Maya stood behind her table at the neighborhood night market, surrounded by string lights and music. Her booth was bigger now—real signage, a branded banner, even custom bags with her logo.


Every gloss on display was a product of pain and persistence.


Legacy. Soft Armor. No Apologies. Afterglow.

And the newest one: “Stay Watching.” A bold red with shimmer that hit like truth under streetlights.


Tia stood beside her, rocking her usual flawless glam and a fresh fade.


“Girl, you sold out of Legacy again. That’s your signature now.”


Maya grinned. “It’s the message. People feel it.”


More customers lined up. A group of teenage girls took selfies by the booth. An older woman told her she inspired her granddaughter to launch a skin-care line.


Everything should’ve felt perfect.


But Maya still had one eye on the crowd.


One foot braced for impact.


Back at home, after the market, Zaire was asleep. Maya took a long shower, washed off the night, and stepped out wrapped in a towel. The house was still. The silence was full.


She checked the locks. Again.


Then her phone buzzed.


Devin:

Meet me tomorrow. I want to show you something. 9am. 103rd and Racine. Come alone.


Maya frowned. She typed back:


Maya:

Is something wrong?


Devin:

Not wrong. Just real. You need to see it for yourself.


The next morning, she arrived early. The address led to an abandoned field, fenced off but still half-covered in cracked concrete and old signage.


Devin waved from inside the fence, clipboard in hand.


“What is this?” Maya asked.


He gestured toward a rusted sign that had once read "Ward Park Youth Center".


“This place used to be a cornerstone,” Devin said. “Till it was shut down. Bought for pennies by Malik’s real estate crew. Never reopened. Just sat here rotting.”


He pulled out a folder. “But the city just seized it. Fraud and money laundering charges. Malik’s going down. Darius too.”


Maya’s heart kicked in her chest.


“Why are you telling me this?”


“Because they used your name,” he said. “In two fake transactions last year. To legitimize stolen money.”


She blinked. “What?”


Devin nodded. “We caught it. But I need your statement. Officially. You’ll be protected. But we need your voice in this.”


Maya’s stomach twisted.


“But if I go on record…”


“You’ll be their enemy,” Devin finished. “I know.”


She turned to the field. The broken benches. The silence.


“How many girls been erased out here?” she asked.


Devin didn’t answer.


Maya looked back at him. Steady now.


“Then let’s start building something new. And I’ll say whatever I have to.”