~LAYLA~
I froze, my breath catching in my throat as Cassandra leaned back with that same 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 me 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 me. I’m always one step ahead of you. Ever since you embarrassed me at the gala, I’ve had someone keeping an eye on you. I only had to wait for the perfect opportunity to remind you not to cross me."
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 me in danger for this?"
Her laugh was harsh and unkind. "Don’t flatter yourself, Layla. Men 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 me and I snapped. "I’d rather die than apologise to you."
Instantly, her smile vanished. It happened immediately, but her heel came down mercilessly 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 comes 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 me into the Villain in public once more.
Tears stung my eyes, but the rage in me 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 me, 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 me."
Her eyes glinted with malice. "Prepare yourself, sister. Tonight, you’ll finally be humiliated properly."
She turned and sauntered off, leaving me 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 moment.
Dear God. My chest pounded as she plastered on her smile for the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen," her voice rang out, "thank you so much for coming to celebrate this incredible launch. But before we continue, I have something very special to share. A gift for my lovely sister, Layla."
Every head turned, and the spotlight swung until it landed squarely on me. My breath caught and my palms turned clammy.
Reporters flooded into the hall at that moment, and soon, cameras began flashing and pointing directly at me.
Cassandra had planned this down to the smallest detail. This wasn’t just about humiliating me in front of a few socialites. She wanted the whole world to watch me in my lowest moment.
"No..." I whispered under my breath.
Onstage, Cassandra beamed like a goddess, basking in her own cruelty.
At that moment, another figure joined her.
Daniel.
Great.
My stomach twisted so hard I thought I’d throw up.
He gave me a mocking once-over before sliding an arm around Cassandra’s waist like they were some kind of power couple.
"Oh, you’re just in time for the show, baby," Cassandra said to him, her voice dripping with fake affection.
Daniel laughed, his eyes glinting as he looked at me. "Of course, I would never miss such."
My knees wobbled as the screen came alive.
One by one, the photos lit up the massive projector: me at the club, that stranger’s arm around me, 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 message 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 me.
"Oh my God..."
"Didn’t she just get married?"
"What a disgrace."
"Unbelievable."
Reporters shouted my name, snapping photos furiously and blinding me with the flashes.
And then came 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 smell it. You never could keep your legs closed, could you?"
The crowd erupted with judgmental mutters and mocking laughter.
"Slut."
"Pathetic."
"She doesn’t deserve the O’Brien name."
"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.