The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 12 Just One Breath 2

25 Pomita

Chapter 12: Just One Breath-2

She dropped out of college to work full-time. The moment she was offered a scholarship again, she took it-even knowing how brutal the schedule would be. Every class, every shift, every sleepless night-it was all for him.

She ate once a day, sometimes not at all. She skipped every indulgence. Every outfit was thrifted, every dollar saved. All for Jamie’s surgery. All for a future that didn’t constantly feel like a

countdown.

She returned to the bedroom in silence, tugging on an old hoodie and curling up on the thin mattress beside her brother’s room. She stared at the ceiling in the dark, letting the silence wrap

around her.

Next week would be better. Her new schedule-MWF at Blackwood, classes in the evening, barista work the rest of the week-was brutal but doable. She just needed to find the rhythm. Find the

balance.

And keep flying under the radar.

She had to.

Because she couldn’t afford to lose this chance.

The thought haunted her into sleep.

Sometime past midnight

The nightmare came as it always did – uninvited. Relentless.

She was 18 again, laughing in the kitchen, her mom smearing frosting on her cheek while her dad held up a cheap balloon that read Congratulations, Adult!

Jamie was small, giggling with two front teeth missing.

Then everything changed.

Flash. Sirens. Screams.

The cake hit the floor. The balloon popped.

She was running.

Metal twisted. A crumpled sedan. A stretcher.

The cold burn of antiseptic and the unforgiving white of hospital walls.

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Chapter 12 Just One Breath 2

“Are you the daughter?” someone asked.

She nodded.

“Can you identify the bodies?”

Her knees buckled.

She was screaming and no one heard her. Crying and no one answered.

And then Jamie, so small, so fragile, looked up at her and asked:

“Are they gone?”

She woke with a gasp.

+25 Points

Her chest heaved as her eyes adjusted to the dark. Sweat clung to her skin. She didn’t scream.

Never did.

Just shook in silence.

Jamie stirred in the next room, but didn’t wake. Maya squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep

breath.

Another.

And another.

It was just a dream.

But the grief never really left. Just… learned how to wait.

She reached for the cracked phone charging on the floor and checked the time. Almost 4 AM.

A few hours before Jamie’s appointment.

Before she had to smile again. Be strong again.

She curled tighter under the blanket, staring at the peeling ceiling above.

Some nights, the past refused to stay buried.

But tomorrow, she’d smile for Jamie.

And next week, she’d find a new routine.

Because she had no other choice.

The night dragged on, and once again, sleep never came. By 6:00 AM, her phone alarm rang, slicing through the stillness. Maya dragged herself out of bed and tiptoed into Jamie’s room. He

Chapter 12 Just One Breath 2

She paused. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.”

They stared at each other across the small table. She wanted to lie. Pretend. But she didn’t.

“Sometimes,” she admitted.

He didn’t press her. Just nodded once and returned to eating.

It was his way of protecting her. Of carrying a piece of the weight.

+25 Ports

By 8:30, they were dressed and ready. Maya grabbed his medical folder and checked her bag for the third time. Everything was in place.

Outside, the morning was soft and quiet. Their neighbor, Ms. Janice, was already tending to her flowers, humming gently under her breath.

“Heading out?” she asked.

“Hospital checkup,” Maya replied.

Ms. Janice gave her a reassuring smile and reached out, squeezing her arm. “I’ll be thinking of

both.”

you

Jamie stepped forward and gave the woman a gentle nod. “Thanks, Ms. Janice. We’ll see you later.

As they walked toward the bus stop, Maya glanced back once.

Ms. Janice had returned to her flowers, humming quietly.

It felt like a small blessing.

And in Maya’s world-small blessings meant everything.

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