The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 573

Chapter 303: I Can’t Pretend This World Doesn’t Exist

Chapter 303: I Can’t Pretend This World Doesn’t Exist.

Maya couldn’t tear her eyes away from the two men behind the glass.

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Surprisingly, she didn’t feel afraid. She didn’t feel disturbed or even uncomfortable. Instead, an unexpected sense of understanding settled quietly within her.

Over the past few months, she had been slowly pulled into a world she never knew existed.

She had fallen in love with Damien and discovered just how far he was willing to go to protect the people he loved. She had seen what he was capable of, the choices he was willing to make, and

the way he delivered justice on his own terms.

She had come to know Nick and Harper beyond their carefree facades. She had lived under the same roof as the Blackwoods, spent countless hours with Dahlia, and earned her trust enough to be entrusted with a secret she had kept hidden even from her own family.

One day, she and Jaime had been nothing more than orphans struggling to survive. The next, they

had become part of a world filled with people powerful enough to change the world, yet kind

enough to open their hearts to two complete strangers.

Behind their wealth, influence, and privilege, however, lay responsibilities and burdens that few

people would ever truly understand.

She had experienced fear. She had known what it felt like to be helpless, vulnerable, and betrayed.

She had learned that trusting the wrong person could cost someone everything, and that evil didn’t

always announce itself before it struck.

Then came the revelation about her mother’s true identity…

Piece by piece, the world she once believed in had changed.

Harper was right. This was their reality.

And now… it was hers too.

She knew she couldn’t afford to be weak.

She knew there were people willing to destroy innocent lives for wealth, power, and greed.

She also knew that if she wanted to protect the people she loved, she had to accept the reality

Harper was showing her.

Simply hoping evil would disappear was never going to be enough.

Without realizing it, Maya took a step closer, getting a better look at the two men behind the glass.

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Chapter 303: I Can’t Pretend This World Doesn’t Exist.

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They had tried to destroy Harper’s family. They had shown no remorse for the innocent lives they

had endangered, all for the sake of greed and power.

If they were willing to go that far just to get what they wanted…

Who were they to deserve kindness?

Who were they to deserve forgiveness?

Who were they to deserve mercy?

If they had done it once, they would do it again. And what if, next time… They succeeded?

People like them weren’t ordinary criminals. They weren’t the kind of people who made mistakes out of anger or desperation. They were monsters who took lives without hesitation if it meant getting what they wanted.

The thought alone made Maya’s chest tighten.

Without warning, Jaime’s face appeared in her mind, and with it came a frightening realization.

If anyone ever tried to take him away from her… if anyone ever tried to hurt him or any of the people she loved…

She would do whatever it took to stop them… no matter the cost.

An uneasy quiet settled between them.

Harper remained where she stood, giving Maya the time she needed to process everything. Yet beneath her composed exterior, a quiet uncertainty crept into her heart.

Had she made the right decision bringing Maya here? Had she shown her too much… too soon?

Just as Harper was beginning to question herself, Maya finally broke the silence.

“…Why are they still alive?”

Harper blinked, genuine surprise flashing across her face

“What… what did you just say?”

Maya slowly turned to meet her eyes.

“They tried to kill your family,” she said calmly. “If they’re still alive… wouldn’t they just try again?”

Her gaze shifted back to the two prisoners behind the glass.

“They failed this time…”

A brief pause followed.

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“But what if they succeed next time?”

Harper stared at Maya in genuine surprise.

“Wait… You’re not scared?”

Maya shook her head.

“Not uncomfortable?” Harper asked, still unconvinced.

Maya let out a slow breath before meeting her eyes.

“Why would I be?” she asked calmly. “Like you said… this is my reality now too.”

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“I can’t pretend this world doesn’t exist just because it’s frightening. I can’t change it.” A faint, bittersweet smile touched her lips. “And even if I had never met Damien, Jaime and I would still be tied to a world that might be even more dangerous than this.”

For a brief moment, Harper simply stared at her before a slow smile spread across her face.

“Well…” she said with an amused chuckle. “…Now that’s unexpected.”

She folded her arms across her chest before giving Maya an approving nod.

“I’m impressed. Looks like you’re finally coming out of your shell.”

Maya let out a helpless laugh and shook her head.

“I actually knew someone was following me almost from the very beginning,” Harper admitted.

“I was planning to pay my ‘toys’ a little visit tonight…” She gestured toward the two brothers behind

the glass. “But when I realized it was you, I changed direction and brought you here instead.”

Without warning, Harper suddenly stepped forward and wrapped Maya in a warm hug.

“I’m glad I did.”

Maya hugged her back just as tightly, a grateful smile spreading across her face.

“Thank you, Harper. I’m glad you did too.”

As Maya embraced the reality of the world she had become a part of, another chapter of that very reality was quietly beginning to unfold.

Nearly an hour away from the Takahashi Estate, Cecilia’s vehicle turned onto a quiet, tree-lined street before coming to a gentle stop in front of an elegant two-story residence.

Though modest by royal standards, the home possessed a quiet elegance of its own. Its white stone façade, manicured gardens, and warm lights glowing through the windows gave it the

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