Blood 30

 

Chapter 30 – Happily Ever After? 

“You took initiative none of us saw coming,” one of them said, his tone halfway between shame 

and admiration. 

Another added, “You’ve proven yourself as your father’s daughter.” 

I nodded, keeping my expression. “I didn’t do this alone. I did it for him-and for Maple Group.” 

They exchanged glances, then one stood. “We should host a proper celebration. A formal handover of the company back to you, Miss Maple. It’s long overdue.” 

The words washed over me like sunlight. For the first time in weeks, the world wasn’t mocking me, it wasn’t dragging me through mud. 

This time, the headlines were in my favor: 

Donald Reeds Arrested in Murder Conspiracy. 

Heiress Kira Maple Reclaims Maple Group. 

Fugitive Lily Maple Wanted by Authorities. 

My uncle was dead. Donald was in custody. Lily was nowhere to be found, her face plastered or every news channel. 

The empire they built on lies had crumbled, while mine was rising from ashes. 

hat evening, Damon leaned casually against the balcony of my office, a glass of whiskey in his land. His sharp eyes studied me. 

So,” he said, smirking, “you’ve burned them all to the ground. What’s next, Queen Kira?” 

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hesitated. The fire of revenge that had fueled me for weeks was finally dimming. For the first ime, I didn’t know what came after. 

I don’t know,” I admitted softly. “But for now-I’ll take over my father’s business. That’s what 

>we him.” 

His smirk softened into something almost tender. “Good answer.” 

The day of the celebration arrived. I stood before the mirror, my gown shimmering with silver hreads, my hair pinned perfectly. 

Downstairs, Damon waited, leaning against the car. The moment his eyes landed on me, his lips curved into that infuriatingly cocky grin. 

‘You clean up nice,” he drawled. 

arched my brow. “Just nice?” 

He chuckled, opening the car door for me. “Don’t get cocky, Maple. You’re tolerable at best.” 

I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips as I slipped inside. 

– 

The banquet hall glowed with crystal chandeliers and applause as I stepped inside. Cameras flashed. Reporters whispered. My heart pounded, but it wasn’t from fear-it was from 

Chapter 30 – Happily Ever After 

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triumph. 

I climbed the steps toward the podium, ready to take the mantle that had been stolen from me. The board members rose in respect, the crowd erupting in cheers. 

But then, a scream cut through the applause. 

The crowd parted, and a figure in a hoodie stumbled forward. Gasps rippled through the room as the hood fell back, revealing Lily. 

Her once-perfect curls hung in greasy clumps, her dress torn, her eyes wild. She looked like a ghost dragged out of the gutter. 

‘Kira!” she shrieked, her voice hoarse. “You ruined me! You took everything from me!” 

froze, my heart skipping. But then I straightened, my voice steady. “No, Lily. You ruined yourself All I did was show the world who you really are.” 

She laughed, a sound jagged and unhinged. “Do you think you’ve won? I came prepared this ime.” 

Before security could reach her, she pulled a gun from beneath her hoodie. The metallic click echoed like thunder. 

The room erupted into chaos. Screams, chairs overturning, people rushing for the exits. 

couldn’t move. My body locked, my lungs refusing to breathe. 

And then-before I could react-someone slammed into me, pushing me back. A gunshot rang 

>ut, deafening. 

blinked. Damon was in front of me, his body shielding mine. Blood bloomed across his shirt. 

Damon!” I cried, horror gripping me. 

Security tackled Lily, but she fought like a cornered animal, firing wildly. 

Two guards fell before the others finally overpowered her. 

Gunshots traded back and forth until Lily collapsed, her body crumpling to the marble floor dead 

But my focus was only on Damon. He sagged against me, his lips stained red. 

Still, his cocky grin flickered through the pain. “Guess… I do stupid things sometimes.” 

Tears blurred my vision. “Why would 

vision. “Why would you do that? Why would you take a bullet for me?” 

He coughed, wincing, but his voice was steady. “Maybe… maybe because we weren’t just rauma-bonding after all. Maybe because… I feel something for you, Kira. Something I was too scared to admit. But I couldn’t-” His voice broke. “-I couldn’t watch you die.” 

My hands pressed against the wound as medics rushed in. “Don’t you dare leave me, Damon. Do you hear me? Don’t you dare!” 

Hours later, I paced the hospital corridor, my palms sweaty, my heart slamming against my ribs. The red “surgery in progress” light above the door felt like a curse. 

When the surgeon finally emerged, removing his mask, his words were like oxygen: “The surgery 

was successful. He’ll live.” 

Relief tore through me so strong my knees nearly gave out. I rushed inside the room, tears still streaming. 

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Damon lay pale but breathing, bandages wrapped around his chest. His lips curved the moment 

he saw me. 

“You look terrible,” he whispered hoarsely. 

I choked on a laugh, hitting him lightly on the arm. “Idiot.” My tears fell, unstoppable. 

He smirked faintly. “Did you… miss me?” 

I pouted, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Of course I did.” 

“Come closer,” he murmured. “So you can see my bruise.” 

I leaned down, my heart still fragile. And in one swift motion, he pulled me close and kissed me. The kiss was soft, warm, and unexpected. When we pulled apart, my face burned crimson. 

He grinned weakly. “I think I’ve got feelings for you. The real kind. The terrifying kind. And I want to explore them-with you.” 

I swallowed hard, my heart a mess of fear and longing. “I’m… uncertain, Damon. But I know one thing-I don’t want to lose you either. So… let’s figure it out. Together.” 

His hand found mine, squeezing lightly. “Together, then.” 

I leaned into him and rested my head on his chest. I didn’t know what would come after today but everything was finally over and right now I was content.