28 28#28
28.00
Aliana was in unfamiliar territory, feeling a surge of fear as she desperately sought an escape, even if it meant resorting to persuasion.
“Emmett! I admit to those actions, but consider this: She exploited my absence, using her resemblance to me to steal you away! Shouldn’t I feel betrayed?”
The stream of comments resumed with intensity.
“Incredible twist! I assumed the other woman was causing trouble, but she’s actually the substitute, now defending the original. Aliana seems somewhat pitiful!”
These replacement narratives are so frustrating!”
“I always sensed Athena was the virtuous one. What’s wrong with Emmett? How could he be so harsh to a stand–in?”
“Shouldn’t we alert the authorities? Someone needs to rescue Aliana!”
“Athena? Another Athena? How many Athenas are there? I’m getting confused!”
Emmett crouched down, his grip unyielding as he forced Aliana to meet his
gaze.
The eyes he once viewed with sympathy now appeared utterly repugnant.
“I never thought you’d sink this low. You portrayed innocence to me, but you’re nothing but vile in Athena’s presence. If not for you, Athena and I would be married by now, and I’d be set to inherit the Davidson family’s wealth without any complications!”
“Athena and I share a destined connection. We are the closest individuals in existence, Aliana, are insignificant.
and
you,
Aliana flinched, dread coursing through her, but she scrambled to justify herself. “Destined connection? Didn’t you profess your love and desire to marry me during our intimate moments? Was it all fabrication?”
“It wasn’t false… before,” Emmett sneered, his tone glacial. “But now? Do you truly believe you merit hearing ‘I love you‘ from me?”
Without a shred of compassion, he gripped her chin firmly, shoving her aside as if she were
worthless.
Emmett had anticipated this moment. A quick glance at his assistant–holding the phone was all he needed to know his next move.
Swiftly, someone shared a link showcasing the romantic history between Emmett and Athena
over time. The collection included Emmett’s public declaration of love for Athena in a
prominent financial publication, captivating all of Ravenloch, and the discreet, lavish wedding arrangements in progress. Every detail of this narrative was exposed in the comments of Aliana’s livestream.
Almost instantly, Aliana’s supporters who had insulted Athena found their accounts suspended.
The onlookers, engrossed in the drama, were once again left stunned as the complete truth unfolded.
“This isn’t shocking. The wedding was in the works long before Aliana returned to the country. The mistress remains the mistress. She brought this upon herself!”
“What a performer! Nearly deceived me too. She’s quite brazen, isn’t she?”
“Though Emmett’s no saint either! How could he be so shameless, playing both sides like that?”
“Fans still defending her? Doesn’t change the fact that your sister’s the other woman! Mistress, mistress, mistress!”
The internet erupted in fury, and the outcry against Aliana intensified. Her sponsors swiftly severed ties, and her fan club announced mass unfollowing.
Her image as the nation’s pure beauty disintegrated instantly, and within hours, she became the most reviled individual in the country.
Aliana’s face was wet with tears, her heart burdened with remorse. Why had she acted so rashly then? Now, all her meticulously constructed illusions were reduced to nothing, slipping away from her grasp.
She recognized that her reputation was irreparably damaged in the public eye, but there remained one glimmer of hope, one final lifeline she clung to.
Desperation saturated her voice as she implored Emmett, her sobs interrupting her words. “Emmett, I acknowledge my mistakes. I don’t care how you treat me anymore; just please, show mercy to the child I’m carrying! Once the baby arrives, I’ll disappear from your life forever. The child is innocent!”
Her words were laced with feigned helplessness, but internally, Aliana’s mind continued to devise schemes, searching for an escape route.
