He Thought I Loved Him, I Only Loved His Face Chapter 12

He Thought I Loved Him, I Only Loved His Face Chapter 12

“Ma’am, the plane is about to take off. Please turn off your phone or switch to airplane mode.”

“Okay.”

Maya glanced one last time at the photo on her screen. Her and Caleb. Then she powered it off.

The plane lifted off. Relief flooded through her.

She’d achieved what she came for.

From now on, she and Rowan Cross had nothing to do with each other.

She touched her belly, eyes soft with hope for the new life inside her.

The baby’s name would be Callie Vale.

Callie. From Caleb.

She and Caleb had chosen it together. A long time ago.

This child was her anchor. Her reason to keep walking through this world.

The plane jolted. Passengers stirred with nerves.

Maya’s hands went to her stomach instantly. Shielding.

The intercom crackled. “Ladies and gentlemen, please don’t be alarmed. That was normal turbulence. Cabin temperature is a bit low. Flight attendants will distribute additional blankets.”

The crowd settled.

Maya exhaled. She was cold. She shivered and pulled her thin blanket tighter.

When the attendant reached her row, she apologized. They were short on spare blankets. She’d need to find more.

“Take mine.”

A male voice. Deep. Pleasant.

Maya saw a hand extend toward her. Well-defined knuckles. Holding out a blanket.

“Thank you.”

“No problem. I’m not that cold.”

Maya took it and realized it wasn’t just one. More than one.

The quiet kindness warmed her. She wrapped herself up.

Maybe it was the pregnancy, but drowsiness overtook her.

She slept until the plane was nearly landing.

She looked out the window. The clouds had changed. She realized with full certainty: she had really left.

Alone, heading to an unfamiliar city. A future she never imagined. A courage she never had before.

But Callie was with her.

So she wasn’t afraid of anything.

The plane touched down in Seattle.

Maya pushed three suitcases slowly through the gate.

Stacking them, she fumbled. The top one tipped.

She reached to catch it, but someone was already there.

“Thank you. I’ve got it.”

“You again.”

The man’s voice carried a note of pleasant surprise.

Maya recognized his cuff. The man from the plane. The blanket.

Gratitude mixed with caution. She was a woman traveling alone. She couldn’t assume anyone’s intentions.

The man seemed to read her wariness. He looked like he wanted to say something but stopped. Just offered a polite goodbye.

Maya nodded slightly. She pushed her luggage out of the airport.

She pulled up the address and called for a car.