Chapter 5: Shadows of the Past
At home, Marcus prepared dinner while Maya sat at the kitchen island, quietly working on her homework. Since the loss of her mother four years earlier, Marcus had leaned heavily into his federal career to cope with grief, often leaving Maya with a sense of emotional distance despite his fierce protectiveness. Looking at her now, he realized that his relentless work schedule had created a barrier between them. "I should have been home to take those credentials myself, Maya," Marcus said gently, setting a plate down. "You shouldn't have been in that garage."
