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Chapter 3

ผู้เขียน: Keto Peach
After walking into the venue alongside them, Maya spotted several familiar faces—close friends she and Oscar had known for years.

And just like that, the atmosphere turned unbearably awkward.

"Maya, please don't be upset… Diana's illness really can't wait," someone murmured, trying to sound earnest.

"Yeah, we all know today's wedding is just for show, so please, don't take it to heart," another chimed in.

So they all knew. Every single one of them had known that Oscar was marrying Diana. Yet not one of them had told her. And now, they were standing there, urging her to understand. To be the bigger person. To smile and nod and make peace with betrayal.

Maya gave a quiet, expressionless nod. "I know."

She never imagined that in the four years she'd been gone, everyone around her had quietly drifted toward Diana's camp. The creeping realization left her hollowed out and bitterly amused.

When the wedding ceremony began, Oscar and Diana stood beneath the soft, golden lights, gazing into each other's eyes. They followed the emcee's instructions to the letter, every movement choreographed, every vow uttered with polished precision.

And then, Oscar pulled out the ring.

A customized Harry Winston diamond ring.

Maya's heart clenched. Oscar wouldn’t have chosen that brand lightly—he knew exactly what it symbolized: an eternal commitment. And the resolve in his expression… it wasn’t fake.

So he'd already made his choice long ago.

Then why? Why had he sought her out the moment she returned? Why had he ignited old feelings if he had no intention of honoring them?

She forced herself to keep it together, willing the ceremony to end so she could finally leave this charade behind.

And then came the final act: the kiss.

The emcee, eager to hype up the crowd, prompted Oscar and Diana to kiss. Oscar hesitated and glanced over at Maya.

She wasn't even looking at him.

She was scrolling through her phone with cool detachment, as if the entire spectacle before her were nothing more than background noise.

A wave of irritation surged through Oscar. Since when had Maya become so composed? The old her would have stormed off in a fury if he so much as chatted with another woman. Yet now he was literally marrying her sister, and she was just… playing with her phone?

Why wasn't she breaking down?

Why wasn't she fighting for him?

That strange unease in his chest tightened. But before he could say anything, Diana tugged his arm, gently urging him back to the moment.

Meanwhile, Maya paid them no mind.

She was browsing flight tickets—desperate to leave, but frustrated to find no departures available for the next few days. She didn't want to stay here, not a minute longer.

The doctor had specifically advised her to keep a balanced diet, remain calm, and avoid stress. None of those were remotely possible in her current state.

And then, under the cheers of the crowd, Oscar caved.

He leaned in and kissed Diana.

Maya glanced up at precisely that moment.

And yes, her heart twisted sharply—but only for a second.

She took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and turned to leave as quietly as she could. But just as she reached the edge of the stage, Diana's voice rang out.

"Maya," she called sweetly, "I'd love for you to say a few words of blessing. This is the final part of the ceremony—you wouldn't refuse me, would you?"

Once upon a time, Maya might've flown into a rage, refused to be humiliated, perhaps even slapped Diana across the face.

But now?

Now, she simply set her bag down and walked up onto the stage.

"Of course," she said calmly. "I'd be happy to give my blessing."

She turned to face the guests.

"I wish Diana and Oscar a lifetime of love and happiness together. May your marriage be filled with joy, and may you be blessed with a beautiful family in the years to come."

She paused. "Is that sufficient?"

A visible shadow crossed Oscar's face. He stepped forward abruptly, grabbing her wrist with a hint of desperation.

"What do you mean by that?" he snapped. "Can you stop being so unreasonable? How many times do I have to explain? This whole wedding—it's just for show. Once it's over, I'm yours. Isn't that enough?"

The emcee stared blankly at the trio onstage, clearly bewildered by the unfolding drama.

But Maya yanked her hand free and took two steps back, her gaze icy.

"Oscar," she said coolly, "what makes you think I'd ever want a man who's already married? You're married to my sister now—so act like it."
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  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 23

    Oscar turned himself in.He sat quietly in the interrogation room of the police station, his gaze vacant, as if the soul had long since departed his body."I killed Diana Beckham," he confessed in a hoarse, flat tone. "I'm willing to accept whatever punishment the law sees fit."The police moved swiftly. The evidence was overwhelming and irrefutable. Oscar was formally arrested within hours.In court, he made no effort to defend himself. "I admit that I killed her," he said. "And no—I don't regret it. If I had to choose again, I'd still do the same."In the gallery, Mary nearly collapsed in tears. Her only daughter—her one and only child, cruel as she may have been—was gone. She had lost everything. A mother burying her child—there was no pain more piercing.In the end, Oscar was sentenced to death.He was placed in solitary confinement, awaiting the day when the sentence would be carried out.'Maya,' he whispered silently in the darkness, 'I'm sorry. I failed you. I was the

