~LAYLA~
I froze, my breath catching in my throat as Cassandra leaned back with that sa sickly sweet smile, like she hadn’t just dropped a bomb in my ear.
My chest squeezed tight. All those pictures. Blackmail. It all clicked.
Of course, it was her. Who else could sink so low to bring down?
She saw the realization dawn in my face, and her smile widened. "That’s right," she murmured. "Beg, or I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly what you’ve been up to. A slut jumping from man to man."
I felt my stomach twist, and I hissed under my breath. "That’s not true, Cass, and you know it," My nails dug into my palm. "How the hell did you even get your hands on those pictures?"
Cassandra tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, you know . I’m always one step ahead of you. Ever since you embarrassed at the gala, I’ve had soone keeping an eye on you. I only had to wait for the perfect opportunity to remind you not to cross ."
She smirked, shrugging casually. "And when I saw those photos... well, I couldn’t have asked for a better gift."
My skin prickled with disgust. "Did you send that man yourself? Did you actually put in danger for this?"
Her laugh was harsh and unkind. "Don’t flatter yourself, Layla. n like that don’t need my help. I just took advantage of the fallout. Efficient, isn’t it?"
My stomach lurched. She was insane. What have I ever done to Cassandra to deserve this level of hate?
Anger filled and I snapped. "I’d rather die than apologise to you."
Instantly, her smile vanished. It happened imdiately, but her heel ca down rcilessly right on my exposed toes. Pain shot up my leg.
I gasped, biting back a scream as white heat seared through my foot.
"Beg," Cassandra hissed. "Stop being so stubborn and beg."
I tried to yank my foot back, but she pressed harder, her voice dripping poison. "Do you think Axel will forgive you when this cos out? Do you think he’ll stand by you after you ruin his reputation?"
I thought of pushing her away but knowing Cassandra, that was exactly what she wanted to turn into the Villain in public once more.
Tears stung my eyes, but the rage in was stronger. "I don’t know what you think you are but you can go to hell, sister."
Cassandra looked taken back at first but her eyes narrowed in fury. She finally lifted her heel, and I stumbled back against the wall, groaning softly.
My foot throbbed, blood already soaking through the thin strap of my heel. But the pain was nothing compared to the hate burning in my chest.
Cassandra stared at , lips curving again. "Why can’t you just be happy with your life, Layla? Why do you insist on ruining mine?"
I blinked at her in disbelief. "Leave you alone? Cass, you practically stole my life. What the hell are you even talking about?"
She retorted in a low voice. "I didn’t steal anything. I only took what was offered to ."
Her eyes glinted with malice. "Prepare yourself, sister. Tonight, you’ll finally be humiliated properly."
She turned and sauntered off, leaving half-limping, half-sliding against the wall for support.
I looked down at my foot. My skin was split, blood bleeding into the silver straps of my sandal.
But that wasn’t what made my stomach churn.
It was the sight of Cassandra stepping up onto the raised platform in the centre of the hall, grabbing the mic like she’d been waiting her whole life for this mont.
Dear God. My chest pounded as she plastered on her smile for the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlen," her voice rang out, "thank you so much for coming to celebrate this incredible launch. But before we continue, I have sothing very special to share. A gift for my lovely sister, Layla."
Every head turned, and the spotlight swung until it landed squarely on . My breath caught and my palms turned clammy.
Reporters flooded into the hall at that mont, and soon, caras began flashing and pointing directly at .
Cassandra had planned this down to the smallest detail. This wasn’t just about humiliating in front of a few socialites. She wanted the whole world to watch in my lowest mont.
"No..." I whispered under my breath.
Onstage, Cassandra bead like a goddess, basking in her own cruelty.
At that mont, another figure joined her.
Daniel.
Great.
My stomach twisted so hard I thought I’d throw up.
He gave a mocking once-over before sliding an arm around Cassandra’s waist like they were so kind of power couple.
"Oh, you’re just in ti for the show, baby," Cassandra said to him, her voice dripping with fake affection.
Daniel laughed, his eyes glinting as he looked at . "Of course, I would never miss such."
My knees wobbled as the screen ca alive.
One by one, the photos lit up the massive projector: at the club, that stranger’s arm around , his hand on my waist, his mouth too close to my ear.
Gasps filled the hall and murmurs rippled like wildfire.
Then the video began.
It was a short clip, barely three seconds. But it was enough. I appeared willing because of the angle and the way it was cut. It passed the ssage that I was complicit in whatever madness Cassandra had conjured up there.
My entire body went cold as the whispers grew louder, and I felt eyes on .
"Oh my God..."
"Didn’t she just get married?"
"What a disgrace."
"Unbelievable."
Reporters shouted my na, snapping photos furiously and blinding with the flashes.
And then ca the final blow.
Cassandra pressed her hand to her chest, pretending to be shocked. "Oh, my Layla!
What are those pictures?" she gasped dramatically.
Daniel piled on without missing a beat. He stepped forward, speaking in a loud enough voice. "I always knew you were a cheater, Layla. Even back when we were together, I could sll it. You never could keep your legs closed, could you?"
The crowd erupted with judgntal mutters and mocking laughter.
"Slut."
"Pathetic."
"She doesn’t deserve the O’Brien na."
"I wonder what her husband would say when he finds out..."
I tried to speak, to defend myself, but the words caught in my throat, and the next thing that followed was a...
SMACK!
My head snapped to the side.
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