Stephanie watched as Maya's face tensed up. What could she be thinking? Stephanie thought as she squinted her eyes suspiciously.

"Anyways, I'm just getting started." With that, she walked off. Maya watched Stephanie's retreating figure, thinking deeply about what she meant.

Just then, a message popped up on her phone. Hey, the message read. Seeing the message, she knew it was from Lucien. She instantly replied, Hi.

She stared at the screen as the chat indicated that he was typing. Later on, his response came in: I'm outside.

Maya's heart skipped a beat. He's outside? What if he runs into Stephanie and she tries to steal him away from me as well? Maya decided to take a deep breath and hope for the best.

I'm meeting him again after last night, how do I even face him? Maya questioned herself as she rushed downstairs.

Maya opened the front door and walked outside. The morning air hit her face, but her cheek still burned where her father had slapped her. Her legs were sore from last night with Lucien, making it hard to walk fast.

She looked around the street, feeling nervous. She was scared Marcus or her parents might see her leave.

Then she saw the black car parked across the road. The lights flashed twice to call her over. Maya let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. He was really waiting for her. She hurried over to the car.

She was wearing an old, oversized sweater that Stephanie didn't want anymore and had thrown away. Maya pulled open the car door and sat down inside.

It smelled nice and clean. "How are you?" Lucien asked, his deep voice filling the quiet car.

He reached over and gently rubbed her head, messing up her hair a little bit in a sweet way.

Maya completely froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Nobody had ever treated her like this before. In her house, her parents only slapped her or pushed her aside for Stephanie. But Lucien was touching her so gently, like she was something precious. It made her feel like crying.

"I'm..." Before she could reply, Lucien grabbed her chin, staring into her face intensely. His face darkened as his eyes swept over the glaring red hand mark on her cheek.

"Who did this?" he questioned, a deadly aura suddenly filling the car. Maya slowly pushed his hand away and sat up straight.

"I bumped into something."

Lucien knew that she was lying and that someone had hit her. Is this how my beloved has been treated all these years? I'll make the Ewell family pay for mistreating her. His heart ached upon seeing her timid and fragile body. He imagined how hard the slap must have been to leave such a glaring mark.

"I'm here now. You won't suffer any injustices anymore," he spoke up, breaking the silence. "I promised you that I'd come back for you. Now that I'm here, I'll protect you."

Maya paused and stared at him, confused. What did he mean by promise? Then she remembered that night and the words he had whispered to her. Oh, that. Thinking about it made her blush, her face turning beetroot red.

Lucien glanced at her and saw her blushing. He smirked and slipped his hand into hers as he intertwined their fingers. Maya blushed even more than before, making Lucien smile, feeling satisfied.

The car pulled up in front of a massive black gate. As soon as the car got close, the gate opened on its own, and Lucien drove inside.

Maya looked out the window, and her mouth dropped open. The driveway was long and surrounded by neat green grass and bright flowers.

At the end of the drive stood a huge, three-story house that looked like a modern castle. It had huge glass windows, white marble pillars, and warm yellow lights shining inside.

Everything about this place shouted wealth and power. It was three times bigger than her family’s house and way more beautiful.

Lucien parked the car right near the entrance, and a butler dressed in a neat suit immediately walked down the front steps, opening the passenger door for Maya with a respectful bow.

"Welcome home, Young Master, Miss," the butler said politely.

Maya felt her face burn again. Welcome home? She slowly stepped out of the car, her legs still feeling a bit weak.

She looked up at the huge villa, feeling small and out of place. Her hands gripped the bottom of Stephanie’s old, faded sweater. She felt like a poor stray cat that had somehow walked into a prince's palace.

Lucien walked over to her side and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close against him.

"You stay here?" she asked as her eyes scanned the area in awe.

"Yes, I do. And if you want, you can move in. Here, no one will dare to disrespect you."

Maya paused and thought, If I move in, Stephanie will find out, and just like she took Marcus, she'll take Lucien, too. I can't bear for that to happen.

"No, I would love to move in, but to avoid complications, I should remain with my parents."

Seeing that she had made up her mind, Lucien decided not to press further.

"Come inside. I already told the cook to prepare your breakfast, and the doctor will be here soon to check your face."

Hearing how much he cared about her, Maya felt a lump in her throat. Her own parents had slapped her and called her names just yesterday, but this cold man was treating her like a princess. She nodded quietly and let him lead her through the grand double doors.

As they stepped inside, the chef led them to the dining table. Maya sat beside Lucien as they ate together.

Lucien personally picked certain dishes and placed them onto Maya's plate. His actions warmed her heart. At some point, Maya gradually relaxed and felt more comfortable around him.

"So tell me," Lucien spoke up. "Tell me about how you've been coping since I left the orphanage."

