Chapter 62 Not done with you yet
Boyles one year death memorial was today.Heaven had her mourning cloth on her veil covered , ready to be a dutiful widow with her brother in law occupying her whole mind.
She stayed in her room most of the times, only going out occasionally to light Boyles candles. Maverick never came back to see her, yell at her or even touch her.
His Silence had weight. It was heavy, crushing and cold. She wanted him to be angry at her, hold her even if it meant gripping her tightly anyway he shouldn’t leave her empty. She missed him terribly.
She replayed everyday since he was unconscious till her skull ached,there was no recollection. No man aside maverick had seen naked.
“Second young madam, the memorial is about to commence.” The servant called her heart lurched, not for the event but she was going to see him.
“Okay”
Heaven was the last to enter Boyles altar all other family members were there. She could already feel her mother in laws piercing gaze sharp and disapproving. General Richard stood beside his wife, stern and silent.
Eva was there, elegant in black, standing close to her parents who had been invited for the occasion.
And then him.
Maverick.
He stood at the edge of the gathering, tall and remote, dressed in severe black. His face was a mask: emotionless, carved from ice. His eyes did not flick toward her, not even for a fraction of a second. It was as if she were invisible. As if she had ceased to exist the moment he walked away that night.
Heaven’s chest tightened painfully.
She moved past him to take her place at the front as lead mourner Boyle’s widow, after all. The position felt like a cruel joke. One by one, the family stepped forward to light incense and candles for the dead.
Her mind spiraled
Who had been in this very altar room that night recording while Maverick touched her?
Who hated her enough to forge such flawless lies?
Her gaze drifted discreetly over the room.
The servants stood in a respectful line at the back. None of them were permitted to roam the mansion at night
only Butler Rose had that privilege. But Rose was nice to her, she couldn’t have.
Mrs. Richard? No. The woman despised Heaven, yes, but if she had discovered the affair, she would have dragged Heaven out by the hair and ended it herself. Not this elaborate cruelty.
Eva?
“Heaven.”
The voice was low but urgent.
“Heaven!”
A little louder this time. Eva, called out to her in a shout whisper
“It’s time to bow. Everyone’s waiting.”
Heaven blinked, heat flooding her cheeks beneath the veil. She hadn’t realized the ritual had moved forward. All eyes were on her now curious, impatient, judgmental except one pair.
Maverick’s gaze remained fixed somewhere above the altar, as cold and distant as ever.
Heaven quickly stepped forward, took the incense, and bowed deeply three times before Boyle’s portrait. Her movements were mechanical.
When she straightened, she risked the smallest glance toward Maverick again but he wasn’t there anymore.
The rest of the memorial passed in a blur of murmured prayers and flickering flames.
When it ended, the family mingled with guests. General Richard and Eleanor spoke in low tones. Eva laughed softly with her parents.
No one would notice if the widow slipped away.
Heaven left quietly, veil still in place, steps silent down the corridor.
She turned a corner and stopped.
Maverick stood ahead, alone, adjusting the cuff of his black suit.
Her heart thundered.
His gaze lifted. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes then his jaw locked, and he moved to walk past her without a word.
She couldn’t bear it.
Her hands acted before her mind could stop them.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her veiled face to his back.
“I miss you” she whispered, voice breaking.
His body went rigid beneath her touch.
For a moment, he didn’t move.
Then slowly, as if fighting every inch,his resistance cracked.
He turned, lifted her veil with one hand, and pulled her into a fierce, desperate kiss.
It was raw. Hungry. A collision of weeks of silence and pain.
Heaven fisted his shirt, rising on her toes to meet him, kissing him back with everything she had relief and longing.
His hands roamed her waist, her back, pulling her flush against him as his tongue claimed her mouth. They stumbled slightly against the wall, lost in each other, forgetting the open hallway, forgetting everything.
He broke from her lips only to trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down her neck.
Heaven gasped, a soft moan escaping her.
Reality slammed back.
Maverick froze. His eyes squeezed shut. He dropped his forehead to hers, breathing hard, hands still gripping her hips.
Then he opened his eyes.
The fire was gone.
Only cold rage remained.
“Are you ready to give me the name of the man who touched what’s mine?” he growled, voice low and dangerous.
Heaven shook her head, tears already gathering. “No man touched me, Maverick. I swear it. I would never let anyone else….”
“The video,” he cut in.
“I don’t know how I’m in it,” she pleaded. “My face, my bracelet… but it wasn’t me. Someone made it. Someone is lying to you…to us.”
He stared at her for a long moment, thumb brushing her cheek almost tenderly.
Then his fingers tightened, gripping her chin hard enough to bruise.
“Your face is so innocent,” he murmured, voice laced with bitter mockery. “I would have believed you… if I hadn’t seen you writhing under another man with my own eyes.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“You think this little stunt hugging me, kissing me will make me forget?” He leaned closer, eyes black with fury. “Give. Me. A. Name.”
“There is no name,” she choked out, not pulling away despite the pain. “Please, Maverick… believe me.”
His lip curled.
“It’s all right,” he said softly, lethally. “I’ll find your lover myself.”
“There is no lover!” she cried.
“Someone is trying to…..”
“Maverick.”
A deep familiar voice cut through the air behind him.
General Edward, Eva’s father approached from the end of the hall.
Maverick released her instantly and stepped in front, shielding her from view.
“Go to your room,” he ordered without looking back.
Maverick’s turned back.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes,” Maverick said curtly. “Why?”
“You’re needed outside.”
Heaven stayed in her room as he told her. Maybe he would come to her she hoped he would.
The door creaked open.
Heaven’s heart leaped she sat up thinking it was him.
Eva peeked in first before she appeared fully, she stood, holding a tray.
Heavens heart fell.
As she looked at Eva she couldn’t suspect her.
If Eva knew… she wouldn’t be smiling.
She wouldn’t be standing here.
Eva stepped closer with a soft smile.
“You didn’t come out for dinner so I brought yours. Butler Rose said you’re not feeling well.”
Heaven just stared.
“Heaven?” she called gently.
Eva dropped the food by the side of the bed. She reached out and placed a hand on Heaven’s forehead, then on her own to compare the temperature.
Something inside Heaven cracked.
Tears spilled out of her instantly, guilty, violently , uncontrollably.
Eva’s eyes widened with worry.
“Does it hurt anywhere? Do you need a doctor?”
Heaven shook her head, sobs breaking her voice.
“No… no… I’m fine. Just a minor fever…”
“You shouldn’t call anything about your health minor,I need you alive because” Eva scolded softly
“I’m not done with you yet.”