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The more information that he knew about what happened a few years before, the more he loved the woman in front of his eyes.

He had been so blind, so utterly stupid.

Only someone in a deep rage would miss all the signs that he now saw as clear as day.

Maya was on the verge of tears as she broke up with him on that day, everything indicated that there was something wrong and yet, he hadn't realized any of it.

Even after, when he found out that she had quit her job at the Dome, he should've looked into it.

"Stop blaming yourself." Maya muttered as she sighed. It was all out now.

"I was so blind..."

"You were pissed, and heartbroken. I did that."

"You knew that you had to break my heart."

"I needed you to believe I didn't have feelings anymore."

Maya was completely shocked as he wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

"Thank you" he muttered. Maya couldn't understand what he meant but soon realized that he was crying as she felt the wetness on the back of her neck.

"What for? I hid your daughter for 5 years and broke your heart."

"You did all you could think of to survive."

"Yeah."

"And to keep me safe."

"Well... I love...hum...loved you."

"I love you too."

Those words made her eyes widen and tears finally struck her face now. It was a bit shocking to hear them after so long.

"Even now?"

"Now and always. It never changed, even when I wanted to hate you."

She gave him a weak smile. There was no doubt that they would have a long way to go, and a lot of healing to do, but hearing those simple three words made it all better.

"I... the investigation turned cold after a few years. I don't know if they kept watching you or not. I just lost my hope a long time ago when my friend from college couldn't figure out much more."

"You planned on going back?"

"My plan was never to stay in Canada. It was a temporary fix until we figured out who was behind it. As soon as I knew we were safe, I wanted to go back."

"I need to call my team." he muttered right away.

"If it's about this... it's best if you use another phone."

Her quick thinking made him wonder just how much she had to panic every time she made a decision in the past years. Every call, every little message could make them realize where she was and the existence of Kaiya.

"Your mom..."

"Doesn't know. I haven't spoken to her in 5 years."

"Maya..."

"I couldn't, Yuzu. She is too close to your mom, it was too risky."

"Chiara?"

"Knows about Kaiya but not much more. We speak every now and then and I sent her a few pictures through the years. No one knew where I was."

He asked for her phone and 5 minutes before they could resume the conversation. Maya knew he wanted to contact his team in hopes of finding out more about the current situation and whether those people were still watching him.

She patiently waited for him as she watched the skater pace around the room while he spoke on the phone. His face was stern and focused as if getting ready for one of his competitions.

About ten minutes later, he disconnected the call, looking a bit frustrated, and sat by her side again.

"They barely believed me... It took me saying that I had the letters on my hand for them to believe the whole thing."

"Yeah, I always thought you wouldn't believe me if I told the truth without proof"

Sighing, Yuzuru figured that it was best to shift the conversation slightly.

"What about Tracy? She knows, doesn't she?"

"To be fair, she didn't know it was you. She only found out about that now."

Maya told him everything, from the financial struggles to the complications in the pregnancy. She told him how Tracy's son had found her at the supermarket and how he helped her get to the hospital.

In the end, she shared just how much the older coach had been important for them and how life-saving meeting her had been.

"You struggled so much... all by yourself."

"I had Kaiya, and later I had Tracy and her family. It was crazy that I found my way to the TCC, but you're the one who believes in fate."

"Why can't things ever be simple with us?"

She had to chuckle at that.

It was maybe the first real laugh that she uttered about the whole situation. Now that Yuzu knew, part of Maya couldn't help but think that maybe they would be able to fix the situation after all, that maybe Kaiya could have a father in her life, and in the best of hopes, that they might be able to return to Japan.

She missed her home country but more than anything, she missed Yuzuru.

"I missed you, Yuzu."

He hugged her close once again.

"I missed you too, princess. So, so much."

"I don't know what the future holds... I'm afraid."

"I will fix everything."

"You can't be sure."

"I am. I will fix everything, and I will make it safe for you and our girl."

Hearing him say it like that made her cry for what felt like the millionth time that night.

"You think we could go back? If you fix things?"

Yuzuru gave her the most beautiful of grins.

"When I fix things, you are welcome to go back. And if you'll have me, I want to be in her life, be her father."

"Yeah...That... that would be nice."

"And maybe, who knows... if you ever find yourself loving me again... the offer and the ring still stand. You're the only woman I will ever want and the only one I would ever be willing to marry."








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