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Chapter 39

last update Last Updated: 2024-07-05 07:50:14

“I bless my stars that your Fiancé decided to unveil you to the rest of us.” Anna spoke as she made her way to me. “You. You will wear the dress.”

“But it’s a statement piece!” Ava protested as she battled her way through the women. “It was literally the last thing Saskia’s hands touched before she chucked herself off the roof.” I winced at her wording. ”a more experienced model should wear it.” She finished.

“That dress highlights the suddenness of her death, as it is incomplete…” Anna explained her eyes burning into mine. “You showed up into our world unannounced, it’s so perfect I could cry.” “That’s ridiculous.” Ava scoffed in disbelief and looked around for support. “I think the dress should be removed from the show-to honor her family.” She said finally. A few women murmured in agreement.

“That’s a bunch of crap.” Wynona shot back. “The first sighting of this collection since Saskia’s passing and you think the right thing to do is hide the dress? Stick to modeling Ava, not ha
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    “We can fix it.” I blurted out, both women turned to me.“There’s so many, problems with it right now, this isn’t something you fix in under thirty minutes even with multiple designers working and it’s going to look flawed as-““Well not fix, We can change it.”“We are not tampering with it any further.”“Just the top half Anna. There’s little we can do with it looking like it does already. If we don’t show it tonight, It’ll NEVER be seen.”She denied with a shake of her head. “This dress will not be on display tonight, I need to find a way to break the news to Hilde.”“Whoever did this, did not want this dress in the pageantry,” I insisted, “you’re just doing what they want, we shouldn’t give them that.”Anna paused considering. “Just listen.”“Tell me what you have in mind. We have less than twenty minutes to fix it and have you in it. We have to work fast.“Four minutes till you have to be on stage.” Anna informed us.God I prayed my plan would work. “You should go and ta

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    Wynona refused to hear a word out of my mouth.We got out of the car and headed up the stairs to the villa. “I’m just saying, Wynona. It could be her.”“I already told you. She was with us the whole time.”“ You don ’ t know that! half the time, we had our heads poking out, looking for Ethan andCartwright.”She sighed and turned to me, ignoring the butlers that opened the doors.“I’m going to say it one more time before we step through these doors. Considering we will be seeing her in a few seconds.” She grabbed my face. “She didn’t touch the dress. It was more likely some random protester, they do weird shit all the time. It would be crazy for her to pull a stunt like that. Remember Legacy Luxe looks bad, she kinda does too. Her career is too important for her torisk jail time, just to make sure you didn’t wear that dress. Understand.” I could be stubborn and push it. But I knew there was no convincing Wynona.“Fine.” I conceded.“Good girl. Now don’t retract into a shell.

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    Ethan’spovI worked at my desk trying and failing to keep thoughts of Mae off my mind. As much as I would love to keep her holed up. Maybe watch her on the tablet as she owned the kitchen, but I knew she had to get out of the house. She had stayed the whole night and the day bingeing on news. I thought she looked beautiful during the show and her remake was beautiful. She had been doing great so far, fitting into my life. Our plan was working too. I was surprised when I got a call from one of our oldest clients that usually dealt with grandfather. He had been referred to me. The old man had actually pushed a job on me, willingly…we were making progress on that front.My phone vibrated on the table and I picked it up after I saw that Wynona was on the line.She sounded frantic and her words came out in a flurry. It sent a wave of panic through me.“Slow down, Wynona.”She took a deep breath. “I can’t find Mae anywhere.”I bolted up in my seat. “What do you mean you can’t find he

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    Mae’spovI felt like I could barely breathe, plus I was freezing for what felt like hours. Being scantily dressed had made it so easy for me to get cold.After banging on the door and yelling for help for a long time, I was very tired. When I heard Ethan call my name, I thought I was hallucinating, but I hit the door anyway, ignoring the icy stickiness.“Please, Ethan help!” I called out forcing strength into my voice.He muttered something else and then I heard nothing from his side.He could not leave me here. Panic built up in my body making my shivering worsen. I hit the door trying again. What if I had actually hallucinated him. Was I trapped in here till I went completely crazy.Ava was going to kill me. When hereturned I was in a frenzy.“Mae, can you hear me. I was not sure my voice could carry through so I hit the door twice. “There’s a button Mae, by the door. Look for a latch by the door. Feel around for one.” I reached out with shaky hands and felt around the wall

