Maya's heart pounded as she hurried up the stairs to her bedroom, her legs moving faster than her thoughts. The kiss—soft, unplanned—lingered on her lips like a persistent spark.

She pushed open her bedroom door, stepping inside and quietly closing it. Moonlight spilled through the window, dimly illuminating the room. Her breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling with a rhythm she couldn't control. Leaning against the door, she brushed her fingers over her lips, as if to convince herself it had really happened.

"What did I just do?" she whispered, her voice trembling. Dropping her hand, she slowly and uncertainly crossed the room. Sinking onto the bed's edge, she stared at the floor, her mind racing. Her cheeks burned, and her stomach churned with exhilaration and dread. Liam's wide, surprised eyes flashed in her mind. He hadn't even reacted.

She buried her face in her hands, groaning softly. "Why did I do that?" she muttered. This impulsive, bold behavior was so unlike her. She replayed the moment: how natural it had felt to lean in, how she hadn't considered the consequences, or that Liam was in love with Evelyn.

Falling back onto the bed, she stared at the ceiling. Her heart still raced, refusing to settle. Despite her turmoil, a small smile tugged at her lips. That fleeting moment had felt perfect, destined.

Yet, uncertainty crept in. What if she'd ruined their friendship? She was nothing like Evelyn—brilliant, accomplished. How could Liam possibly choose her over Evelyn? Until now, she was just a nanny, with no college degree or anything special to distinguish her. Who was she to think someone like Liam would be interested?

The thought tightened her chest, and she rolled onto her side, hugging a pillow. "I'll just pretend it didn't happen," she mumbled. But even as she spoke, she knew forgetting her first kiss would be impossible.

Outside, Liam remained in his seat, staring at the house, surprised. His mind was a chaotic whirlwind, centered on one thing: Maya had kissed him. He released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his lips pressing together. The feeling of her lips lingered—soft and electric. He could still see her wide, nervous eyes as she'd pulled away and fled. She hadn't spoken, leaving him stunned and frozen.

"Did that really just happen?" he murmured, glancing at his reflection in the rearview mirror as if it held the answer. Warmth spread through his chest, mixing with disbelief and confusion. He hadn't seen it coming— hadn't expected her to close the distance so suddenly, so fearlessly. But she had, and he couldn't stop thinking about it.

A small, amused smile touched his lips as he started the car and drove away. As he drove home, he thought of Maya—unpredictable and utterly captivating in an unexpected way. He never would have imagined this situation, but it didn't feel wrong. The kiss, brief as it was, felt natural, genuine, not calculated or hesitant.

He shook his head, chuckling softly. "Maya," he said aloud, the sound grounding him. But another thought intruded: What if he was reading too much into it? What if it was a mistake, a spur-of-the-moment action born of the evening's heightened emotions?

He sighed, loosening his grip on the wheel at a red light. "Don't overthink it, Liam," he told himself firmly. But how could he not? He thought of her smile that night, the gratitude in her eyes, how she'd leaned on him, trusted him, opened up to him. Did it mean something more? Or was he reading too much into it? And what about him? Was he interested in her? Had he moved on from Evelyn? Or was he simply distracting himself?

By the time he reached his driveway, his emotions were a tangled mess—excitement, confusion, hope, and fear. He killed the engine and sat in the dark car for a moment, staring out at the quiet street. Running a hand through his hair, he exhaled deeply.

Deciding to call Maya and let her know he'd arrived home, he dialed her number. The phone rang a few times, unanswered. He tried again; still no answer. Sighing, he got out of the car. The thought of Maya regretting the kiss sent an unexpected pang through his chest.

Back in Maya's room, she bit her lip, staring at her phone, too embarrassed and scared to answer. What if he was angry, disappointed? She picked up her phone and switched it off. She didn't want to face him tonight. Maybe another time.

As Maya drifted off to sleep, she dreamt of Derek, Evelyn, Samantha, and Liam, who had unknowingly found his way into her heart.

