**Chapter 8: Morning After**

The warmth of Beck's body lingered on her skin, a gentle reminder of the passion they had shared. Maya's eyes drifted closed, her chest rising and falling with each breath as she relived the moments of their lovemaking. She smiled, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her. This was what she had been missing – the connection, the intimacy, the love. As she lay there, Maya's mind began to wander to the events that had led her to this moment. She thought about her past, about the choices she had made, and the paths she had taken. She thought about the people she had hurt, and those who had hurt her. The memories swirled in her mind, a jumbled mix of pain and regret. Beck's gentle fingers brushed against her skin, pulling her back to the present. "Hey, you okay?" he asked, his voice low and concerned. Maya's eyes fluttered open, locking onto his. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice soft. Beck's gaze searched hers, his eyes probing for any sign of distress. "You were a million miles away," he said, his voice gentle. "What's going on?" Maya hesitated, unsure of how to share her thoughts. But something about Beck's expression told her that he would listen, that he would understand. "I was just thinking about my past," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Beck's face softened, his eyes filled with compassion. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," he said, his voice gentle. Maya's gaze dropped, her eyes welling up with tears. "I don't know, Beck," she said, her voice cracking. "I just feel like I've made so many mistakes. I've hurt people, and I've been hurt. I don't know if I deserve to be happy." Beck's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. "You do deserve to be happy, Maya," he said, his voice firm. "You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I'm here to help you find it." As he spoke, Maya felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She knew that she still had a long way to go, that she still had to confront her demons. But with Beck by her side, she felt like she could face anything. The sun was rising, casting a warm glow over the room. Maya and Beck lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, as the world outside began to wake up. They knew that they had a future to build, a life to create together. And they were ready to face it, hand in hand. As they lay there, Maya's phone buzzed on the nightstand. She hesitated, unsure of whether to answer it. But something about the ringtone seemed insistent, urgent. She reached over, picking up the phone. "Hello?" she said, her voice cautious. "Maya, it's me," a voice said on the other end of the line. "I need to talk to you." Maya's heart sank, her instincts telling her that something was wrong. She glanced over at Beck, her eyes locking onto his. "Who is it?" she asked, her voice firm. There was a pause on the other end of the line. "It's Ethan," the voice said finally. "I need to talk to you about your sister." Maya's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with possibilities. What did Ethan want to talk about? And what did it have to do with her sister? She glanced over at Beck, her eyes searching for reassurance. "Tell me more," she said, her voice firm. As she listened to Ethan's words, Maya's world began to unravel. She felt Beck's arms tighten around her, his presence a steady anchor in the midst of the storm. She knew that she was about to face something big, something that would change her life forever. And she was ready, as long as Beck was by her side.