ina

y mother' s locket, now around Anika' s neck, felt like a burning brand on my own skin. I watched her preen, her smile smug, and felt a quiet, simmering rage begin t

apped her hands, her voice ringing through the ballroom. "And now," she announced, "

e. A premonition. A feeling of dread, cold and sharp, piercing through the numb s

nds, Haywood' s business associates, all wishing her well. Then, the music

My face. My body. Distorted, photoshopped, grotesque. My breath caught in my throat.

his isn't real. This is impossible. My mind screamed, trying to

eaking the shocked silence in the bal

On my birthday! To expose yourself like this!" Her eyes, wide with feigned shock, darted

with a rage so fierce it tasted like iron. "You put t

w dare you! Me? I would never! You're just trying t

to stop the horrifying images. My fingers scrabbled at the blank surfac

evoid of any warmth. "Is this true? Are these... yours?" He looked at me as if I were a stranger, a disgust

ce cracking with desperation. My heart was breaking, not just f

was a social climber." "Poor Haywood, what a tramp he married." Their judgmental eyes were spears, piercing t

ck, the cold glass a sudden anchor in my swirling world. With a primal scream, I swung it, not at the screen, b

the broken bottle, its jagged edges glinting dangerously, and stagge

y voice a guttural growl.

ds flew, sending guests scattering, screaming. Anika shrieked, a high-pitched, piercing

kill me!" she wailed, bury

Get out, Celina! Get out now!" he roared, protectiv

of that she manipulated you, proof that she orchestrated all of this! I'll expose her! I'll

upset..." "What if it is fake?" But before any doubt could truly take root, a terrifying rumble filled

. Panic erupted. Guests ran, screami

"Get away from her, you lunatic!" he yelled, his eyes only on Anika.

e, the largest chandelier, a glittering monstrosity of glass and me

eckled with black. I tasted blood, metallic and hot. I tried to move, but my body wouldn' t obey. C

et every nerve ending screamed. I could hear Haywood's voice,

atch. But... Celina..." Anika' s

ed by the emergency lights. "Haywood," I whispered, my voice barely audible, "Help me. Pl

nika. "See, Celina? This is what happens when you defy me. When you cause

ken," I whimpered, a fresh

ely stood up, pulling a whimpering Anika forward. "My fiancée! She's

eeing the severity of my injuries. One knelt beside me, his face grim.

ttend to my fiancée! Her family is influential. There

er colleague reluctantly helped Anika onto a stretcher. As they wheeled her pas

d, indifferent gaze, watching them take Anika away, completely ignoring me, left to die

. This time, I was alone. No Haywood. No Anika. Just the dull ache in my body and

nd her. Her eyes sparkled with malicious glee. "Well, well, well," she purred, her voic

My heart didn't even quicken. There w

the truth?" She chuckled, a cruel, mocking sound. "He didn't even visit you. Not once. He's too

acement, Anika. A cheap imitation. He doesn't love you. He

u! You filthy tramp! You have nothing! No family! No career! No one loves you! That's why

cheap piece of junk! It's worthless! Just like you!" She hurled it against the wall, the

pain in my leg, scrambling off the bed, my bandaged head throbbing. I fell to my knees amidst the shards of glass and fragments

Pathetic! Crying over a worthless piece of metal! Just

n, the despair. I straightened up, my eyes blazing, and without a second thoug

, stared at me, then filled with a venomous hatred. "You bitch! You

nd dangerous. "Tell him. Tell him

the floor, clutching her reddened cheek, me on my knees amidst the shattered remnants of my mother'