Page 217 of Divine Obsession

Maria leaned into his embrace, her arms wrapping around him tightly. “I know. I’m glad she’s not my mother,” She whispered, her voice barely audible.

“What now?” Zach asked, turning back to the man.

The stranger sighed. “I keep digging. I’ll try to find connections, but I gotta say, there’s not much to go on. Everything Ruiz told you – about molding killers from youth? Bullshit. You were trafficked, just for different reasons.”

Maria’s expression darkened, her hands tightening against Zach’s shirt.

“Why would Ruiz make that up?”

“Whatever the truth is, she didn’t want you finding it out,” The man replied, his answer directed at Maria. “She knew you’d look for answers.”

She nodded slowly, her jaw tightening. “It was her last attempt to throw us off course.”

Zach kissed her temple. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”

The weight of his promise seemed to ease some of the tension in the room. But as Maria pulled herself together, I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine.

Trevor was the first to step forward. “I’ll walk you out. Unless?”

“Thank you, but I’m afraid I have other occupations tonight.”

“Thanks for coming by on such short notice.”

The man gave a curt nod.

As Trevor guided him out, I lingered behind, adjusting one of the ornaments on the hallway table. It wasn’t intentional, but the faint sound of Maria and Zach’s voices caught my attention.

“You told me the mouth swab test was just for a check-up,” Maria said, her tone half-playful, half-accusatory.

“I didn’t want to bother you with it again,” Zach replied, his voice lowering in what I could only have described as soft charm. “Especially if it ended up being a dead end.”

Maria snorted. “Dead end.”

“You sure you want to study International Business? You should do stand-up.”

His teasing tone earned him a sharp elbow to the side. I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder in time to see him wince and laugh simultaneously.

Maria shook her head, though I noticed the soft smile tugging at her lips as Zach threw an arm around her.

They turned toward the living area, their conversation fading into the hum of the gathering as I made my way to rejoin Trevor. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen them exchange their characteristic mix of banter and affection, but something about it tonight felt… Anchored. Solid.

Trevor’s voice pulled me back, his hand softly touching my growing stomach. “You okay?”

I nodded, linking my arm through his as we watched Maria and Zach walk further into the grand living room together. “Yeah,” I said softly, a smile forming. “I think they’re going to be okay too.”

As we joined the party, the energy in the penthouse crackled with anticipation when the countdown began. The towering windows showcased the glittering skyline of New York City, fireworks poised to explode over the Hudson. Laughter and the clinking of champagne flutes filled the space, but my focus remained on the warmth of Trevor’s hand resting on my small stomach.

“Ten!” The voices of our friends rose in unison.

Trevor’s gaze flicked down to mine, something tender and knowing in his eyes.

“Nine!”

Zach and Maria were still across the room, swaying slightly as he murmured something into her ear, making her laugh and hide her face in his chest.

“Eight!”

Maria’s gaze caught mine over her shoulder, and a soft understanding transcribed between us before we both turned to our guys.

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