Chapter 9: The Betrayal I Never Saw Coming
I couldn’t move.
The name on the page blurred.
I read it again.
Then again.
My brain refused to accept it.
Lauren watched my face.
“Who is it?””
I didn’t answer.
Because saying the name out loud would make it real.
“Maya.””
I folded the paper.
“It’s Daniel.””
Lauren’s expression changed.
“Your friend?””
“My partner.””
The same person who stood beside me when Bell & Bloom opened.
The same person who knew every fear I had.
The same person who promised we would never hide things from each other.
Lauren sat back.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
“No.””
I looked at her.
“It doesn’t.””
The doorbell rang.
Both of us froze.
Nobody knew I was here.
I walked toward the entrance slowly.
When I opened the door, Daniel was standing there.
My stomach dropped.
“What are you doing here?””
He looked at Lauren.
Then at me.
“I need to explain.””
I stepped outside.
“You already explained.””
“No, Maya.””
His voice cracked.
“Not everything.””
The anger returned.
“How much more is there?””
Daniel looked down.
“I was the one who gave your mother information about Lauren’s father.””
I froze.
“What?””
“I found evidence when I worked at Sterling.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because your mother asked me not to.””
I stared.
“My mother?””
He nodded.
“She knew if you found out, you would go after them.””
“Maybe I had a right to.””
“Yes.””
He looked at me.
“You did.””
The honesty made me pause.
“Then why?””
Daniel took a breath.
“Because your mother knew you.””
I said nothing.
“She knew you would spend years trying to prove people wrong instead of living your own life.””
That sounded exactly like something my mother would say.
But it didn’t excuse him.
“You still lied.””
“Yes.””
“Why now?””
Daniel looked at the ground.
“Because Lauren’s father is trying to come back.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What?””
“He knows about the Northbridge account.””
A cold feeling spread through me.
“He knows?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Daniel hesitated.
And that hesitation told me everything.
“Daniel.””
He looked at me.
“He has someone inside your company.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“What?””
“He has been collecting information for months.””
“Who?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
“Who?””
His face became serious.
“Maya, before I tell you, you need to understand something.””
“What?””
“He’s not trying to stop your contract.””
“Then what is he doing?””
Daniel looked toward the house.
Then back at me.
“He’s trying to take control of your company.””
The world seemed to slow down.
Everything I built.
Every restaurant.
Every employee.
Every sacrifice.
Someone wanted to take it.
“Who is helping him?””
Daniel reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a folder.
“I found this yesterday.””
I opened it.
Inside were financial records.
Emails.
Private messages.
And one signature.
A signature that made my hands shake.
Because it belonged to someone I trusted.
Someone who had access to everything.
Someone who knew every weakness in my company.
I looked at Daniel.
“Tell me this isn’t real.””
He couldn’t.
Because the truth was already there.
Then my phone rang.
The number was from Bell & Bloom.
I answered.
“Hello?””
My restaurant manager sounded terrified.
“Maya…”
“What happened?””
“There’s someone here.””
“Who?””
A pause.
Then:
“He says he owns part of Bell & Bloom.””
My heart stopped.
Because I knew that wasn’t possible.
I owned every share.
Every decision.
Every piece.
Then my manager whispered the name.
And suddenly, the betrayal became real.
“Your husband is here.””
I went completely still.
Because my husband had been the one person I never suspected.
May you like
And he was standing inside my restaurant…
claiming it belonged to him.