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 22

    Oscar stumbled out of the hospital like a man possessed, as if his soul had been sucked out of him. The midday sun blazed down in ruthless brilliance, so piercing that it forced his eyes shut.He walked aimlessly, with no destination, no purpose, a hollow shell adrift on a sea of despair.Suddenly, his phone rang.Glancing down, he saw Diana's name flashing on the screen. His brows knotted in instinctive irritation. He hesitated—everything in him screamed to ignore it—but after a beat, he pressed answer."I heard everything!" Diana's shrill voice came barreling down the line. "Maya's lost her memory. She's never going to remember you again!"A flash of fury shot straight to Oscar's head. His grip tightened around the phone as he struggled to contain himself."You have the nerve to say that?" he snapped coldly. "This is all your fault!""My fault?" Diana let out a mirthless laugh, thick with scorn. "Don't play the victim now, Oscar. Don't forget—you chose me. You abandoned Maya f

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 21

    Caught completely off guard, Oscar stumbled backward, landing hard on the cold hospital floor. A sharp, searing pain shot across his cheek where the punch had landed, but there wasn't a trace of resentment in his heart.He knew he deserved it."That punch was for Maya," Charles said icily, his tone as cutting as the blow itself. "You don't deserve to stand anywhere near her."Slowly, Oscar pushed himself up from the floor. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth without a word.Just then, the door to the ICU creaked open, and a doctor stepped out."How is she?" Oscar and Charles asked in unison, both voices laced with tension."She's awake," the doctor replied. "But… her condition is a little unusual.""Unusual?" Oscar's voice rose, taut with anxiety. "What do you mean?""She's lost her memory," the doctor explained calmly. "She only recalls recent events. Everything prior has been completely wiped."A deafening hum echoed through Oscar's head, and for a moment, the wo

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 20

    The moment Oscar received Diana's call, he was gripped with panic. Without a second thought, he jumped into his car and sped toward her place, his chest heavy with turmoil.His thoughts churned as the night sped past his windows. He knew—deep down, achingly—that he had ruined Maya's birthday. And guilt gnawed at him mercilessly."Maya, I'm sorry," he muttered silently, gripping the wheel. "As soon as I take care of Diana's situation, I'll make it up to you. I promise."But when he arrived at Diana's apartment, what greeted him wasn't a damsel in distress—but a woman lounging lazily on the sofa, sipping tea like she had the whole world on a string. A smug little smile curled at the corners of her mouth.Oscar's face darkened with fury."What the hell is wrong with you? Are you seriously insane?" His voice erupted, sharp and unforgiving. "Do you have any idea what day it is today? It's your sister's birthday!"Diana blinked at him innocently, her voice trembling with just the right

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 19

    Maya let out a bitter laugh, tears welling up in her eyes—yet not a single drop dared to fall. That familiar pride, that unyielding dignity, wouldn't let her break."Maya," she muttered to herself, a tight whisper lost in the night, "what are you still hoping for? He never had you in his heart."Just then, her phone buzzed.It was a message from Diana."Maya, now you finally see it, don't you? Oscar's heart was never with you. If I wanted, he'd toss you aside in a second."Maya stared at the screen. Her lips pressed into a pale, trembling line, and the ache in her chest dug deeper.Every word was a knife.And the worst part?Diana wasn't wrong. Oscar had never truly chosen her. Not once.'Diana, you win.' The words echoed silently in her heart. 'I give up.'She inhaled slowly, deeply—then slid her phone back into her bag with a composure that took everything she had. Rising to her feet, she turned and walked out of the restaurant.By now, night had settled across the city, t

  • Heartstrings and Heartbreaks   Chapter 18

    A few days later, it was Maya's birthday.She opened her eyes that morning and stared blankly at the ceiling above, a strange emptiness settling in her chest. Birthdays were supposed to feel special, weren't they? Yet all she felt was a quiet, echoing loneliness.Just then, the doorbell rang.Her heart gave a little leap—could it be?She hurried out of bed, flung the door open, only to be met by a deliveryman standing crisply in his uniform, a beautifully wrapped gift box in his hands."Your package," he said politely, holding it out.Maya took it, her initial joy dimming into something like disappointment. Still, she managed a smile and thanked him before closing the door.Back inside, she unwrapped the parcel slowly. Inside was a delicate necklace—exquisite and tasteful—and a small card with familiar handwriting.Maya, happy birthday. I'm sorry I can't be with you today, but know that my heart is always with you. —Charles.A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as s

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