"Which orp..." Just as Maya was about to speak, the maid walked in.

"Sir, the doctor is here."

Lucien stared at Maya for a pretty long time before speaking.

"We'll discuss it later. Let's go and see the doctor." He held out a hand. "Shall we?"

Maya looked up at him and laughed. "We shall," she said, placing her hand in his.

As they reached the room where the doctor was waiting for them, Lucien immediately ordered the doctor.

"Examine her cheek first," he said, his voice dropping all its usual coldness as he turned to Maya.

He gently cupped her face, taking extreme care not to press near her bruised cheek. "We can talk about the past anytime. Right now, taking care of you is my only priority."

The doctor bowed respectfully toward Lucien, then he immediately stepped up to examine Maya.

"Apply the cooling ointment directly to the swelling," Lucien instructed sternly, standing right beside Maya’s chair. His intense gaze never left her face. "Make sure it doesn't hurt her, or you won't like the consequences."

"Y-Yes, Young Master Blackwood!" the doctor stammered, his hands trembling slightly under Lucien's intimidating pressure.

As the cold cream touched Maya’s swollen cheek, she flinched slightly. Before she could even gasp, Lucien’s broad hand slid into hers, squeezing softly.

"Does it hurt?" he asked softly, bending down until his face was just inches from hers.

Maya looked into his deep, worried eyes and shook her head. "No... it actually feels much better."

"Good." Lucien pulled out a sleek black credit card from his wallet and slipped it directly into Maya's hand, closing her fingers around it. "Take this."

Maya blinked, startled by the heavy metal card in her palm. "What is this? I can't take this, Lucien."

"It has no limit," Lucien declared casually, as if handing over a piece of candy. "You came here wearing clothes that look old. My woman will never wear old, worn-out clothes. My assistant has already prepared the top boutique in the city. Go buy whatever you want."

Maya’s heart pounded against her chest. In the Ewell house, she only ever received Stephanie’s hand-me-downs. But Lucien was treating her like a queen, showering her with a lot of luxury without asking for anything in return.

"I can buy my own clothes..." Maya muttered shyly, her face flushing red.

"I know that you can," Lucien whispered, leaning close to press a warm, gentle kiss against her forehead, right above her injury. "But I want to pamper you. Let me."

Before Maya could protest further, Lucien’s phone rang. It was an urgent call from his corporate headquarters regarding an international board meeting. Lucien frowned, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

"I have to take care of a quick matter at the office," Lucien said reluctantly, smoothing down a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I’ve arranged for my personal driver to take you to the mall. Afterward, he will drive you back safely. Remember—if anyone tries to bully you, tell me immediately."

"Okay," Maya whispered, feeling a warmth spread through her entire chest.

Watching Lucien leave with his sharp, commanding presence, Maya held the black card tightly against her chest. For the first time in years, someone actually took the responsibility to make her feel loved.

An hour later, Maya stepped out of the luxury car in front of the city's highest-end shopping mall. She was dressed in a simple blouse provided by Lucien's staff. She walked into the most exclusive designer store in the mall.

The sales associates immediately recognized the Blackwood family's VIP status and bowed politely, guiding her to the private collection room.

Just as Maya was looking at a breathtaking, elegant evening dress, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the quiet room.

"Look who we have here! Isn't this my pathetic stepsister?"

Maya turned around and saw Stephanie walking in, holding Marcus’s arm tightly.

Stephanie was sneering, while Marcus stood beside her, his eyes immediately locking onto Maya’s neck where the faint marks were still a bit evident. He still couldn't get over the fact that someone touched what was his. This irritated him, causing him to clench his fist.

"Maya? What are you doing in a place like this?" Marcus demanded, his tone laced with possessiveness and jealousy. "This store is for high-society clients. You can't afford a single thread in here!"

Stephanie smirked, clutching Marcus harder. "Marcus is right. Maya, did you come here to beg for a job as a cleaner? Or did the man who slept with you throw a few pennies at you?"

Marcus’s face darkened at the mention of another man. He stepped forward, grabbing Maya's wrist tightly. "Tell me who he is." When he saw Maya wasn't planning on speaking, he changed the topic. "Maya! Come home right now and apologize to your parents, and I might still consider forgiving you!"

Upon hearing his words, Maya smirked coldly. "Let go of me, Marcus," Maya said, yanking her wrist out of his grip. Her eyes were devoid of any affection. "You belong to Stephanie now. You have no right to touch me." Her words immediately unsettled Marcus. Then she turned to Stephanie. "You can keep my trash. I don't need it anymore."

"How dare you refer to Marcus as trash?" Stephanie snapped. "Seems like you have forgotten who has more power here. You suddenly have a loose tongue now, huh? After opening your legs for some old sugar daddy, you suddenly feel like you own the world. I'll put you in your place today, you slut." With that, Stephanie charged up to Maya, her hand raised, ready to slap her just like their father did. "You need to learn your place!"

