"Maeve!" Mirabelle darted toward her, wrapping her in a hug as if they hadn't seen each other in years. Even though this was only an act before the family members, she still acted out.
Maeve has no idea what was coming. This was only the beginning.
"You're finally back," Mirabelle whispered against her shoulder, relief dripping from her voice. "I thought you'd never come to your senses."
Maeve pulled away, her gaze drifting to the long dining table. Her Aunt Aurora, Fred's mother sat stiffly beside his Aunt Matilda, her elder sister. On the other side was his Aunt Genevieve, and next to her sat Uncle Brown Orchard, Fred's father himself.
The entire Orchard clan was at the table that night, including Fred, who didn't spare her a single glance.
Something felt different. Aurora, who usually greeted her with warmth, now had her lips pressed into a hard frown. One look was all it took for Maeve to realize Mirabelle had already worked her poisonous magic on them.
Maeve straightened her back, her heart steady. She wasn't here to beg for a place in their family anymore. Not tonight. Not ever again. She moved toward the table, a practiced smile curving her lips.
"I'm sorry I'm late for dinner," she said calmly, taking a seat.
"You're the only married woman I know who can't even keep a place in her husband's house," Matilda sneered, her fork clinking against the china before she even touched her food.
"I'm not married anymore, Aunty," Maeve replied evenly, though her jaw tightened. Matilda was her least favorite, the woman has hated her from the beginning of time because to her, she was a poor girl who didn't match their families standard.
Matilda leaned back, eyes narrowing. "Then I must have worded it wrongly. You're the only woman who gets married and sleeps with another man on the night of her wedding, then still divorce her husband. What was your aim, Maeve Davis?"
"Who said I cheated?" Maeve asked around.
"Do we all know listen to the publics opinion about a family member or them?"
"You said so yourself Maeve." Fred said finally.
"That was because I wanted to divorce you. I knew you wouldn't sign the papers if I said the truth." Maeve said. "Why would I marry a man who cannot trust me?"
"Maeve, are you doing this for attention. This is too much." Mirabelle cut in. "Fred and the Orchard family have loved us since our parents died. You cannot repay their kindness like this."
"You knew the truth, why didn't you at least clear the air."
"Do you take us for fools?" Genevieve snapped.
"Aunty, please for give my sister. I had told her the same thing, no woman just sleeps in a hotel room without anything. You can stop lying now Maeve, we're your family." At first Mirabelle had believed her sisters lies, but now she knew the truth.
She was the other source that has the tape and saw everything. They'll be posting it soon as planned and boost their career and company name.
"That's enough, you two. We already agreed she's forgiven, no matter what happened," Aurora suddenly said, her voice firm as she shushed her sisters and Mirabelle. She was defending Maeve, just like she had done in the past when everyone else had risen against her.
The scandal had caused so much trouble for the family. They had every right to be angry; Maeve would've been surprised if they weren't.
"You've spoiled this brat too much, Aurora. You always support her, no matter how wrong she is," Genevieve said furiously.
"Maeve," Aurora called, and Maeve turned toward her. "You've loved my Fred since you were a child. How could you betray him like this?"
"That's enough, Mother. It's clear she's not remorseful, I don't want her back," Fred interrupted coldly.
"Nonsense!" Aurora exclaimed. "No one gets divorced in the Orchard family. Not over a small matter like that. You can't tell me you haven't cheated on Maeve before Fred."
"Mother!" Fred called with wide eyes.
"All I'm saying is you two must settle your differences tonight, unless you want me dead."
Maeve smiled faintly. Aurora had always been dramatic and sweet. In her past life, when the world ridiculed her, Aurora had been the only one to stand by her. She wondered how the woman had felt when she heard about her death.
Maybe Maeve would have gone back to Fred then, but not in this life. In this life, she didn't want to be associated with death anymore.
"All right, Mother," Fred said finally, turning to Maeve. "If you apologize right now, maybe I'll accept you back."
The table fell silent. Everyone watched Maeve, waiting. When she hesitated, Mirabelle got up from her seat and moved closer.
"Maeve, think of me, think of us before you decide anything. Listen to everyone and apologize. This isn't the time to be proud," she said softly, tugging at Maeve's sleeve like a child.
Maeve almost laughed. She had no idea she had spoilt her sister so much caring for her. 19 and already acting a fool for a man.
"You're right, Mira," Maeve said with a small smile. "I'm sorry, Fred, for any trouble I may have caused you and your family," she said calmly with a smile even.
"I'm sorry Aunt Aurora, aunt Genevieve, aunt Matilda. You all have been my biggest rock and supporters. You're all like my mother's and I'm grateful for your love." Fred smiled. He knew she couldn't stay away from him for long.
Maybe he could push it just a little and humiliate her for humiliating him first.
"I'm not accepting you back until you kneel before everyone and apologize for the public disgrace." He said.
"I'm sorry Mr Orchard, but I can no longer be your wife."
"Maeve!" Mirabelle exclaimed, shaking her head gently.
"I came here today to let everyone know that Fred and I are officially over," Maeve declared.
Fred's eyes turned wide. Was this some joke, did he push her too much.
"I've forgiven you Maeve, you don't have to kneel anymore." He said proudly.
"Thank you very much Mr Orchard, that means a lot to me. But this doesn't mean I'm willing to accept you back. We're divorced already, and for the first time in my life, I enjoy being single." Fred's eyes rang at her words, anger and something else burning right through his soul.
"You cheated on me with another man on our wedding night!" Fred's voice thundered through the dining room, rattling the silverware.
"I've endured so much because of you. My family, my business, my name, they've all suffered because of you."
Maeve's hands curled into fists beneath the table, but her face remained calm. "And yet here you are, still clinging to me like you own me."
"Since I've caused nothing but trouble, it's best you stay away from me, Fred. Our relationship is nothing more than that of a boss and his worker," she said evenly, ignoring the silent glares circling the table.
"Such an ungrateful brat," Genevieve muttered. "It's your fault, Fred, for falling in love with such a menace."
"Don't worry, Aunty. It'll all be over today," Fred said, his jaw tight.
"This is your last chance, Maeve." He leaned forward, eyes blazing. "You've been the one chasing me from the beginning. There's no point pretending you don't love me in front of my family." He smirked.
"I'll give you one last chance, and you better not walk away, Maeve. You have no one besides me. Without the Orchard name, you're nothing."
He paused, then asked, "Do you still want to be my wife?"
The silence that followed was suffocating. Aunt Genevieve and Aunt Matilda exchanged knowing smirks. Mirabelle bit her lip, watching Maeve with false concern. Aurora's brows pinched together, silently pleading with her to yield.
But Maeve had yielded once before, in another life, and it had cost her everything.
"No," she said, her voice steady and almost amused.
Fred's breath caught in his throat.
"I'll ruin you!" he shouted. "I'll ruin you so badly you won't know what hit you, Maeve! If you think any other man would want you after that scandal, you must be a fool!"
"Is that so?" Maeve murmured. She pulled out her phone and, without hesitation, opened her Clouta account. Fred's smug face burned in her mind as her fingers danced across the screen.
One line. One shot.
"@ClaytonGrey, will you marry me?"