ly

it was unmistakable. He took a step towards me, his eyes dark with an unsp

done, you expect me to sit there and applaud her, knowing she stole my work, kno

ly reasonable. "She' s finally getting the recognition she deserves

betrayal! And you expect me to be happy for the woman who has systema

his eyes narrowing. "It's an order." Th

e closer, his face inches from mine. "Don't make a scene, Emily. It wouldn't look good for either of us. Especially not for you."

se or even regret. But there was nothing. Only a cold, calculating emptiness. My last shred

asting like ash. "I'll go." I

ll burning my skin. A small, satisfied smile touched his li

with a thousand lights, a testament to Carly's "success." As Blake led me onto the red carpet, a ripple of whispers followed us. My name, once synonymous with innovation and artistry, was now a whispered scandal. Old acq

weet as she delivered her acceptance speech. "I owe so much of this to one incredibly supportive, visionary man..." She paused, her gaze sw

t in his eyes. It was a look I had once craved, a look that had been reserved for me. Now, it

ashed through my mind. Lies. All lies. A hollow ache settled deep in my chest. He had

Blake, throwing her arms around his neck. Their lips met in a long, lingering kiss, a public declaration of their t

ghts of the ballroom blurring into a kaleidoscope of pain. My heart was a shriveled thing in my chest, squeeze

auntered over to me, her smile a thin, cruel line. "Emily, darling. So glad yo

my voice barely a whi

s. "Did you really think I wouldn't take what was mine? Your precious formulas? Your brilliant ideas? They were always meant for me. You were just holding them for safekeeping." She leaned closer, her breath hot on my ear. "And Blake? He's mine t

mposure. "You're a monster," I whispered, my voice trembling with a rage

e, little fool who believed in fairy tales." She turned, a triumphant glint in her

ently, their delicate tinkling turning into a frantic jingle. The floor beneath my feet trembled, a deep rumble vib

e ceiling. A massive crack webbed across the ornate ceiling, growing wider with terrifying speed. People