The next morning, Evelyn, Derek, and Maya sat at the breakfast table. Maya, a bundle of nerves, poked at her melon slices with her fork. She wasn't hungry; the embarrassing memory of the previous night swirled in her mind like a storm cloud. In the daylight, she realized she'd been out of her mind, throwing herself at Liam recklessly. Shame and regret weighed heavily on her. She'd turned off her phone and tucked it away. Facing Liam was a problem for later—after she'd devised an excuse and mustered the courage to apologize. For now, she needed to avoid hearing his voice or seeing any messages.

Across the table, Derek and Evelyn exchanged a silent look. Evelyn raised an eyebrow, encouraging Derek to speak. He cleared his throat. "Maya?" His voice was soft, concerned. "Are you okay?"

Maya's head jerked up, startled. Forcing a smile, she met his worried gaze. "Yes," she said quietly. "I'm fine. Just thinking."

Derek looked unconvinced, and Evelyn tilted her head, studying Maya with motherly patience. Before they could press further, Maya changed the subject, unwilling to discuss her thoughts. She twirled her fork and looked at Derek. "By the way," she said casually, "did your parents live in Husla before? How did they adopt you from there?"

Derek's expression softened as he leaned back. "Yes, they did. My dad managed the company in Husfa before taking over headquarters here. They moved here soon after the adoption."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "So, just like you were in Husla before coming here. Funny how you never crossed paths." She glanced between them.

Maya shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "How could we have? Husla is a big city, and we don't move in the same circles." She pointed out the difference in their upbringings.

Derek's expression shifted; a shadow of guilt flickered across his face. Evelyn noticed and covered his hand with hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Well, thanks to fate—and me—you both visited the same place. My life!"

Her playful tone broke the tension, and they chuckled. Evelyn kept the conversation flowing smoothly. Once the plates were cleared, she exchanged a serious look with Derek, subtly nodding.

Derek turned to Maya, his expression solemn. "Uhm, Maya," he began hesitantly.

Maya's eyes widened. She straightened, sensing the shift in his tone. Anxiety twisted her stomach. "I need to discuss something with you," Derek continued. She swallowed hard, nodding.

What is it? she wondered. Did he tell his parents, and they don't want someone like me in his life?

"I'm listening," she said, looking from Derek to Evelyn.

He glanced at Evelyn before locking eyes with Maya. "It's about our parents."

Maya blinked. "What about them?"

Derek hesitated, taking a deep breath. "That night. It wasn't an accident," he said finally. "They were murdered."

The words hung in the air. Maya's mouth fell open. "Murdered?" she whispered.

Derek nodded. "Yes."

Maya's mind raced. "But how? Why? Who would do that?"

"I don't know all the answers yet," Derek admitted, his voice steady but strained. "But I remember some things now. Pieces are coming back."

Maya's eyes widened. "You remember?"

Derek swallowed hard, his hand tightening around Evelyn's. "Not everything. But enough to know it wasn't an accident. I saw it happen." His voice faltered, and Evelyn squeezed his hand. He continued to recount his memory and what his mother had told him.

Maya's eyes welled with tears. Listening to him made her heart heavy with sorrow. Now she understood why he'd lost his memory—it had been too traumatic.

Maya stared at him, her throat tightening. "Derek I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

Derek nodded. "Now that I've found you, I want to know why they were murdered. I need answers."

"I want to know, too," Maya said, brushing away tears. She wanted to know why her parents had been taken from her.

Derek nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll find out the truth together."

"Together," Maya echoed, filled with resolve. They would find answers together.

Derek leaned forward. "I'll need a copy of the picture in your locket. And we should contact the orphanage. Knowing when I was brought in could help. If your mom were alive"

"I know the date," Maya interrupted.

"You do?" Derek blinked, surprised.

"Yes. It's my assumed birthday. My mother said she celebrates my birthday on the date she saw us," she said. A relieved sigh escaped Derek's lips.

"As weird as that sounds, it's a good start," Evelyn said. "Knowing the date and place will help." Derek and Maya agreed. Derek nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll get the answers. No matter what it takes, we will uncover the truth."