating the buttons. Mechanical sounds filled the room, then all the doors automatically closed with heavy locking sounds.
"Connor, what are you doing?" I rushed to the door, pounding on it. "Open up!"
"Maya, I'm never letting you leave me again." Connor stood in the center of the room, eyes both pained and determined. "This is to protect you."
"Connor, you can't do this to me!" I continued pounding on the door.
"I won't let you out until you truly understand who really loves you." He murmured to himself. "Derek will hurt you. I can't let that happen."
I slid down against the door, powerless. Connor stood in the distance watching me, chest heaving violently. The room's lighting cast shadows across his face, making him look both agonized and dangerous.
"Connor..." I called his name softly.
"I know you hate me right now." His voice was quiet, filled with deep exhaustion. "But I'd rather have you hate me than watch you walk toward that bastard."
With that, Connor turned and left the room, leaving me alone.