Waiting in the shadows

What Alicia Must Know

The next morning sunlight slipped quietly through the curtains of the living room, bathing the house in a calm golden glow. It was too peaceful for Maya's troubled mind.

She had barely slept.

The thoughts from the previous night replayed endlessly in her head like a broken record. Lucas' warning. The possibility that Damien was secretly working with Sophie. The hospital file she had risked everything to retrieve And worst of all, the feeling that the man she trusted most might have betrayed her.

Maya slowly descended the staircase, her steps heavy As she reached the bottom, the smell of fresh coffee filled the room Damein stood by the kitchen counter, holding two cups.

He turned when he heard her footsteps "Hi... good morning," he said casually, extending one of the cups toward her.

Maya stopped a few steps away from him Her eyes studied his face carefully There he was-the same calm expression, the same gentle demeanour that had comforted her so many times beforeBut today it felt different Today it felt like a mask She took the cup from his hand without smiling.

"Morning," she replied quietly.

As she walked toward the dining table, her eyes carried a silent question.

How could you betray me?

She sat down slowly, wrapping both hands around the warm mug. Damein watched her for a moment before walking over and sitting across from her , He studied her face, noticing the distance in her eyes, but if he sensed anything, he didn't show it.

"Well," he said lightly, "since Layrus' birthday is tomorrow, I helped around the house a bit."

Maya lifted her eyes.

"The decorations you bought arrived this morning. I placed them in the storage room so you can arrange them later."

He paused before continuing.

"My parents won't be able to make it until next week, but they asked me to send their regards."

Maya nodded quietly. "Okay."

The conversation died there.

Damein slowly stood up from his chair. "Well," he said, stretching his arms slightly, "I should get ready for work." He glanced at her one more time before walking upstairs.

Maya remained seated at the table long after he disappeared Her mind was spinning Lucas said one thing Damein acted another way And the more she tried to understand the truth, the more confused she became.

If he really betrayed me... how can he act so normal? She took a slow sip of her coffee But it suddenly tasted bitter.

The entire day passed in a strange blur Maya spent most of her time organising Layrus' birthday decorations, preparing small gift bags, and checking the guest list. Layrus crawled happily across the living room floor, occasionally giggling when Maya lifted him into her arms.

"You're turning one tomorrow, my little man," she whispered, kissing his cheek.

Layrus clapped his tiny hands in excitement, unaware of the storm brewing around him.

By evening, Maya felt mentally exhausted. She needed answers And there was only one person she trusted enough to tell everything.

Alicia walked toward the living room where Damien sat reading something on his tablet.

"Damein," she said.

He looked up immediately.

"Yes?"

"I'm going to the bar with Alicia tonight."

Damein raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't question it "Okay."

Maya continued casually. "Jelly man is sleeping in his crib. I fed him some carrot pudding earlier."

Damein smiled softly "Don't worry about anything. Enjoy yourself."

Something about his calmness made Maya uneas But she nodded anyway.

"Okay."

A few minutes later she grabbed her coat and left the house The bar was warm and lively when Maya arrived. Soft music filled the room while people chatted over drinks. At a table near the corner, Alicia spotted her immediately and waved energetically.

"Maya! Over here!" Maya forced a small smile and walked toward her.

Alicia stood up and hugged her tightly. "Girl, you look like you've been through war," Alicia laughed lightly. Maya sat down heavily in the chair across from her.

"Maybe I have."

Alicia signalled the bartender for drinks before leaning forward with excitement.

"Alright," she said with a grin.

"What's up, girl? Give me the details."

Maya took a deep breath Then she dropped the bomb "I had s*x with Lucas and Damien found out." Alicia nearly choked on her drink Her eyes widened dramatically.

"No way-what?!"

She slammed the glass back on the table.

"Girl, what?!"

Maya sighed deeply, running a hand through her hair.

"It wasn't planned," she said quietly "It just... happened."

Alicia stared at her for several seconds Then she leaned back slowly.

"Okay," she said carefully. "Start from the beginning."

Maya explained everything. The meeting with Lucas. The emotional conversation and the night that followed.

Alicia listened without interrupting When Maya finished, Alicia exhaled slowly.

"Well damn."

Maya rubbed her temples "That's not even the worst part."

Alicia frowned "There's more?"

"Yes."

Maya leaned forward "He acted so weird that day. Damein, I mean."

"Weird how?" Alicia asked.

"He wasn't the usual sweet Damien I know," Maya said quietly.

Her voice trembled slightly "For a moment... I was scared of him."

Alicia's expression turned serious.

"And now I'm starting to think..." Maya continued slowly.

"...that what Lucas said might be true, Damein is looking for the file"

Alicia blinked. "What?"

Then she raised both hands "Wait, wait, wait." She shook her head "The dots are not connecting at all."

Maya frowned. "What do you mean?"

Alicia leaned forward. "Why would he want the file?"

"Sophie is completely insane," Alicia said bluntly.

"That woman is pure trouble."

Maya sighed. "I don't know anymore."

Her voice softened. "I just don't trust anything right now."

Alicia studied her face carefully. Then she lowered her voice. "Listen."

"The file can never be found."

"Relax. The file is safe."

Maya blinked. "You still have it?"

Alicia nodded. "Of course. I locked it away exactly where you asked me to keep it. Nobody is getting their hands on it."

Alicia smiled slightly "Unless you want me to give it to you."

Maya stared at her.

"I'm not stupid, Maya," Alicia smirked.

"Relax."

"I keep important evidence safe."

Maya leaned back in her chair, letting out a long breath For the first time all day, she felt slightly lighter Then she reached into her purse and pulled out a small invitation card.

She slid it across the table. "You're invited to my baby's birthday tomorrow."

Alicia's face lit up immediately "Wait-Layrus' birthday is tomorrow already?!"

Maya nodded. "Come early, please."

"I'll need help setting things up."

Alicia jumped up from her chair dramatically. "Oh please."

"I wouldn't miss that for anything in the world!"

She grabbed her drink and raised it high."To Layrus' first birthday!"

Maya smiled, but deep inside, she couldn't shake the strange feeling that tomorrow's celebration might bring more than just cake and laughter, because somewhere in the shadows... Damein and Sophie were already moving their pieces And the birthday party might become the perfect stage for everything to explode.