Chapter 53 A BREAK IN
ERICA’S POV
My eyes fluttered open slowly, my gaze landing on the TV screen flickering faintly in the dark room. I stayed still for a moment before reaching for my phone. The screen buzzed violently in my palm: notifications piling up like ants over sugar.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
I unlocked it.
“How can she do that?”
“Erica, are you seeing this?”
“Damn… so that gentleness was just a facade?”
A slow, sinister smile curled on my lips.
I sat up on the bed, pushing the covers aside as I finally opened the trending video.
There it was.
Giselle: Slapping Nelly hard across the face.
The sound echoed even through the screen.
A sharp cackle tore out of my throat.
Still, people hesitated. Still afraid to say the truth. Afraid to type what they had always been seen but chose to ignore. The world loved pretty lies. I sneered.
So I logged out of my account.
New number. New name. and I commented.
\[“She’s not all rosy. She bullied me throughout high school. She made me hate humans and abandon a glamorous life I once loved. I was too scared to report her because everyone adored her. But now… justice is needed.”\] I clicked send.
I licked my lips and stood up, pacing the room, my bathrobe clinging loosely to my skin. I spun around once, almost dancing.
“How funny,” I cackled, my fingers tangling into my hair.
Then...Beep. Beep.
I froze. My phone screen lit up in my hand.
Giselle....The devil herself, it made me smile, my message must have provoked her to death, I should taunt her a bit so I answered.
“Hello,” I said coldly. “What’s wrong?”
Her breath hitched on the other end. I could hear it, the fake tears, the practiced sobs. Disgust twisted my mouth.
“I-I was framed,” Giselle whispered, her voice shaking.
I stilled. Just wait until the other video drops, I thought, licking my lips slowly.
“Framed?” I asked, urgency coating my tone perfectly. “What news?”
Her voice shifted instantly, her tactic changed. Typical manipulator.
“I need to talk to Nelly,” she said quickly. “She has to clear my name. I didn’t touch her—”
I sighed softly, masking my sneer. “Let’s meet tomorrow,” I cut in. “I’ll help clear this.”
I felt the little reluctant in her voice "But this could spread wilder, we need to addr-"
Before she could continue another word, I ended the call.
Help? No.
I wanted her to rot in the mess she created. The more nonchalant I stayed, the deeper she would sink.
So it was Nelly...she had done what I had predicted perfectly. Being belittled must have been infuriating for her! She was going to be my pawn for now.
Yesterday, I had told Nine to send the video of Giselle slapping Nelly with a caption:
“Do you deserve this? Make her regret her actions.”
Even villains snap when they’re treated like trash. My phone buzzed again.
“ARE YOU FUCKING CRAZY? BULLYING: WHEN DID I EVER DO THAT?!” I clicked my tongue. This bitch couldn’t even fake kindness.
I typed back. “Your real identity is exposed. Is that why you’re fucking doing this?”
Three dots appeared: she was typing.
Then—“I will murder you if you don’t take that down.”
Laughter escaped from my lips. I typed one word.
\[“Sent.”\]
The dots vanished. Her silence lingered.
I knew her heart had stopped for a second. Yes. I sent it deliberately.
The threat went viral within minutes. Reporters reposted it. Screenshots everywhere.
The comments exploded.
“She’s so evil.”
“Oh my God, she even threatened her.”
“Giselle deceived us all.”
“Bullies make people commit suicide: strip her fame and money!”
“Put her behind bars!”
I stared at the screen, expression unreadable. Arresting her now would be lame. Expelling her would be mercy.....She deserved a criminal record.
That night, the way she crushed that man’s body, burned it, scattered his ashes into the sea, I knew it.
Giselle deserved death. But not quickly.
Slow.....Painful.....And Calculated.
I dialed a number. “Hello, Miss,” Nine’s soft voice answered.
“Spread it faster,” I said calmly. “I want it everywhere by tonight. Create an anti-fan group. Destroy her image.”
“Miss… wouldn’t Giselle resort to death?” Nine asked carefully. “She could ruin the plan.”
A menacing laugh left my lips.
“She won’t,” I said. “She fears death, but she fears disgrace more: She wouldn't die and let her image be dragged in mud. Let it sit for two weeks. Then I’ll tell you what to do next.” The call ended.
I lay back, staring at the ceiling, smiling, until my phone buzzed again.
This time an 'Unknown number.'
I ignored it. Then a message came in. “I’m a reporter. Justice must be served. Let’s meet. I’ll conduct an interview to expose Giselle's evil.”
Disgust flashed through me....Humans are hypocrites.
The same media that worshipped Giselle yesterday now wanted to tear her apart. What if it had been a lie? Another innocent life destroyed? I turned off my phone, tossed it onto the bed.
I walked into the bathroom and let my bathrobe fall to the floor.
The shower turned on. Then my warm bubble bath. Foam swallowed my skin as I sank in, smiling ear to ear.
“OOOH, all I want is your downfall,” I sang softly, swaying my head and wiggling my foot.
“Alexia, play Enemy by Tommee Profitt ft. Beacon Light and Sam Tinnesz.” I told my voice assistant....The music filled the bathroom instantly.
I lip-synced, my legs kicking lazily in the air.
This was revenge....Dangerous Yet Addictive.
My skin tingled with pleasure. “Kill them slowly,” I whispered but then...
Creak....
I froze.
“Alexia,” I whispered, “turn the music off.” and silence followed.
I listened for a while, my heart pounded in panic as heavy footsteps approached.
My eyes widened.
Someone broke in.
“Shit,” I cursed under my breath. “My robe is outside…”
I swallowed.
“I’m screwed.”