r awake almost all night, She groaned at the sight of the morning light through her cheap curtains. Her head

ut checking the caller ID, she grabbed it and pre

," came the

ena Rossi wasn't just her agent-she was one of the only people in the industry wh

breathed, alread

as sharp but controlled. "Amelia, you went after Adrian

her legs over the side of the bed, p

show, every social media platform-your name is everywhere. People are already picking sides. Some

"I didn't do thi

ond. "But that doesn't change the fact that you're in the center

pacing, anxiety clawing at

tements, no social media posts. Nothing. Do you hear me? Let the storm play

though Elena could

ry is fresh, and the paparazzi will be looking for you. They're going to ambush you, sho

emple. "So basicall

the industry, sweetheart. It was already brutal befo

that all she'd done was stand up for her best

Rachel?" Elena

oom. Rachel was curled up on her bed, still a

?" Elena hesitated. "Are you abso

assed through Amelia.

aid quietly. "Because Adrian Sinclair isn't t

pine. She clutched the phon

" Elena murmured. "I

ne wen

wly, staring at it as her he

fraid of Adr

sinking feelin

ips as she sat on the edge of her bed, her mind swirling with everything Elena had just told her.

ound her best friend still curled up under the sheets, her face barely visible in the dim morning light. The slo

g the previous night, and hunger gnawed at her stomach. With a quick d

d for a knife to slice it. Her hands were still shaky fro

tely sure abou

, rattling her, making her g

h

arp

the counter. A thin line of red welled up across her palm, beadi

and against the wound. It wasn't deep, but the sigh

e just stood the

and exposed, and now even the smallest thing

ng quick and light, she manages to finish preparing breakfast as she moves around the kitchen, the quiet clatter of

e table. Expecting another news notification or a social media mention, she reluc