Chapter 4: The mistress's Smile
1059 Words
Maya lay on the living room floor for hours after Lucas left. Divorce papers sat on the table, the phone ringing with calls. All of the headlines were the same: her name cast down in the mud, Lucas with a smile on his face and Evelyn at his side.
She wanted to cry, but no tears came. Her chest was just heavy. At last, she got up. There was no time to flop. Tomorrow was the charity gala for which she had been training for months. Her name was on the invitation list, her firm's logo on the billboards. If she did not turn up, everyone would believe that she was in hiding.
She wasn’t going to give them that satisfaction.
The next evening, the ballroom was filled with glittering lights and expensive gowns. Guests chattered, glasses clinked, photographers moved around taking pictures. Maya stood near the entrance in a sleek black dress, smiling politely, though her cheeks ached from forcing it.
Tessa walked up beside her, whispering, “You look fine, don’t worry. Nobody can tell you’ve been crying.”
Maya swallowed. “I wasn’t crying.”
Tessa gave her a quick side-eye. "Sure. Just… smile and nod tonight. Ignore people."
Maya forced a laugh. "That's all I ever do."
The evening passed, and she moved among guests, reviewing the seating chart, greeting donors. But no matter where she went, there were whispers behind her back. She caught snatches of gossip.
"Did you see the news? Poor woman."
"Ten years and no child… not surprising he left."
"I know she's unstable. That's why he couldn't stay."
Maya tightened her clutch bag in her hand and pretended not to hear.
Halfway through the event, the murmurs turned to gasps. Maya followed the crowd's eyes — and remained frozen still.
Evelyn came, in a shimmering silver gown, with her arm around Lucas. Sophie trotted along with them, dressed up like a mini-princess. Evelyn was red-carpet material, her smile wide, unashamed, shameless.
Maya's breath caught. This was her party. She had planned every last detail. And yet Evelyn had swept in as if she was the star attraction.
"Evening," Evelyn shouted, hushing everyone. She swept the room with her eyes, locking gaze with Maya and flashing a smile. Walking over slowly, she leaned in close enough that only Maya could hear.
"Thank you," Evelyn drawled. "For warming Lucas's bed all those years. You did your job. Now it's my turn."
Maya stiffened, her nails tightening around the clutch. "You're disgusting."
Evelyn shrugged. "Say what you have to say. At least I gave him something you couldn't." Her eyes flicked over to Sophie. "That's why he chose me."
Maya had no time to react before Evelyn whirled on her heel, smiling brightly at the cameras.
Tessa rushed over, whispering furiously, "Don't even look at her. Don't give her the satisfaction."
Maya clenched her teeth. "She's flaunting him around like she's the winner. On my night.".
Tessa grunted. "I told you this would happen. She's gloating. Stay calm, Maya. Stay calm."
Unpossible. The murmurs turned more raucous, caustic. A group of women near the buffet table snickered, not trying to keep their voices down.
"Ten years married and nothin' to show for it."
"Barren, I was working. That's why he left her."
"Now Evelyn's the real Mrs. Vale."
Maya's throat tightened. She whirled around suddenly, feigning attention to her phone.
Down the hall, Lucas was chatting with a cluster of suits. Maya begrudgingly listened as she walked by.
"Gentlemen," Lucas said suavely, "I'd like you to meet Evelyn. She's been working for me for years. Soon, she'll be officially Mrs. Vale."
Maya stood stock-still. Her ears rang. He was announcing it, here, in public, as if their marriage had never existed.
Before she could even process it, another voice cut through the crowd.
"Sure, that's rich," the voice stated. "Because last time I checked, you were still married."
Everyone swiveled around. Maya's heart missed a beat.
Damien stood at the door, in a sharp suit, his face cold but threatening.
"Damien," Maya whispered. Relief and fear washed through her.
Lucas scowled, clearly annoyed. "And you are?"
Damien grinned. "Damien Hart." He moved closer. "Maya's brother."
The room was silent.
Lucas blinked. "Her… brother?"
"That's right," Damien said casually. "The same brother who guaranteed your firm won the Riverside contract last year. The one who vouched for you with my investors. You remember, don't you?"
Lucas's face grew stiff. "Of course. Business is business."
Damien tilted his head. "Business is trust. And trust is family. You hurt one, you lose the other."
Maya's chest flushed. Her brother's tone was hard, unyielding. He wasn't here for her, though — he was here to fight back.
Lucas made a half-hearted laugh. "Come on, Damien. Don't be so dramatic. We're all adults here.".
Damien's phone rang. He answered, voice smooth, eyes never leaving Lucas. "Yes? Pull them out. All of them. Effective immediately." He hung up.
Lucas furrowed his face. "What are you doing?"
Damien shoved his phone into his pocket. "Calling back my investors. All of them. You'll see it soon enough."
Lucas laughed nervously. "You're kidding. Don't play games."
A waiter rushed over with a phone. "Mr. Vale, it's urgent. A call from the office."
Lucas grabbed it from him, still smiling. But his face paled as he listened. "What? No, that can't be. No, they wouldn't…" He spun on Damien, hissing. "You can't just…"
Damien smiled. "I already did."
The grinning businessmen who had been smiling at Lucas a minute before shifted uncomfortably, some even stepping back. The murmurs changed.
"Did you hear? He's losing investors."
"Damien Hart is pulling out."
"This could ruin Vale Holdings."
Maya witnessed Lucas's mask of confidence shatter. For the first time, he didn't feel invincible.
Evelyn rushed to his side, grasping his arm. "Lucas, what's happening?"
"Nothing," he growled, but his voice shook. "Just. business complications."
Damien leaned forward, his voice calm but icy. "This is your first experience, Vale. Betray my sister again, and I'll make sure your empire comes tumbling down sooner than you built it."
Maya's heart was pounding. She'd never seen Lucas speechless before. But here tonight, in front of everyone, her brother had accomplished his feat.
She exhaled finally, holding onto the rim of her clutch. For once, Lucas wasn't making the rules.
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