FALL FROM GRACE
Serena sat alone in her dark bedroom, phone clutched in her hand.
Her social media accounts were exploding.
Unfollowed.
Blocked.
Exposed.
Comments flooded her screen:
— Fraud
— Fake heiress
— Thief
— You deserve jail
She threw the phone across the room and screamed.
"They used to love me!" she cried.
Her door opened.
Mrs. Vale stood there, eyes red from crying.
"Serena… we need to talk."
Serena laughed bitterly.
"Now you want to talk?"
Mrs. Vale hesitated.
"I don't know who you are anymore," she whispered.
"You lied to us… your whole life."
Serena's heart cracked.
"I was protecting my place," she shouted.
"I didn't choose to be poor!"
Mrs. Vale flinched.
"You destroyed another girl's life to protect yours," she said quietly.
"That's unforgivable."
Serena sank onto the bed, shaking.
---
Lucien's Choice
Lucien stood in a board meeting when his phone buzzed.
Elara.
He stood up instantly.
"Meeting's over," he said.
"But sir—"
"Cancel everything."
He left without another word.
His assistant stared in shock.
"You're choosing her over business?" she asked.
Lucien stopped.
"Yes," he said firmly.
"Every time."
---
Elara's First Step
Elara stood inside a small office space she just rented.
A simple sign hung outside:
WYNN MEDIA GROUP
Her hands trembled.
"This is mine," she whispered.
"My name."
She signed the lease.
For the first time in her life, she felt powerful.
---
Serena's Last Card
That night, Serena met Evan secretly.
"You have to help me," she begged.
"They took everything!"
Evan looked away.
"You deserve it."
She grabbed his arm.
"You still love me."
He shook his head.
"I loved who I thought you were."
Her eyes darkened.
"Then help me ruin Elara," she whispered.
"Or I'll destroy you too."
Evan froze.