?Chapter 775:

    He had woken up early just to follow every detail of Maia’s disguise instructions. The oversized sunsses covered nearly half his face…

    Maia went even further — she wore a tailored zer, tied her hair into a tight bun, and topped it off with a cap and shades that concealed most of her features. Recognition seemed impossible.

    But at the airport, just as they moved past security, a sharp voice called out from the crowd.

    Maia! Maia!

    Panting heavily, Vince pushed his way through the sea of travelers. He hadn’t only been waiting outside MCN — he had arranged for someone to dig into Maia’s travel ns and discovered a booked flight to Sceibar. That discovery drove him here, desperate to catch her in time.

    He scoured the crowd frantically, moving from one group to another,pletely overlooking the disguised couple just a few steps away — Maia and Chris. At that same moment, a few airport security officers noticed his restless pacing and pulled him aside for questioning.

    Although removed from the restricted zone, Vince refused to give up. He stood at the barrier, shouting, his voice raw.

    Maia! Where are you? I know I messed up. Please… just give me one more chance!

    Again and again, his voice rang out, loud enough to make strangers pause and stare. The attention didn’t matter to him. All that mattered was whether Maia could hear him through the chaos.

    Traveler after traveler passed through the gates, but not once did he glimpse the woman he had been longing to see for weeks.

    I’m not quitting, Maia. I’ll wait for the day you return. When that dayes, I’ll make sure you see things differently, Vince muttered, stubborn hope burning in his eyes.

    And if heartfelt apologies weren’t enough to reach her… then he wasn’t above turning to other methods to win her back.

    ???€?? ￠?αt?εяs 1n ga?n?νεl?.???

    Burlwood Grove, Sceibar

    As dusk draped thendscape in violet hues, the ne descended with a soft hum. Its tires kissed the tarmac with a faint jolt, stirring Maia from the haze of half-sleep.

    The fatigue of ten long hours in the air clung to her bones. She ran a hand through her hair, gathered herself, and rose to retrieve her carry-on, instinctively ncing toward the window.

    Beyond the ss, snow-capped mountains shimmered like frozen sentinels beneath the fading light. Airport announcements rose in a medley ofnguages, underscored by a graceful symphony ying somewhere overhead, lending the terminal an air of quiet elegance and distant charm.

    Maia and Chris collected their luggage and stepped into the arrivals hall, where a massive banner stretched across the walkway read: Wee to Burlwood Grove, Ms. Maia Watson. — Alice Byrd

    A wry smile tugged at Maia’s lips. There was no point in hiding now. With a soft sigh, she slipped off her sunsses and pushed back the brim of her baseball cap.

    Almost instantly, Alice spotted her. Eyes bright and steps quick, she rushed forward and threw her arms around Maia.

    “Ms. Watson, you’re finally here!”

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