Five minutes passed. Maeve's voice rose and fell, each note clinging to the air like smoke from a prayer candle.
But only sobs could be heard.
Nothing else, no livestream alerts. No sudden leaks.
Ama wiped her tears, her eyes glistening with something Maeve couldn't read. She remembered the past and everything she's been through.
Becky quickly wiped her tears and scrolled quickly through her phone, then shook her head. The thief didn't steal anything this time. The internet was silent.
And that was when Maeve knew.
The thief wasn't some faceless shadow. It was Ama. The same Ama who stood smiling in front of her. The same Ama who had ruined her once, and was trying to ruin her again.
"That was beautiful," Ama finally said sniffling. She couldn't believe she had just cried for Maeve's song. She hated the bitch and was only here to show fake concern because Mirabelle asked her to.
"You know, Maeve, sometimes your bad attitude makes me forget you're one of the best vocalists alive." She said.
"I don't know what's gotten into you, Maeve, but you need to wake up before you ruin more things."
Maeve stayed silent, her hands tightening around the mic. Even if she chose Fred again, her life would mirror the past, filled with sorrow and betrayal.
Ama sighed. "Since you won't pick up your phone, the Orchard family has invited you to dinner. They want to know why you cheated and dumped Fred."
"He's the one who asked for a divorce. I only accepted it," Maeve replied flatly. She fought the urge to grab Ama by the hair and beat her up. She couldn't believe the same people she had given her life for would betray her like this.
What really was Ama's excuse? Why did she ruin her?
"It doesn't matter who asked first. Have you forgotten how much you love Fred?"
"That's all in the past." Maeve brushed her off.
"No, it isn't. The night before your wedding, you swore you'd never leave him. That's why Mira..." Ama stopped herself.
Had set her up, Maeve knew all about it. She smiled.
Maeve hoped they had enjoyed their five seconds of laughter. Because she'll be back with her revenge.
"Like I said, it's over," she cut in coldly.
Before Ama could answer, Becky rushed forward. "Miss Maeve, you need to see this."
"What is it?"
"Silver Crown entertainment just announced their new top artist. She's replacing you. Her debut album drops next month."
Maeve turned sharply toward Ama, who smiled like she'd been waiting for this moment.
"Surprised?" Ama asked sweetly. "You brought it on yourself, Maeve. Make things right before it's too late. One decision from you could change everything. Fred is furious, and he won't stop until you apologize."
Becky's voice trembled. "Miss Maeve, she's getting everything meant for you, endorsements, deals, all of it! Meanwhile, the only thing left for you is that cheap Tamu deal. Those people are scammers! Signing with them will destroy your brand!"
Her hands shook. "Please, make things right with Mr. Orchard before he buries you completely."
Fred owned not just Maeve's music, but Maeve herself. Her name, her songs, her next five years. Every release had to pass through him. She owed him five years of her life and every cent his label had poured into her.
If she were still his wife, maybe she could have survived it. But that would mean dying again, and Maeve refused to die twice.
---
That night, she finally returned home. A week had passed since the scandal broke, but she had avoided stepping foot inside her house. Not because it disgusted her, but because she knew Fred and Mirabelle would be waiting, circling like vultures.
Maeve showered quickly and dressed. In the end, Ama had convinced her to attend the family dinner, but not for reconciliation. She was going there to end it all. To finalize the divorce in front of the Orchard family.
A ruined career was better than dying a foolish woman twice. Even if she was destroyed, she could rebuild herself from scratch, with her talent, her name, her truth.
Her phone buzzed as she zipped up her dress. A notification from Clouta flashed across the screen:
"Billionaire and CEO Clayton Grey of Reven's Corp is now on Clouta."
Maeve frowned. Clayton Grey? The untouchable billionaire?
What was a man like him doing on a gossip platform? Didn't he have empires to run?
She slipped on her heels, adjusted her jewelry, and left the house.
When she arrived at the Orchard mansion, the guards rushed forward to open the car door for her, as always. Even though she was divorced from Fred, the Orchards hadn't accepted it, so they still treated her like family.
The Orchards weren't the most powerful family in the country, but Fred's fame and fortune had elevated them high in society's ranks.
Though he was a nepo baby, he worked like a man who had known hunger. He'd clawed his way up, and lifted his family with him.
Maeve stepped onto the concrete driveway, her dress brushing against her legs, and walked into the towering mansion. The last time she came here, Fred had been by her side. This time, she walked in alone.
The butler guided her to the dining room. Every face turned toward her as she entered, the family already seated around the long, glittering table.
"Eve," Mirabelle said, her voice sharp, her smile colder than the silverware.