The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 46

apter 28: What’s Left After the Storm-1

She let out a soft, fractured cry as Jamie rushed to her.

+25 Points

James stepped aside just in time as the boy reached her bedside. His arms wrapped around her waist, trembling with the weight of days spent in fear. He held on like he might lose her

again.

And Maya clung to him like she’d never let go.

Her baby brother.

Her reason for everything.

Maya’s breath hitched as she buried her face in his shoulder. Jamie smelled like home-like worn cotton, detergent, and city air. The warmth of his arms grounded her more than the heart monitor, the sterile white walls, or the IV drip in her vein.

She squeezed tighter. Tighter.

Just to feel that he was real.

“Jamie,” she whispered, voice breaking. “Jamie…”

Ms. Janice entered more slowly, her hand pressed over her mouth, tears spilling freely. The moment her eyes landed on Maya-tired, bruised, but awake-her knees nearly buckled.

“Oh, Maya,” she breathed. “Thank God.”

Maya couldn’t speak. Her throat burned. The back of her skull throbbed. But Ms. Janice came closer, brushing hair gently from her forehead the way only a mother figure could.

And for one precious moment, the room stilled.

No one moved. No one spoke.

It was the first breath of calm after a hurricane-fragile, trembling, full of things unsaid.

Slowly, Maya pulled back just enough to look at Jamie. Her hands shook as they settled on his shoulders.

“Are you okay?” she whispered, hoarse.

Jamie nodded quickly, though his eyes were rimmed red. “I’m fine. Just.. scared. Mr. Horton and Monroe came to the apartment when you didn’t show up for work. Then Ms. Janice arrived and told them she saw you leave with Beckett. That’s when we knew…”

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<Chapter 28 What’s Left After the Storm-1

He swallowed. “They went after you. They found you. You’re safe now.”

Safe.

The word echoed in her chest, trying to root itself-but the fear hadn’t let go yet.

+25 Points

She looked at Ms. Janice, who nodded tearfully. “You scared us half to death, sweetheart. Jamie stayed up all night. He didn’t eat. Couldn’t sleep.”

Maya’s chest twisted. Her brother’s face-too pale, too tired-looked older than fifteen.

“I’m so sorry,” she choked out, gripping his hand. “Jamie, I’m so sorry.”

But he shook his head quickly, fiercely. “No. You don’t get to say sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. He took you. I.. I couldn’t do anything.”

The helplessness in his voice shattered her.

“No,” Maya said, voice trembling. “Don’t say that.”

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