Chapter 2

Mia’s pov

Later that night, after Maeve had quieten down, we had all headed upstairs, leaving the mess for the maids to take care of, and I was glad that none of those broken plates managed to hurt Maeve.

As we prepared for bed that night, brushing out teeths alongside each other in the bathroom we both shared, was when I began to feel the changes. I tried to push that nagging feeling aside, coming to the conclusion that she was probably seeming emotionless because of all what she had gone through tonight.

I hugged her tightly that night and reminded her of how much I loved her before retiring to my bedroom, and even though she had hugged me back just as tightly, I still had that nagging feeling of something being off about her.

That feeling only got more intense the next morning, that was when it was obvious that Maeve had turned into a completely different person overnight.

Her smile was nowhere to be found, the light in her eyes was completely out and a dull pain lingered in its place. She barely ate, barely spoke and went about her duties robotically.

I tried getting her to speak, but that didn’t work because she kept reassuring me that she was okay countless times, when it was very obvious that she wasn’t.

The days went by in a blur, just as Maeve’s detachment got worse, and just as the wedding date grew closer. When I was told to accompany Maeve to try on her wedding dress, I did it without questions, already knowing that Maeve was going to appreciate my presence there.

Even though we didn’t exchange a word all through the process of trying on different dresses, I knew she appreciated my presence there because she kept staring back at me, as if to remind herself of my presence. I reached out to grab her hands at any chance I could, and she was always quick to clutch on my hands as if drawing invincible strength from that moment.

When the designers finally agreed on a dress, which was also a perfect fit, I felt my breath catch in my throat as the sheer beauty of the dress was drop dead gorgeous. The back of the dress was almost non-existent and the front revealed a good amount of Maeve’s cleavage. There were what I’d undoubtedly term as real diamonds littered on different spots of the flare part of the dress, while smaller diamonds designed the bust of the dress. The waist of the dress was also transparent, with only diamonds littered on that expanse of net covered skin in a single line, like a chain of diamond clinging on one’s waist.

I was standing behind a very stunning and breathtaking Maeve, who was perched on a dressing stool, before a wide expanse of mirror. Maeve’s eyes met mine in the mirror while the designers fussed over the dress, and I noticed when two trails of tears slowly slid down her cheeks, with our eyes still locked in the mirror. She finally wiped the tears away as she averted the gaze, and even though the designers noticed the tears, they barely reacted to it… probably because they’ve witnessed this kind of heart wrenching scene countless times.

A dress was picked out for me as well which I tried on and ensured it was a perfect fit. When we finally arrived home, I attempted cornering Maeve in order to talk, but she was quick to lock herself in her bedroom. She refused to come down for dinner like she had been doing ever since the night where that disaster had occurred.

Maeve and I barely talk anymore, we barely share secrets and joke around, Maeve never smiles any longer. The bruises which father’s belt made on her were already thankfully starting to clear off her skin, which was a good thing, but it wasn’t like that could magically erase that day from her memory.

When the day for Maeve arrived for her to meet with her future husband for the first time, I remained in the sitting room, waiting for her to come home so I’d quiz her on how it had went, but she dashed into her room as soon as she returned, locking the door in my face before I could speak.

I got tired of chasing after Maeve over and over again, but refuses to give up because I know I’d have reacted worse than her if I had been in her shoes, except I wasn’t sure I was that bold enough to outrightly question father the way she had done.

Soon enough, it was a day to Maeve’s wedding. Mother was busy with some last minute preparations and I was left to take care of my twin, but it wasn’t like she’d let me. I managed to corner her in her bedroom that night.

“You’ve been avoiding me.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. A pained expression crossed her face for a moment before she finally sniffed, and I felt bad for her all over again.

“That’s because I have nothing to say.” Her voice was shaky as she spoke. I reached out and grabbed her hands, which she reciprocated instantly.

“I’ll always be here for you, Maeve. No matter what, okay?” I said as I gripped her hands tightly. It was unexpected when she reached forward and pulled me into a tight hug, whispering how much she loved me into my ears.

That wasn’t unusual for us, the unusual part was her doing this after avoiding me and barely talking to me for days. I didn’t question it, because I was desperate for any kind of emotion from her, other than the usual silence.

“How do you feel?” I finally asked after breaking the hug. Maeve shrugged one shoulder.

“I feel scared, that’s only what I can feel right now.”

“I’m so sorry, Maeve.” I whispered apologetically, knowing there was nothing else I could do.

“It’s not your fault, stop apologizing.” She whispered in response as she shifted on her bed.

“I can’t help it.”

We fell into an awkward silence after that, the wedding happening tomorrow looming above us like a dreadful plague.

“I’m going to miss you so much, I don’t know if I can survive here without you.” I whispered honestly and watched as Maeve chuckled bitterly as she huffed out.

“I don’t think married life is going to look good on me though, especially with Mr. Romero.”

I remained silent, not knowing what to say to that.

When I finally retired to my bedroom, I made sure to hug Maeve long and tightly, reassuring her that everything was going to be fine even though I knew I was literally lying through my teeth. I also made sure to remind her countless times that I loved her so much, and tears beaded my eyes when I finally pulled out of the embrace, mirroring her wet eyes effortlessly.

“I don’t deserve your love.” She whispered quietly as she blinked her wet lashes a little, but I huffed out a breath with an eye roll.

“Don’t be silly, I love you so much and you deserve all the love I give you, okay?” Was the last thing I said to her as her bedroom door closed in my face.