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    I tensed in bed as he raised the volume of the television.“…and she has been getting a lot of hate for what she did to the dress. When I first saw the video of her ripping the bodice, I was horrified, that was..the dress, you know…” She told the interviewer who nodded sympathetically.“Then she came on stage in this absolutely beautiful dress, it wasn’t the same as what my mother was makin-if you’ve seen the original you would understand.” A photo of Saskia’s dress taken after her death, and my alterations at the show was placed side by side on the screen.“I’ve attended shows with my mother and every show she always had something to say about the designs, what she would do differently. That night for the first time after her death I felt she was-she was there with me.“ my heart leapt out to Hilde as she wiped a stray tear from her eye.“Mae Ricci did not ruin my mother’s dress. She did the exact thing my mum would do if she was in that situation. I can even admit that she made i

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    Panic rose in my chest as her forehead leaked blood in an almost steady stream. I temporarily forgot that she had gotten the injury by bashing her freaking head on the tile like it meant nothing to her.“Oh my god, are you okay?” I ask and reached out for her.My action seemed to trigger her because she screamed even louder causing me to shrink away from her. Then she pulled on her hair ruining the perfectly done updo.I had never seen someone act this psychotic, I was worried she was going to harm herself. Oh who was I kidding, she already did. The goal now was to make sure she didn’t do something worse. I rushed to the bathroom door and yanked it. it didn’t budge.Ethan knocked on the door calling my name, so she had locked it when she had come in. I opened it quickly, talking rapidly while he looked me over checking for wounds.“It’s not me, it’s Ava!” I tell him and Ethan paused like he really didn’t understand what I was saying. I was relieved the bathroom was a while away f

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    I had the house to myself, which was a good thing in my books. There was no one here to see me sulk and stuff my face with food. My only company was Gideon and he kept to his own his side of the house. Even my escorts were unavailable. Guess at the end of the day, protecting his precious Ava was more important than guarding me.For the millionth time that day I filled my bowl to the brim with cereal and sat crossed legged on the plush rug, as I watched several reruns of my mother’s favorite telenovela, since my life was becoming one. They might have tips for handling my fake husband’s possibly crazy ex.To say I was in shock was a simple term, so many times I had replayed that night in my head, wondering if I missed something.We were talking, and then she slammed her head on the counter. My hands were no where near her, I think? With the fear I saw on her face after she raised her bloodied head, I wondered if I had actually done it in a fit of rage, and wiped the incident from my mem

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    I looked down at the clear liquid, hesitating.“You didn’t say anything about the new decor Wynona.” I pointed out, pouting as I raised theglass.“Oh yeah!” she giggled turning around. “It looks great, I would have done a lot more…”-she ran her hand across a frame of a painting. I could not tell what the artist was going for, all I could see were legs and a ton of color, but I liked it. Seeing my chance, I emptied the contents of my glass into the plant pot beside me, hoping the dosage would not be enough to kill the plant.I raised the glass to my lips just as Wynona turned.She frowned at me, then shrugged and smiled. “I wanted us to drink at the same time, but hey! I appreciate the spirit.” She downed hers and gagged, sputtering. “How the fuck did you manage to keep this down with a straight face?”“Oh you know, Italian genes.” She snorted at that.It took a little convincing, but Gideon reluctantly agreed to let me go out without him, even though his brows stayed knit together as

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    “You don't have to act like this, Mae”“Really? Please tell me how to act, Ethan. Tell me.” I pinched my brows tightly as I sighed deeply, “Mae, I'm sorry. Alright. I shouldn't have danced with her or even said anything to her.” I explained while walking behind her. She had her back against me the entire time I spoke. Her long strides led her to the door. Mae twisted the knob and pulled open the door, “Leave my room.” She demanded. Her hand was on her hip and the other was on the knob. I have never seen Mae this mad.Why did I let Ava get to me? Why did I even dance with her tonight? She let me know and now, her actions want to ruin my marriage? Not happening. I lo...like Mae and I'm not letting her go no matter what. Moving from the spot where I stood rooted in shock, I took three steps closer to her, “Mae—”“Leave,”I sighed in defeat and proceeded to leave. Nothing will make her change her mind once it has been made.I heard her scoff as my legs began to move. “Of course.”I

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    Ethan had his eyes on me the entire night throughout the remaining ceremony process. He watched me like a sniper watching his victim, ready to pull the cock and fire the shot of questions probably piled up in his mind. I pretended not to notice his little sighs, the way his hands twitch and involuntarily ball up into a fist. He would release it whenever he caught himself. I wanted to wrap my hands around him, to take his sweet scent but the anger was greater than my feelings. Ethan has been nothing but kind to me except for the few times he has been a dick. He is a good man, the little voice in my head reminded me. He doesn't deserve this mental torture. I pushed back the thought and went on with my night till the event was over and we went back home.The door of the car swung open with a little bit of force as I was impatient to wait for him to open the door even though he was already there. The door grazed past his knees and I heard him cuss under his breath. Climbing down from

