The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 288

Chapter 136 Sorry, Not Sorry-2

Chapter 136: Sorry, Not Sorry-2

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She drew another breath, steadier this time. “After graduation, I begged my mother. And she… she understood. She agreed to take me away, to give me a chance at something real. That’s why we left-months before my twenty-fifth birthday. My father still stands as the Oyabun in public. But the truth is, he’s only holding the space meant for me, keeping the world together while I tried to figure out who I am.”

Her voice softened, but its edge of resolve remained. “I didn’t leave out of fear. I left to choose. To be me.” She glanced at Damien, her gaze steady. “And that’s why I did what I did- it was the only way I could stay hidden.”

Harper’s eyes flicked to Maya, a bare tremor threading her voice. “And then I met you. Just… normal. Living. Surviving. And I felt this pull-not out of pity, but because, in you, I saw pieces of myself. Keeping your head down, fighting through each day. You’re admirable, Maya. I envy that strength. You gave me something I never had-friendship that was real. Not for my name, not for my family. Just… me.”

Her gaze softened, the smallest smile ghosting across her lips. “And the more I got to know you, the more I felt… ready. Ready to stop running. Ready to accept what I was born to be.”

Maya’s chest tightened, a lump forming in her throat. She reached out, her hand brushing lightly against Harper’s, eyes glistening. “Harper… I… I had no idea. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

Then she shook her head, forcing a small, uncertain smile. “You know what? Just… just forget it. You don’t have to do anything against your will. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” She glanced at Damien, her voice catching slightly. “Right? We… we can still win even if-”

Harper’s hand lifted, halting Maya mid-sentence with a touch that was firm but not unkind. Maya…” Her voice dropped-soft, but threaded with urgency-drawing the entire room into stillness. She stepped closer until there was barely space between them, her eyes locking onto Maya’s with a steady, unblinking intensity.

She exhaled slowly, as if shedding the last of her hesitation, and when she spoke again, her voice was sure, almost commanding. “No. You don’t get to leave this to chance. I can’t-l won’t let you face this without me. I’ve already made my choice. I’m in this, all the way.”

A faint, genuine smile broke across her face, but it didn’t dull the weight of her words. “You don’t even have to ask, Maya. Because I already decided. I was just waiting for the right moment. In fact…” her voice dipped, a flicker of guilt crossing her expression, “…I may have-”

Her gaze flicked away, hesitation and guilt shadowing her features.

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Chapter 136 Sorry, Not Sorry-2

Maya stepped closer, her voice soft but insistent. “What is it, Harper?”

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Harper’s eyes darted across the room, catching everyone’s glances, then she let out a rush of words. “I may have already done something.”

Maya’s brows shot up, a mixture of curiosity and alarm. “What do you mean? What did you do?”

Harper swallowed, her fingers tightening slightly at her sides, before she met Maya’s eyes again-part guilt, part pride, and wholly unapologetic for the choices she had made.

She released Maya’s hand, took a step back, and exhaled heavily, as if letting the weight of the secret press down on her fully. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and a small pout tugged at her lips. “Okay… okay, fine! I’ll say it!”

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