Chapter 37. Between Lies and Loyalties
After they left the restaurant around 6:30 p.m., James and Maria went straight to the hotel he had earlier reserved.
What followed was a night of intense passion—they had multiple rounds of sex, each more intense than the last.
Maria’s thoughts swirled with a sense of urgency. Her only focus was breaking free from Bernard and his family’s grip.
Once they were done, both fell into a deep sleep, exhausted. But around 8 p.m., Maria woke up with a start. She quickly tiptoed to the bathroom, cleaned up, and returned to find James still asleep.
She decided not to wake him, knowing they’d see each other at college the next day.
Stepping outside the hotel, Maria flagged down a taxi. The short ride home gave her time to rehearse the lies she’d prepared. She was already back in the outfit she wore earlier that day.
As she stepped into the compound, the tension was thick in the air. Even the guards looked at her with suspicious eyes. Beta Gilbert was the first to notice her return. He said nothing but simply watched as she walked in.
Bernard was the first to confront her, standing up angrily.
"Where have you been, Maria?" he asked, his voice sharp and accusing.
"Cassandra and I went to do some research on our courses. We lost track of time. I’m sorry for coming home late," she replied, delivering the lines she’d memorized with a calm expression.
Bernard stared at her silently, his eyes burning with mistrust.