The next day, the set felt strangely quiet.
Elena arrived early.
She greeted the crew one by one, shook hands, exchanged polite smiles.
A few people looked at her with curiosity, a few with regret—
everyone knew this was her last day in the capital.
"Take care."
"Hope to work with you again."
"Good luck in Dream City."
Elena accepted every goodbye with grace.
Then she saw Rachel.
Standing slightly away from the crowd.
Not talking.
Waiting.
Elena paused for half a second—then walked toward her.
"Rachel," Elena said pleasantly, as if nothing had ever happened.
"How are you?"
She smiled lightly.
"I'm leaving the capital today."
A beat.
"You won't miss me too much… will you?"
Rachel didn't rise to the bait.
She crossed her arms, eyes sharp.
"You said you'd delete the audio on the last day."
Her voice hardened.
"So why the hurry?"
Elena frowned, looking almost hurt.
"I'll delete it," she said calmly.
"You're talking as if I did something terrible."
She leaned a little closer, tilting her face toward Rachel.
"Just look at me," Elena continued, completely serious.
"From far away, you can tell how innocent I am."
She smiled wider.
"Someone like me—so kind, so soft-hearted, so caring, so sweet…"
She paused deliberately.
"And beautiful."
"Do you really think I could ever do something wrong to you?"
Nearby, Lyra—who had been quietly drinking water—
choked.
She coughed so hard that water sprayed out.
People glanced over.
Lyra straightened immediately, wiped her mouth, cleared her throat, and forced a smile.
"Sorry," she said politely.
"Please… continue."
Inside her head, one thought screamed:
So THIS is what thick-skinned looks like.
Rachel's patience snapped.
"I don't want to know anything about you," she said sharply.
"Just delete the clip. That's enough."
She had lived in fear for an entire month.
Every notification.
Every call.
Every silence.
She didn't want arguments anymore.
She just wanted it done.
Elena studied her for a long moment.
Then she nodded.
"Alright," she said softly.
"Since you're asking…"
She took out her phone.
Right there.
In front of Rachel.
She opened the folder.
Found the audio file.
And deleted it.
The screen confirmed it.
Gone.
The smile on Elena's face faded instantly.
Not slowly—
instantly.
What replaced it wasn't anger.
It was cold.
Sharp.
Controlled.
Both Rachel and Lyra felt it at the same time.
A chill ran down their spines.
Elena stepped closer.
Rachel instinctively stepped back.
Then she stopped herself.
We're on set.
There are people everywhere.
She won't do anything.
Elena closed the distance.
She wrapped her arms around Rachel in what looked like a friendly hug.
From the outside—
it looked harmless.
From inside—
Elena leaned in and whispered into Rachel's ear.
"After I leave…"
Her voice was low. Calm.
"If you do anything I don't like…"
She pulled back slightly so Rachel could see her eyes.
"You won't be able to handle the consequences."
Rachel froze.
Her face went pale.
In Elena's gaze, she didn't see rage.
She saw certainty.
A promise.
Elena released her.
She stepped back, her sarcastic smile returning—light, elegant, unreadable.
Then she turned and walked away.
Rachel stood there.
Unable to move.
Unable to breathe properly.
Lyra watched everything.
And something clicked in her mind.
This is another side of Elena.
Not loud.
Not reckless.
But dangerous.
And strangely—
Lyra admired her even more.
She hurried after Elena.
By the time they reached the airport, Lyra let out a dramatic sigh.
"Elena," she said,
"you're leaving, and it already feels like my TV connection is getting cut."
Elena laughed softly, adjusting her bag.
"Relax," she replied.
"Good shows always return for the next season."
The boarding announcement echoed.
Elena didn't look back.
The capital was behind her now.
Lyra nodded—then, without warning, pulled Elena into a tight hug like she was afraid Elena might vanish mid-goodbye.
"I'm going to miss you," Lyra said seriously, voice heavy with drama.
"My daily dose of chaos is officially leaving the city."
Elena chuckled and lazily patted her back, completely unbothered.
"Relax," she said. "I'm not retiring from life. I'm just relocating."
Lyra pulled back slowly, squinting at her.
"To another city," she pointed out.
"Which is basically abandonment with better lighting."
Elena smirked, clearly enjoying this.
"If you miss me that badly, come to Dream City."
Lyra raised an eyebrow, arms crossing instantly.
"Am I allowed? Or do I need to book an appointment with Your Royal Highness?"
Elena straightened her posture, nodded solemnly like a queen granting mercy.
"Visiting hours are open," she declared.
"But gifts are mandatory. No exceptions."
Lyra gasped, placing a hand over her heart.
"So now love comes with terms and conditions?"
Elena replied calmly, without missing a beat.
"It always did. Friendship runs on snacks, sarcasm, and long-term emotional damage."
Lyra burst out laughing and hugged her again, this time tighter.
"Perfect. My life just lost its main character energy."
Elena adjusted her bag over her shoulder.
"Don't worry," she said casually.
"I'll come back for special appearances. Limited edition."
Lyra sighed dramatically, wiping imaginary tears.
"Promise?"
Elena walked backward toward the gate, waving like she owned the place.
"Only if the audience behaves."
Lyra watched her go, shaking her head with a fond smile.
"Typical," she muttered.
"Leaves the city… and still steals the spotlight."
And just like that, Elena disappeared through the gate—
taking the chaos with her.