Five minutes passed. My voice rose and fell, each note clinging to the air like smoke from a prayer candle.
But silence followed.
No livestream alerts. No sudden leaks.
Ama just stood there, frozen, her eyes glistening with something I couldn't read.
Becky scrolled quickly through her phone, then shook her head. Nothing.
And that was when I knew.
The thief wasn't some faceless shadow. It was Ama. The same Ama who stood smiling in front of me. The same Ama who had ruined me once—and was trying to ruin me again.
"That was beautiful," she finally said, her voice soft, almost mocking. "You know, Maeve, sometimes your bad attitude makes me forget you're one of the best vocalists alive." She laughed, but I didn't join her.
She had destroyed me before. There was nothing funny about it.
When I didn't laugh back, she straightened her shoulders. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Maeve, but you need to wake up before you ruin more things."
I stayed silent, my hands tight around the mic. Even if I choose Fred again, my life would be like the past. It would be filled with sorrow and betrayal.
She 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," I replied.
Ama's eyes widened. "That's bad. It doesn't matter who asked first. Have you forgotten how much you love Fred?"
"That's all in the past."
"No, it isn't. The night before your wedding, you swore you'd never leave him, that's why Mira..." She stopped herself.
Of course they had both planned it. That's why Mirabelle had initiated they set me up, because I bragged a lot about how I loved Fred and would never leave him.
They wanted to prove me wrong, whether through cheating or not.
I hope they really did have their five seconds laughs.
"Like I said, it's over." I cut her off.
Before she could answer, Becky hurried forward. "Miss Maeve, you need to see this."
"What is it?"
"Silver Crown Records just announced their new top artist. She's replacing you. Her debut album drops next month."
I turned sharply toward Ama, who smiled like she had been waiting for this moment.
"Surprised?" She asked.
"You brought it on yourself Maeve," she said sweetly. "Make things right before it's too late. One decision from you could turn the tides again. Fred is mad at you, and he will not stop until you apologize."
Becky's voice cracked. "Miss Maeve, she's getting everything meant for you, endorsements, deals, all of it! Meanwhile, the only thing left for you is some cheap Tamu deal. Those people are scammers, a deal 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 my music but me. My name for the next five years. Every song I wanted to release had to go through him. I owed him five years of my life, and every cent his label had invested in me.
If I were still his wife, maybe I could have survived it. But that would mean dying again. And I refused to die twice.
---
That night, I finally returned home. A week had passed since the scandal broke, but I had avoided stepping foot inside here. Not because it was disgusting, but because I knew Fred and Mirabelle would be circling and waiting.
I showered quickly and got dressed. In the end, Ama convinced me to attend the family dinner, but not for peace. I was going there to end it. To finalize the divorce before the Orchard family.
A ruined career was better than dying a foolish woman twice. Even if I get destroyed, I can pick my life from the scratch again and make name for myself with my talent.
My phone buzzed as I zipped up my dress. A notification from Clouta flashed across the screen:
"Billionaire and CEO Clayton Grey of Reven's Corp is now on Clouta."
Clayton Grey? The untouchable billionaire?
What was a man like him doing on a gossip platform? Didn't he have empires to run?
I slipped on my heels, adjusted my jewels, and left the house.
When I arrived at the Orchard mansion, guards rushed forward to open the car door for me as always. Even if I was divorced to Fred, the Orchard family were yet to accept it, so they still treated me like family.
The Orchards weren't the most powerful family in the country, but Fred's fame and money had lifted them high in society's ranks.
Though he was a nepo baby, he had worked like he came from poverty and had elevated his family even more.
I stepped onto the concrete driveway, my dress brushing against my legs, and walked into the towering mansion. The last time I came here, Fred was at my side. This time, I walked in alone.
The butler guided me to the dining room. Every face turned toward me as I entered, the family already seated at the long, glittering table.
"Eve," Mirabelle said, her voice sharp, her smile colder than the silverware.