Back at home, Maya sat alone on the balcony.
The city lights sparkled below.
Normally she loved this view.
Tonight it brought no comfort.
Her phone buzzed again.
More comments.
More criticism.
More strangers are judging her life.
Tearing her apart without mercy.
She switched it off.
For the first time in years, she wondered if she truly belonged in Edward's world.
Maybe the woman at the boutique had been right.
Maybe she would never be accepted.
The thought hurt more than she expected.
A warm jacket suddenly settled around her shoulders.
Edward.
He sat beside her.
Neither of them spoke for a while.
Finally Maya broke the silence.
"What if they're right?"
Edward turned toward her immediately.
"They're not."
"What if marrying me causes problems for you?"
His answer cam
