DANI'S POV
The violent buzz of my phone had already dragged me from my sleep twice, but this time, the
constant stream of notifications forced my eyes open. I stretched and took my phone from the
nightstand.
Missed calls and text messages. A lot of them.
Text messages from my PR team, friends, distant acquaintances, even some of my old
modeling agents who hadn't spoken to me in years. Different Media requests were also among
the list. My heart dropped before I even saw the reason why. It can never be good.
Then I opened the trending section on my social media, curiously.
There it was, the first article and flashing in bold.
"From Crippled to bring Cold-Hearted: Dani Leaves Ex-Fiancé, Steals Spotlight with the help of
her New Romance"
Just under the headline was a photo of me yelling something at Dani on the stage.
the caption below it made my heart drop deeper.
"Sources claim supermodel Dani faked disability for sympathy and used it to trap wealthy single
father Raul into marriage. Now walking and wicked, she's back in the limelight with a new man,
leaving behind the child and man, wrecked financially and emotionally. Ready to destroy."
I stared at the screen, my emotions mixed with anger and confusion.
There wasn't any source, no evidence. Just poison. Camila's poison and I could smell it. She
had been at the gala. I had seen the glare in her eyes when I talked back to her. This was her
move. Her dagger.
I swallowed hard, forcing down whatever was growing in my chest.
The doorbell broke the eerie silence all around me. I rushed down to the door and flung it wide
open. Kenneth stood in front of me, breathing her, like he had run all the way here.
"Have you seen the news?" He put his phone in my face.
I leaned back a bit and slightly pushed the phone away. I nodded. "The endless messages woke
me up."
"Kenneth, what do I do?" Voice came out low and soft, my eyes fighting the urge to release
tears.
Kenneth steps into the house, closing the door. He grabbed my cheeks, and locked eyes with
me, "Don't worry, we will get to the bottom of this Dani."
I nodded at his words.
"I don't know who the hell would spread such news." He paced around the house, his
expression changed from the soft one to something more of anger.
"I think I might have an idea." I said
He stops and turns towards me, "And who might that be?"
"Camila." I said gently
He took a few steps back to me, "Camila?"
I nodded, "We met at the party and she confronted me. Something about Raul."
Kenneth remained silent for a second and then put his hands under his chin. "She can't do this
by herself."
My eyes widened at his words. "What do you mean? You think someone is working and helping
her?"
He nods, "Camila isn't capable of making this…..this big." He stood silent for a moment.
He looked like he was calculating our next move.
He finally turns to me and puts his hands on my shoulders, "Don't worry, Dani, everything's
going to be alright. I'll make a few calls now, everything is going to be fine."
I couldn't think of anything to say and just nodded once more.
Just as Kenneth turned and started making calls. My phone rings again. The brands team.
I picked the video call.
"Ma, the company's upcoming lipstick campaign is in jeopardy, because of the situation the
recent article put you in." The woman began talking, expecting I had already heard about the
story.
I remained silent and let them continue.
Another man continues, "our sponsors are threatening to pull out until you clear your name." My heart dropped.
"Don't worry, we will handle it." Kenneth spoke over my shoulders and urged me to end the call.
Which I did.
"I have an idea Dani." He said. "Hold a press, tell them everything, everything about your past.
Leave nothing out. Give them the authentic and unfiltered truth."
My breath caught.
I couldn't do it, I couldn't go through, telling the world of my past. What if they don't believe it
afterwards? What if Camila just cooks another story? What if…..
I felt Kenneth's hands pick up my own hands and he locked eyes with me.
"Don't worry, Dani. I'm right beside you all the way. You do not need to fear anything."
A smile crept into my lips and I fell into his warm embrace.
CAMILA'S POV
I picked up the champagne Lancelot had bought and with a loud pop, the liquid shot out,
spraying the sitting room.
"She's trending on every major platform," Lancelot said, his eyes locked on the screen. "The
story caught fire."
I couldn't help but smirk at Lancelot's words.
"Imagine it," I whispered, sipping from my glass. "Everything she built, all that applause and
adoration, now destroyed. Her Sponsors will question her and her followers will doubt her. No
one would want to back a liar, especially one who played the sympathy card."
Behind me, Lancelot chuckled darkly beside me
Just as we were celebrating, the door slammed.
Raul walked in with fury, startling both of us.
"What the hell did you do?" he demanded facing me and ignoring Lancelot.
I stayed perfectly still and composed. "Good morning to you too."
"Don't play cute with me, Camila," he snapped. "You released that article. You set her up."
Lancelot straightened himself on the seat and closed his laptop with a soft click.
I set my glass down on the table. "So what if I did? You've been chasing her all around like
some lost dog, I had to do something." I said, averting my gaze.
"By destroying her reputation?" he screamed at the top of his voice. "By digging up some lie
about her?"
"She wouldn't even talk to you!" I shot back at him, my voice loud and sharp. "You did some
teary confession in that event like it was a movie. Don't be naive, Raul. This...this mess,
would force her to run back to you. She would run back to you when she doesn't see any
choice." I lied to him.
"You think that'll make her run back to me?" he asks with a more calm voice.
"It might," I said softly.
"You don't want her to come back," he said, with a low voice. "You just want her gone."
I didn't deny it.
He then turned and walked out without another word.
DANI'S POV
I stepped on the small podium and sat down. Kenneth followed suit. Camera flashed in front of
us nonstop. I exhaled and leaned forward.