Beneath my Sister's Name

Medora's POV

After five years away, I had expected to find my twin sister, Maven, waiting for me at the Las Vegas airport.

Instead, I found her cold body lying in the hospital morgue. She had my face, my body, my features, yet somehow, she looked like a stranger.

She had died after suffering complications from a failed embryo transfer. The man she loved had used her as a surrogate for his mistress, then left her to die without medical care.

Tears stung in my eyes but I fought them back.

Today was supposed to be about us.

Five years ago, after our parents died, I had left for California to continue running the company while Maven remained behind and married the man she'd had a crush on for years.

After five years of nothing but texts and video calls, we were finally supposed to be together again. But I never imagined our last conversation would be the one we'd had late last night.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand just as the door opened with a squeaky sound.

“Ma'am, we've handled everyone as you instructed.” Vivan, my assistant’s voice came from behind.

I stepped forward and gently covered the face I barely recognized with the white cloth. “Prepare a cemetery, we're holding a burial.”

I turned around when I didn't hear the door close and she was still standing there.

“Is there something else?”

“A phone has been ringing for a while now and I'm guessing… it belongs to your sister.” She said, extending a phone towards her.

My fingers trembled slightly as I took the phone from her.

My sister's picture stared back at me when I turned it on, her deep dimples seeming to mock my pain.

A call came in the next second bearing the name ‘My hubby’ with more than three love emojis.

Even though Maven was the older twin, she had always been the carefree one. She still behaved like a teenager who believed life should be nothing more than sunshine, love, and peace.

That kind of lifestyle was a luxury I couldn't afford, but I felt peaceful watching her live it.

“Where the heck did you keep your phone?!” A loud familiar voice yelled from the other end. “Do you know how long I've been trying to reach you?”

My jaw tightened as I recognized the voice as Adrian's, Maven’s husband. He didn't even ask how she was doing after leaving her all alone at the hospital.

“You better get to the Ossoti Hotel unless you want me telling the whole world how you killed our son?” He continued, iciness dripping from his voice.

“Do you think any of this would have happened if you hadn't gone to the supermarket? Don't push your luck!” He hissed, hanging up immediately.

My hands clenched tightly around the phone. That was it? That was all he cared about? His child with his mistress.

The door opened again. “Ma'am, everything is ready.”

I spared Maven one last glance before wiping my tears. “Let them in.”

Three men entered with a large black coffin.

I bit the inside of my cheek, fighting back the tears clouding my eyes as they lowered Maven into the coffin.

“Goodbye, little dove.” I whispered under my breath. “Till we meet to part no more.”

The first sentence was the same exact words I said to her five years ago at the airport.

“Handle her body with extreme care.” I instructed, my voice hoarse. “And wait for me at the cemetery.”

I didn't wait for their response before walking out of the room barely holding back my tears.

“Ma’am, where are we going?” Vivan asked after I got into the waiting car.

“A boutique,” I replied, staring out of the window. “Some people don't die once.”

***

The floor-length black velvet gown clung to my body, its sculpted waist doing nothing to hide the curvy figure I didn't even realize I had.

The dress had an asymmetrical neckline and a high slit that almost reached my waist line, exposing my long well-toned legs.

The diamond earrings glittered as they swayed slightly, complementing the diamond necklace around my neck.

I wore black, diamond-encrusted heels to complement my dress.

My hair was pulled into a sleek bun, giving me a more sophisticated look.

The longer I stared at my reflection, the more tears filled my eyes. It felt as though I were staring directly at Maven.

“Ma'am, you look so gorgeous.” Vivan handed me a small, structured clutch. “What's the occasion?”

I took the clutch from her, flashing her a small smile that revealed all my teeth but barely registered on my face.

“It's a surprise.”

***

Ten minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the Ossoti hotel. Vivan got off and rounded the car, opening the door for me.

“Wait for me here.” I stepped out of the car and headed into the hotel.

The hotel's entrance lights glinted off my diamond necklace and earrings.

The young lady at the front desk directed me to the banquet hall.

I found the hall after a while and pushed the door open.

The hall fell silent the moment I stepped inside, holding my head high. Dozens of eyes followed me, but I didn't give them a second glance.

My hand tightened around the clutch when my eyes found Adrian at the corner of the room. His eyes were fixed on me, his mouth slightly open.

Bianca, his supposed mistress, stood beside him, her hand linked through his arm. Her gaze shot daggers at me, and I returned it without flinching.

I was so focused on them that I didn't notice the person in front of me until I bumped into him and lost my footing.

A hand caught my waist, pulling me against a hard chest. The sharp scent of cedar and oud filled my senses.

I quickly stepped away, smoothing down my dress.

“Thank you—” I cut myself off when my eyes met a pair of grey eyes.

My fingers slowly curled into fists when I recognized him. Reid Vaughn, my biggest rival in the business world.

But something felt wrong. The same grey eyes that had stared at me with scorn and disgust less than ten hours ago now held a softness I couldn't understand

“Miss Maven.” His voice was unexpectedly soft, so different from the one I remembered that I almost didn't recognize it. “Are you okay?”