SLAP!

A crisp sound echoed through the high-end boutique.

Stephanie gasped, clutching her face in utter shock. But it wasn't Stephanie who had delivered the slap—Maya had intercepted her arm and struck Stephanie’s cheek hard!

"You..." Stephanie shrieked, tears immediately pooling in her eyes as she looked at Marcus pitifully. "Marcus! Look at her! She hit me!"

"Maya, have you gone crazy?!" Marcus yelled angrily, stepping between them. "Apologize to Stephanie right now!"

Maya watched the man she had loved all her life with cold eyes. So has it really gotten to this?

Upon hearing her silent reaction, Marcus paused, a hint of guilt flashing through his eyes.

"Maya, it's not that..." he suddenly spoke up, feeling at a loss for words.

Maya scoffed. "First you cheat on me, then you don't mind showing your face in front of me, flaunting your new love."

Just thinking about how foolishly in love she had been with him in the past made Maya feel disgusted. A part of her was still hurt about his betrayal.

"I should apologize? She tried to hit me, yet you want me to apologize for defending myself?" she questioned, her body trembling.

This was how it had always been.

Even when Stephanie was the one to provoke her, she would still be the one to be blamed. This incident brought Maya back to the past.

“Maya, you have to sacrifice for your sister. She’s been through a lot,” her mother scolded.

Maya was literally the one who had been wronged, but as usual, all they cared about was Stephanie and her feelings.

She choked back her tears. “But Mom, she’s the one who stole from me! Why am I the one getting scolded for it?”

It wasn't just any random item Stephanie had taken, it was the diamond necklace Marcus had given her on their anniversary, yet to her parents, it was just another shiny toy Maya was expected to hand over.

“Maya, don’t say that about your sister! Can’t you see that she’s going through a lot? She grew up without her parents, without any of the privileges you have. It’s normal for her to want the things you have. Instead, you should be sharing with her. Case closed.”

With that, her mother took her adopted sister, Stephanie, into the living room, sat her down on the couch, and stroked her head as Stephanie cried into her arms.

Maya was always wrong in their eyes. Ever since they had adopted Stephanie from the orphanage, Maya was always expected to bend over backward just to accommodate her.

And up till now, it still remained that way. Even with the man she loved all her life, he didn't side with her; he chose her sister just like everyone else did. She was still expected to bend even though she wasn't the one who started it.

“I won't apologize, and there's nothing you can do about it.”

Upon hearing her words, Stephanie cried out, “Marcus, see what she's saying! She hit me just now and she's refusing to apologize for it. Are you just going to stand there and watch me being wronged?”

Upon hearing the word wronged, Maya turned to Stephanie. “You talk about being wronged, but between me and you, you know who is wronged more. I have always had to suppress myself just so you can feel better, just so you can be satisfied. You take my fiance away from me, and yet you still talk about being wronged.”

“What…” Her words made Stephanie at a loss for words.

Seeing Maya was gaining the upper hand against Stephanie, which left Stephanie with nothing to use to defend herself, Marcus decided to step in. “And who do you think you are, talking to Stephanie like that? And yes, I chose Stephanie over you, and it is not her fault. And do you know why I chose her over you? Because she's better. She's better than you, that's why I chose her. If you want to find someone to blame for it, come to me. Leave her out of it.”

Watching his protectiveness over Stephanie made Maya clench her fists.

This was all she ever wanted, for someone to finally stand up for her and choose her. She refused to let the both of them get to her. She had finally found her person, so she didn't have to waste time with the both of them.

Marcus finished speaking, expecting Maya to cry, beg, get jealous, and ask him to take her instead. Her next words shocked him.

“I'm happy for you and your new blooming love,” Maya said with a smile.

In the past, Maya was head over heels for him.

Anytime he'd throw a tantrum and not talk to her, she'd blow up his phone with calls and texts, and shower him with gifts.

He was sure she was just playing hard to get just to get his attention. If not, how did she suddenly appear at this mall where she cannot afford anything? It's just to get my attention, Marcus thought, a smirk forming on his face.

Even though Marcus convinced himself that Maya was still head over heels for him, there was a certain feeling he got about the way she smiled. It felt so distant, like she held nothing for him.

Marcus watched as her beautifully curved lips formed into an addictive smile, her clear, flawless skin making her look neat and beautiful.

For a moment, he could not take his eyes off her. The more he imagined her in his head with someone else while he spent six years trying to get closer to her, the more it made him greatly annoyed.

And Maya's words, “I'm happy for you and your new blooming love,” unsettled him. What does she mean by that? Is she satisfied with me being with her sister? Has she moved on so fast? he thought, now doubting his earlier confidence.