Chapter 89

Maya’s POV

We remained motionless for a few heartbeats, utterly speechless—as if the entire world had stopped turning. Deep down, I already knew he’d pieced it together. No matter how many more lies I spun or how long I denied my true identity, there was no escaping the truth now. Perhaps, in a twisted way, it was for the best. Everything lay bare before him, yet neither of us uttered a single word. Releasing that fear of being unmasked would free me from its chains once and for all. At this moment, Adrian stood face-to-face with a living ghost of his own making. I let a small smirk curl on my lips. All right, Adrian. Let’s haunt you, then.

“Ma—” he began, but before he could finish, the Mayor emerged from his office, alert to our standoff.

“Mrs. Hart, allow me to introduce Mr. Adrian Brooks.”

I cut in, voice dippi