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    The sound from her cheek, as my hand landed on it with full force, resounded around us, piercing through the solemn music playing in the background. How can she be so desperate? First a picture, now a kiss? I couldn't take it anymore. The music paused abruptly, a pause that turned all eyes in our direction. Soon, whispers and gasps swallowed the silence from the crowd watching us.Ava held her cheek in disbelief, her widened eyes locked into mine and I returned it with a fierce gaze. She should know not to mess with me. Ava has been on my nerves ever since I entered Ethan’s life but all this has to stop. I hope this will put her in her place.“Did you just slap me?” She confronted as though she just realized what had happened.“I did,” I responded in agreement. “ It seemed you were drunk, that was meant to sober you up. How are you feeling?”“How dare you?!” She shrieked. I shook my head slightly in scorn, “Exactly. The same damn question I asked myself. Why are you so desperate to

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    My whole body froze as my name slipped out of his beautiful lips in public. It was unexpected and I didn't know how to react but to sit tight and smile.He caught me off guard with that one. My heart raced with joy, warmth spread through my body as I stared at him on stage.He stood tall like a Greek god dressed in a perfectly tailored maroon colored suit that seemed to almost match the color of my gown. I blush inwardly at the thought of it.His usually stoic demeanor has somehow softened as his eyes stayed glued to mine during his speech.Ethan paused after a long address to the crowd, his voice softened and he began to address his grandfather directly.“Grandfather, you have always told me that success isn't making money. It's about making a difference. It's about creating something that will outlive us. And I want to make this promise to you tonight. I will do everything in my power to honor what you have built. I will always carry forward the values you have imbued in me—- integr

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    “Ava is in the banquet,”“How do you know?” She asked again, her face furrowed.“Cartwright sent a text to inform me about it,” I explained.Mae scoffed, “Great, just great,” She relaxed her face, stretching out the slight crease on her makeup and a tight smile that disappeared almost immediately. “ A good start to ruin my evening.” She murmured.“Are you cold?” I asked concerned about her bare back being exposed to the chilly air of the evening.“Are you bothered?” She fired back, although her voice was low, the irritation was evident.“You know I'm not. Let's go.” I instructed, pointing to the door. She lifted the hem of her gown off the floor and proceeded to walk out of the living room into the garage. I followed behind a guide to watch her steps. As we got to the garage, we entered the BMW Vantablack car and drove off in the direction of the event.As we arrived, a valet rushed forward to collect the keys and I handed it over to him. After he drove off, I curved my hand gesturing

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    “How is Mae?” My grandfather's voice resounded in the glass walls of the office.“The news broke her but she is good now, I hope,” I explained to the old man who stared at me blankly. No emotion on his face.“What are you going to do about Ava?”“Errmm—- I…” I started but of course, he interrupted like always.“You don't know how to handle the issue? How am I supposed to hand over my company to you when you can't even handle a minor case like this?”“I will handle it. Relax and have faith in me.” I cajoled.“Relax? You want me to relax.” He scoffed cynically. “Because of whatever silly relationship you had with that girl—who was up to no good, my company is about to fall apart and you want me to relax? You haven't even given me a grandchild!.” He snapped.“Grandfather.”He sighed deeply, “The handover ceremony will be a good solution.” He pinched his brows and released it, stretching his thumbs opposite ways to the end of his brows. “Prepare for the banquet and make sure you appear ha

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    “Why did you marry me if you were still in love with her? I never wanted all these. You took advantage of my family's situation because you knew I was vulnerable at that time. Now I watch you write my story while I'm forced to read a version of myself I don't know.”“Mae!” Ethan cried out, “please just listen to me. “I can explain.”“Don't you understand, Ethan? Your explanation will not change the fact that you fucked her and lied in my face about it. How could I have been so stupid to believe you? Handling issues?” I scoffed, “ More like handling her in bed. I don't even know why I am so angry about this. This is nothing but an arranged marriage, you can have sex with whomever you choose. Now, please open the door.“You got it all wrong, Mae”“Huh?”“Whatever you saw was from years ago. Ava and I are done, thoroughly done.” He explained. “I don't know why she posted an old private picture of us kissing or what she was aiming at us but please me when I say, I don't have feelings for

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