Maya woke up that morning feeling defeated. Thinking about everything that had happened with Nathaniel left a heavy weight on her heart. She took her bath, and the maids dressed her in a simple peach dress. She wasn't in the mood to wear anything fancy today.
She decided to visit Sandra, hoping spending time with her friend would distract her mind.
Sandra welcomed her happily into the Valois Mansion. The entire mansion was buzzing with wedding preparations. Rolls of expensive fabric covered the tables, flowers were being arranged, invitation cards were stacked neatly, and servants moved around carrying decorations.
"Maya!"
Sandra hugged her immediately. "Come and help me choose between these two gowns. Lord Stephen keeps saying I'll look beautiful in anything."
Sandra couldn't stop talking. She spoke about Lord Stephen, the wedding venue, jewellery, guests, and even the colour of the flowers. Maya forced herself to smile, but her mind was somewhere else.
Sandra suddenly noticed.
"You're unusually quiet. What happened?"
Maya hesitated before telling her everything-Nathaniel's late wife, Aurora, and the truth he had hidden.
"What!"
Sandra almost jumped from her seat. "I never trusted that man. I knew Lord Duncan was the better choice."
"I don't even know what to say anymore," Maya admitted quietly.
Sandra moved closer, "It's simple."
Maya looked at her.
"Go back to Lord Duncan."
"But-"
"Nothing."
Sandra cut her off immediately. "You left Lord Duncan, and look at what happened. This is exactly why people shouldn't leave the man they truly love."
Maya frowned.
"What if he doesn't love me anymore?"
Sandra smiled, but there was something manipulative in it.
"You love him, don't you?"
"... Yes."
"Then that's all that matters."
Maya looked confused.
"You don't need him to love you first. Fight for him until he does. Don't sit here crying while another woman steals him away."
The words settled deeply inside Maya's heart. She looked around at Sandra's wedding dresses and decorations before letting out a long sigh.
"I think... that's what I'll do."
Sandra smiled with satisfaction.
"I knew you'd come to your senses."
The two continued choosing wedding designs, but Maya's thoughts had already left the room.
Duncan and Jasmine went on a date that afternoon. They were seated in a beautiful eatery overlooking a quiet street. Warm lights hung from the ceiling, soft music played in the background, and servants poured wine into crystal glasses while different meals were served.
Jasmine took a sip of her wine before looking at Duncan.
"I need to tell you something."
Duncan immediately became attentive.
"What happened?"
Jasmine told him everything that had happened between Nathaniel and Maya.
Duncan listened quietly until she finished.
"That's sad." He shook his head. "He's truly been through a lot."
"Yes." Jasmine sighed. "It took him a long time to become himself again, and I don't want this to destroy him."
"I understand." Duncan nodded. "But he should've told Maya from the beginning instead of hiding it. That was wrong."
"That's true. Mother and I warned him, but it was his decision. There was nothing I could do."
Silence settled between them as they continued eating until Duncan slowly tapped his fingers against the table.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
His fingers travelled across the table until they reached Jasmine's hand, then he smiled, and Jasmine smiled back.
Neither of them moved away.
Their fingers played gently with each other's for a while, both smiling in a quiet, almost romantic silence.
Just then-
Nathaniel walked into the eatery.
His eyes landed directly on them, and a frown immediately crossed his face. Then Jasmine quickly pulled her hand away and composed herself immediately.
"I want to speak with my sister."
He looked straight at Duncan.
"Alright."
Duncan remained seated.
The two men stared at each other for several long seconds. The air between them became tense until Nathaniel spoke again.
"In private."
Only then did Duncan understand.
He slowly stood up, nodded once, and walked away without another word.
Nathaniel took Duncan's seat opposite Jasmine.
"Have you talked to Maya?" he asked, concern written all over his face.
"Not yet, but I told Lord Duncan."
Nathaniel frowned, "Why?"
"Because he's closer to Maya. I thought... if I spoke to him, maybe he could help me speak to her."
Nathaniel thought about it for a moment.
"That's true." He sighed, "But please... still talk to Maya. I want to know what she's thinking."
"I will."
"Good."
Nathaniel looked around the restaurant.
"Nice place."
He stood up and left.
After lunch, Jasmine headed straight to Ashbourne Mansion.
The atmosphere felt different the moment she entered. No one welcomed her warmly. She sat quietly in the living room until Evelyn walked in.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Ashbourne."
"Good afternoon, Lady Jasmine." Evelyn's voice lacked its usual warmth.
"I came to check up on Maya."
"Oh, she's fine."
A brief silence followed.
"Is that all you came for?"
"Yes... but I also came because I know you're upset. My brother is a good man. He truly loves Maya and deeply cares about her."
"Love?" Evelyn chuckled bitterly. "If he loved her, he wouldn't have lied to our faces."
"I know, but it wasn't easy for him after Eleanor died. He was jus-"
"It wasn't easy for us either." Evelyn cut in immediately. "We also trusted him."
Jasmine paused before speaking again.
"He made a mistake, and he takes full responsibility for it, but it wasn't easy for him either."
"Responsibility?" Evelyn interrupted again. "Does responsibility erase lies?"
Jasmine took a deep breath.
"It wasn't easy for him dating Maya because he kept hearing rumours about her... and you know who those rumours were about."
Evelyn frowned.
"What are you trying to say?"
"I'm trying to say it wasn't easy for him because of the-"
"We never forced him!" Evelyn cut in sharply. "If he didn't like what he heard, he should've walked away. We weren't begging him to marry our daughter."
"You don't understand where I'm heading."
"I understand perfectly." Evelyn folded her arms.
"You're trying to tell me he dated Maya out of pity."
"No." Jasmine's voice became firmer. "I'm saying Maya still loves Duncan, and Nathaniel still carried Eleanor's past. Both of them entered this relationship carrying someone else."
"From what I know, my daughter isn't the one to blame. It's your brother who lied."
"That's true," Jasmine admitted. "But Maya still loves Duncan. That's also the truth."
The room became painfully quiet.
Evelyn looked at Jasmine for a long moment.
"I know my daughter isn't innocent."
She stepped closer. "My daughter is beautiful. We can find her another suitor... maybe even someone better than your brother."
She paused.
"Maybe Lord Duncan himself."
Jasmine smiled back.
"Go ahead."
Evelyn's smile faded.
"But let me tell you something." Jasmine's voice was calm, "Lord Duncan will never love Maya."
The words landed like a slap.
"And if another man discovers, she's still in love with someone else..." Jasmine's voice became calm. "He won't love her either."
Jasmine bowed politely.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Ashbourne."
Evelyn stood frozen in the living room. Anger burned inside her, but disappointment burned even deeper. In as much as she wanted to deny Jasmine's words... but a part of her knew they carried truth.
Just outside the hallway...
Maya had heard every single word.
She slowly slid down the wall and sat on the floor, staring into space, the silence around her felt louder than any argument.
"Lord Duncan will never love Maya."
The sentence echoed again and again inside her head. Her hands slowly curled into fists, and then she stood up.
Determination replaced the tears in her eyes.
"Lord Duncan will love me..."
She whispered to herself.
"And I'll prove it to everyone."