Brushes flew all over Maeve’s face as she redid her makeup for her performance, which was less than thirty minutes away.
She was the only artist in the building without a label or backup, and that was because Fred Orchard didn’t want her there.
He had threatened to ruin her even more if she dared to perform, but this competition was her only ticket back to stardom.
It was the only way she could rise again and make people love her music.
Fred had even threatened to release her sex tape with the unknown man if she refused to do his bidding.
For tonight, Maeve was supposed to be Rae’s backup singer because, unfortunately, Rae’s voice had cracked.
While Rae stood on stage, Maeve would sing from behind the scenes.
All Rae had to do was lip-sync while every accolade went to her.
Maeve would be the songwriter and the voice behind her performance in exchange for keeping her nude video private.
At this point, Maeve wondered how Rae had managed to get through all her live performances in the past.
She had obviously declined Fred’s order, stubborn as ever, without even having a backup plan.
She had even dared him to release the video.
Maeve had been through this before.
Even though her sex tape had been released online in her previous life, for some strange reason, it kept disappearing.
Anyone who dared to repost it was never heard from again.
Countless people lost their accounts, and the rumors claiming Maeve was the woman in the video—even though her face was hidden—were debunked in less than a day by someone she had no idea existed.
Someone had fought for her.
Back then, Maeve had believed it was Fred because he took the credit for everything.
She had thanked him countless times and obediently done whatever he asked of her.
For women, having a sex tape displayed all over the internet was considered the biggest humiliation, while men were often praised for it.
You’d always hear things like, “Oh my gawd, he’s huge!”
Hypocrites!
I tell ya!
“You’re on in like twenty minutes, Miss Maeve.
Are you sure you want to go through with this?
Mr.
Orchard didn’t seem to be joking when he said he’d ruin you.”
Maeve smiled.
She already knew how everything would turn out, which was why Fred’s empty threats didn’t move her.
This time, she had practiced completely different songs from her past life.
There was no way Rae was going to steal them.
The notes were difficult, and only Maeve’s voice could reach them.
“I’m not going back from this, Becky.
Always remember, any press is good press,” Maeve said.
“Even though I have zero fans at the moment, I’m going to earn a lot today.
I need to build my fanbase again.
That’s all an artist ever needs.”
Once her makeup was done, Maeve stood before the dressing mirror and adjusted her dress.
The blue dress hugged her body without being too tight, outlining her curves in all the right places.
Even Maeve knew she looked beautiful.
Her hair was tied into a ponytail, with a blue ribbon wrapped around it.
She wore her jewelry too—just simple fake diamonds because she didn’t have the money for new real ones yet.
“You look breathtakingly ready.
Now it’s time to hypnotize them with your voice and songs,” Becky said.
Maeve smiled at her words.
Almost immediately, Mirabelle and Ama arrived in the dressing room.
“Maeve, we came to wish you good luck before your performance tonight,” Mirabelle said, exactly as she had done in the past.
Back then, Maeve had believed they were just two innocent girls who genuinely had her best interests at heart.
Both women looked beautiful in the dresses they wore.
“Good luck, Maeve.
You’ll need it,” Ama said.
Maeve simply nodded.
“Thank you.”
“We’ll be in the crowd cheering you on.
Do not fail us tonight,” Ama added.
“Yes!
Put that bitch in her place,” Mirabelle said, raising one hand into the air.
“Alright.” Maeve smiled sweetly.
“Thanks for coming, you two.
You’ve both made my night.”
There was no reason to show them how she truly felt yet.
Maeve still had plenty of secrets to uncover.
And plenty of revenge to take.
“It’s nothing.”
The three women hugged, and Maeve watched as Mirabelle and Ama walked away.
“Sisters are always meant to be together.
I don’t know why yours acts that way.”
Maeve smiled at Becky’s words.
They hurt.
But they were true.
“Come on.
Let’s go before you’re late for the competition,” Becky said.
The two hurried out of the dressing room and into the green room where the other contestants were waiting.
Each contestant sat with their managers and assistants.
Maeve had only Becky by her side.
Suddenly, loud noises erupted from the hallway.
Everyone in the room turned toward the entrance.
A moment later, a girl walked into the room wearing a red dress.
Author’s POV…
“I’ve been waiting here for more than an hour now, are you sure the invitation was sent?” Clayton checked his wrist watch, his finger tapping gently on the table.
“I’m sorry sir, Miss Maeve is at a competition tonight.”
“What competition?” He asked in annoyance.
He had spent the week preparing for what he thought was a special dinner only for his fiancée to be at another event.
This stupid assistant of his.
How did he not know she would be at another event today?
“It’s Velmora’s biggest singing competition for newer artist to display their talent and be the next rising star.
It turns out your fiancé will be performing tonight.”
“Send me the address then.
I want to see her perform.”