The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 373

Chapter 169: A Shift in Power-2

25 Points

Her thumb pressed lightly, reassuring. “He’s trying, even when it looks like he’s stumbling. And he will stumble. But his heart is in the right place.” A faint smile curved her lips. “Just… don’t give up on him too quickly.”

She squeezed Maya’s shoulder once more. “He needs time. And he needs someone who sees the man beneath the armor.”

A small smile curved her lips. “The way you handled things earlier?” A quiet chuckle followed. “That’s exactly how your mother handled your father.”

Maya blinked, surprised.

“Oh yes,” Dahlia continued, amusement softening her tone. “Malia was never confrontational. She hated arguments-raised voices, dramatic scenes, all of it. But don’t mistake that for weakness.” She withdrew her hand from Maya’s shoulder, folding it loosely at her side. “When Julian went too far with his so-called protection-when his possessiveness crossed the line and started hurting her because it questioned her judgment, her loyalty…” Dahlia shook her head gently.

“She would shut down completely.”

Maya listened, rapt.

“No shouting. No ultimatums,” Dahlia said. “Just distance. Silence. A coldness that made Julian realize something was very, very wrong.” Her eyes glinted knowingly. “She gave him space to sit with his mistake until he came to his senses on his own.”

A beat.

“And he always did,” Dahlia added softly. “Because Malia didn’t fight him-she let him see the consequences of not trusting her.”

Her gaze returned to Maya, steady and sincere. “What you did today wasn’t avoidance. It was restraint. It was strength.” A faint smile touched her lips. “You gave Damien room to reflect instead of giving him something to push against.”

She tilted her head slightly. “That takes patience. And courage.”

A pause.

“And apparently,” Dahlia said lightly, “it runs in the family.”

A soft laugh followed-quiet, genuine-and it drew a small laugh from Maya as well, the

Chapter 169 A Shift in Power-2

tension easing between them.

+25 Points

Dahlia lifted her hand then, fingers warm as they brushed Maya’s cheek, guiding her gaze up

gently until their eyes met.

“Damien is still learning how to love,” she said softly. “Just as you are, sweetheart.” Her thumb rested there, steady, grounding.

Her expression softened further, maternal and knowing.

“Be patient with him,” Dahlia continued. “Not endlessly, not at the cost of yourself-but patiently enough to let him grow.” A small smile returned. “He needs someone who won’t meet his walls with force, but with clarity. Someone who can stand firm without hardening.”

She lowered her hand slowly.

“And you,” she added gently, “need someone who learns to meet you halfway.”

Her gaze lingered on Maya, certain and sincere.

“And he will,” Dahlia said quietly. “Because love-real love-is learned. Sometimes late. Sometimes clumsily.” A pause. “But when it’s worth it… it changes everything.”

Maya swallowed, emotion tightening her throat, but she didn’t look away.

“I know,” she said softly. “I just want him to trust me… the way I trust him.”

Her fingers curled slightly, grounding herself.

“I’m not afraid of his armor,” Maya continued, her gaze steady now. “I just don’t want to feel like I’m fighting it alone.” She paused, then added with quiet resolve, “I’m willing to be patient. I just need him to meet me there-eventually.”

She looked up at Dahlia again, a faint smile touching her lips.

“And I believe he will.”

Dahlia held Maya’s gaze for a moment longer, something steady and assured settling behind her eyes.

“I’m glad to hear that,” she said gently. “Because yes-you’re right, he will.” A small, knowing smile curved her lips. “Damien may be slow when it comes to matters of the heart, but when he learns… he learns completely. And when he chooses, he doesn’t let go.”

She squeezed Maya’s hand once, firm and reassuring. “Trust that. Trust him-just enough to let him grow.”

Chapter 169 A Shift in Power-2

+25 Printa

Then her attention shifted, eyes flicking briefly to the antique clock mounted above the shelves. Her brows lifted.

“Well,” she said, straightening, “it’s nearly ten. We’d better get going.”

Maya nodded, carefully closing the lid of the gun case. The soft click echoed faintly as she set it back on the table, fingers lingering for half a second longer than necessary.

Dahlia turned away-then stopped mid-step.

“… You know what?” she said suddenly, a spark of inspiration lighting her expression. “I have an idea.”

Maya looked up, curiosity piqued. “An idea?”

Dahlia was already reaching for her phone. She dialed without hesitation, the call connecting almost immediately.

“Please have the vehicle ready at the back,” she said evenly. “We’ll be leaving through the rear gates.”

She ended the call and turned back to Maya, eyes gleaming with quiet purpose.

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