Chapter 2
Medora's POV
I had almost pushed him away when I remembered that I was supposed to be Maven, my carefree and fragile sister.
I didn't know if they were connected. So, despite how much I couldn't stand his presence, I couldn't afford to act rashly.
The crowd was still murmuring amongst themselves, but I paid them no attention.
I was still trying to process the best way to react to Reid when Adrian's voice came sharply from behind.
“What took you so long?”
I turned around slowly and he was standing behind me, his hands still intertwined with Bianca.
My gaze moved from their intertwined hands to his face, my fingers tightening around my clutch. They had really become shameless.
“Don't look at me like that,” he snarled, placing his hand over Bianca's. “We're here as a couple representing the company.”
I snorted, keeping my eyes fixed on him. As a couple? What happened to me being his legal wife?
“Adrian, the award ceremony.” Bianca said with a smooth voice.
“Maven, you have to go up to the stage and sign the actress award to Bianca.” He instructed, avoiding my eyes.
My breath caught sharply. The actress award? My sister had wished for nothing more than to hold that award ever since she joined the entertainment industry.
But when I had asked her about it three days ago, she'd sounded strangely distant. At one point, she had even told me not to come back anymore.
I bit the inside of my cheek, suppressing the urge to slam Adrian's head against the table behind me. Maven had been pregnant, how many shocking things did this despicable man do to her?
“I won't do that.” I said, swallowing back my tears.
“What did you just say?” He snapped, his eyes widening like he wasn't sure he heard me well.
“Adrian, the actress award belongs to me alone. It bears the name Maven Sanders and not Bianca Morgan.” I hissed, my voice rising.
“If she wanted one so badly, she should work on her skills in the industry.”
Bianca lowered her head, grabbing tighter onto Adrian's arm. “I'm sorry, Adrian. I think I'm being greedy and I apologize to your wife.”
Adrian's expression darkened. “Don't push your luck, Maven. You'll go to that stage and do exactly as I say.”
I studied him for a moment. Then, without a word, I turned my back on him. Reid still stood behind me, one of his hands clasped around a glass of whiskey and the other, tucked neatly into his pocket.
Before I could think better of it, I reached for the glass of whiskey and emptied it in one gulp. The hot liquid burning down my throat just enough to keep my emotions in check.
Reid's eyes widened. “Miss Maven, you're pregnant.”
I froze. He was a tech billionaire. Despite his influence, he had no reason to be involved with the entertainment industry or my pregnancy.
I was definitely missing something.
Adrian's hand grabbed my arm. “If you would excuse us, Mr. Vaughn.”
Reid stood stiffly and even though he said nothing, his eyes surely had a lot to say.
I slapped Adrian's hand away and linked my hand with Reid's arm. Reid's body went rigid the instant our skin made contact, but I refused to pay attention to his reaction.
“Reid is accompanying me tonight. As my partner, keep your distance.” I sized him up. “For the company's reputation.”
Adrian took a step back. Of course, his company stood no chance against Vaughn's corporation so he knew better than to get on Reid's bad side.
“Maven Sanders, please come to the stage to receive the Best Actress Award.” A female voice came from the stage before Adrian could say anything.
Reid grabbed my arm slightly tighter. “Mind if I walk you?”
“Of course not,” I replied with a smile that didn't reach my eyes.
“Maven, you—”
“Excuse me, I have an award to receive.” I cut him off sharply, striding towards the stage.
The murmurs grew louder as I approached the stage.
“I didn't expect her to show her face here.”
“She's just so despicable, I can't even stand her.”
“Why is she even walking to the stage when we already know who the award belongs to.”
I walked onto the stage and the woman flashed me a warm smile before extending the award towards me.
I swallowed hard, staring at the award as my fingers trembled.
Over the past five years, I had taken my father's tech company from the brink of bankruptcy to becoming the second-largest tech company in the world. I had received countless awards along the way, so many that I had lost count.
“Miss Maven?” The woman called, waving her hand before my face.
I stretched out my hand and took the award, my fingers trembling slightly.
“Can you see this?” I whispered. “We're finally holding the award you wanted so badly.”
The woman adjusted the microphone towards me. “What do you have to say to the crowd?”
My gaze swept across the crowd, and for a moment, I saw Maven standing in the center of the room.
“We did it.” I said, my voice hoarse.
Maven smiled at me and I didn't even realize when the tears I had been holding back trickled down my face.
“That was quite emotional, Miss Maven.” The woman said, giving me a gentle pat.
I placed the microphone on the podium and walked off the stage, straight into Reid's waiting arms.
I had promised myself I wouldn't cry. Maven was the only person I would allow myself to mourn. Yet here I was, crying in Reid Vaughn's arms.
Reid covered my face with his coat, shielding me from the curious eyes as he led me out of the hall and into the quiet balcony. I stepped away from him and wiped my tears with the back of my hand.
I had never expected Reid would one day see me in my weakest point.
“Thank you,” I muttered, inhaling the fresh night air. Home really smells different but not as special as I imagined.
“You are not Maven, right?” His voice suddenly cut through the night.
