Rising from the Ashes The Heiress They Tried to Erase

Chapter 4:

Snapping out of it, Maia quickly turned her head, realizing just how obvious she’d been.

“My bad,” she mumbled. “Should we head inside?” she asked, trying to recover.

Together, they made their way into City Hall. When they came back out, a marriage certificate rested in Chris’s hand.

“I’ll keep my end of the bargain, Mr. Cooper. Once Zoey’s request is fulfilled, I won’t stick around. I’ll file for divorce right after,” Maia said.

Feelings weren’t part of their arrangement, and she wasn’t delusional. Most men wouldn’t sign up for a life with someone who had a prison record.

Chris tilted his head, casting her a look. Her dark hair danced in the breeze, and while her face was striking, there was something clear and honest in her eyes. Instead of answering her directly, he asked, “Is my aunt doing okay in there?”

Thrown off by the change in topic, Maia answered quickly, “She’s healthy. Nothing bad has happened to her.”

After a short pause, she pressed her lips together.

Truth be told, Zoey didn’t just survive in prison — she thrived. It was practically her comfort zone.

“Glad to hear it.” Chris didn’t ask anything more. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a sleek credit card, and handed it to her. “Here. A little something to welcome you in.”

Maia shook her head, hands raised in protest. “That’s not necessary. I’ve got…”

“My own money.”

Sure, they were now legally married, but it was still their first day meeting. And from what Zoey had shared, Chris might’ve had the Cooper name, but he was treated like an outsider. His standing in the family and at the Cooper Group was practically nonexistent.

From what she’d heard, he held no serious job title and spent most days drifting aimlessly. She figured that he probably didn’t have much saved up either.

The thought of accepting anything from him made her uncomfortable. But Chris didn’t waver. He took her hand, placed the card firmly in her palm, and didn’t let go.

His eyes locked onto hers — cool, enigmatic, and impossible to read.

“We just completed the marriage registration, which technically makes me your husband now. That gives you every right to use my money. Or is it that you’re turning it down because you’re not ready to admit I’m your husband?”

Hearing that word — “husband” — sent a faint flush across Maia’s otherwise composed features.

“I’m not saying that…” Maia began, trying to explain, but her voice trailed off before she could land on the right words.

Without another word, she took the card and gave him a quiet, polite thank you. Seeing her relent, Chris showed a smile of approval.

“So, where are you heading? I’ll give you a ride.”noveldrama

At that moment, a weight settled in Maia’s chest. Her plan was to return to the Morgan family home.

It wasn’t the house she cared about. What mattered was the bracelet — the last gift from her grandmother, Vicki Morgan.

Back when Richard and Sandra treated her like an afterthought, Vicki had been the one constant. She had taught Maia everything from table manners to standing tall in a crowd.

Though no blood tied them together, Vicki’s love had been as real as any grandmother’s.

Maia knew, without a doubt, that if Vicki had still been alive, she would’ve defended her with everything she had.

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