Chapter 25: Untangling Emotions

Days passed on, and the tension between Maya, James, and Tony continued to escalate. James found himself deeply affected by Maya's unsaid response of his proposal, feeling as if she had broken his heart despite the fact that they were not officially in a relationship. The distance Maya created between them left James feeling wounded and confused.

One evening, James and Aunt Loretta sat down for dinner, their conversation was heavy with the weight of their shared concern. James's voice was filled with a mix of frustration and sadness as he spoke about Maya's refusal to engage with him.

"I don't understand, Aunt Loretta," James began, his words punctuated by a heavy sigh. "I poured my heart out to Maya, and yet she won't even acknowledge me. She's deliberately avoids any chance for us to talk this days."

Aunt Loretta listened attentively, her expression displaying a combination of empathy and wisdom. She knew that the situation was complex and filled with emotional turmoil.

"My dear Ja