MASKS FALLING
Lucien stood outside Serena's luxury apartment, jaw tight.
The door opened.
Serena smiled like nothing was wrong.
"Lucien? What a surprise."
He didn't return the smile.
"Cut the act," he said coldly. "I know you framed Elara."
Her eyes flickered.
"You don't have proof."
He stepped inside.
"I traced the edited footage," he said. "Your assistant accessed the system. Your IP address."
Serena laughed nervously.
"So? Anyone can fake that."
Lucien grabbed her wrist.
"Enough," he snapped. "You ruined an innocent woman."
Her mask cracked.
"She deserved it!" Serena screamed.
"She took what was mine!"
"What was yours?" he asked dangerously.
"Power? Money? A fake identity?"
Serena froze.
"…What do you know?"
He leaned closer.
"Everything is about to come out."
Fear crossed her face for the first time.
---
Elara's Close Call
At the publishing house, Elara stacked books when a familiar voice made her stiffen.
"Elara?"
She turned.
Evan.
Her blood went cold.
"What do you want?" she asked sharply.
He smiled weakly.
"I just want to talk."
She stepped back.
"We have nothing to talk about."
"I didn't know Serena would go this far," he said.
"She's dangerous."
"So are you," Elara replied.
He sighed.
"She framed you. I have proof."
Her heart skipped.
"You expect me to trust you?"
"I was stupid," he admitted.
"But I want to fix this."
She shook her head.
"Leave. Before I scream."
Evan hesitated… then left.
But he wasn't done.
---
Serena Panics
Serena paced her living room.
"Lucien knows," she whispered.
Her phone buzzed.
Evan:
We need to talk. I'm not protecting you anymore.
Her hands shook.
"Traitor," she hissed.
She grabbed her bag.
I need to run…