In the arms of two sins: A forbidden love

Mara's POV

"Mara," My mother-in-law's voice sliced through the crowd. She approached with a practiced smile. "You made the right choice coming."

Her cheek brushed mine in a polite peck that fooled the cameras, not me.

"People have been asking about you," she whispered. "There are cameras everywhere. Behave accordingly."

Then she pulled back, smiling sweetly for the room. "Let me call Andrea."

While she walked off, I took in the decorations, every inch of the mansion draped in luxury. All for Andrea. I was never treated this way. Not even when Philip was alive. I should hate him for everything he'd done to me..... but he was still my husband.

"Mara!"

I looked up. Andrea called out, gliding toward me, Camille beside her. And then...

My breath caught.

David.

Standing next to her, smiling faintly. My ex boyfriend before i had married Philip. The man who once promised me forever.

"I didn't think you'd come," Andrea chirped. "Anyways, meet David, my fiancé. David, this is my sister-in-law, Mara."

Her hand curled possessively over his arm. My gaze dropped to the ring on her finger, the same ring he once bought for me.

"Nice to meet you," I managed, though my voice sounded strange in my ears. He said nothing, only looked at me, too long, too deep. I couldn't read the meaning in his eyes, and I didn't want to try.

"Congratulations," I whispered. "Please excuse me."

"Are you leaving already? You just came. Besides, we have a special guest we'll meet soon," Camille cut in.

"Mother, I'm still here," I murmured quickly, forcing a smile before slipping away.

The music was too loud. The laughter too sharp. I headed for the bar, anywhere away from their eyes.

As I waited for my drink, I looked back across the hall. Andrea was glowing, her arm looped through David's as Camille introduced them to a group of socialites. He leaned in, whispered something that made her blush, the kind of smile that once belonged to me.

My throat tightened.

Then, as if sensing me, David turned. Our eyes met for the briefest second. I turned away immediately, heat rushing to my face.

I hated that he could still make me feel anything at all.

I grabbed the glass the bartender slid across and downed it in one go. The burn didn't help. I reached for another, then carried the bottle with me as I left.

The lounge was quieter, dim, hushed, and lined with velvet. I just wanted to be alone.

Was I angry that my ex was marrying my sister-in-law? Or angry that I still cared?

I drank until the room began to blur, until my heart went numb.

"I didn't expect anyone else here," a voice said, making me flinch.

I turned toward the sound as a man stepped out from the shadow.

No one should've been here. All the guests were downstairs.

His suit was undone at the collar, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

"You