Layla collapsed on the bench backstage, covering her face with her hands, tears streaming down her face. Her whole body was shaking, her breath hitching.
Jennifer sat down next to her, gently wrapping her arms around Layla's shoulders, her voice soft but firm:
"Layla... don't cry anymore. I know you're in pain... but you're not wrong."
Layla choked:
"But... why did he say that, Jen? I tried every day, I tried my best not to let anyone down... But in his eyes, I was just a part of the script... just a... professional puppet."
Jennifer wiped away Layla's tears, her eyes gentle but deep:
"No, you are not a puppet. You are the heart of BABYQUEEN, the person we love and are proud of. Damien may be too cold because he thinks about work, but Layla... feelings are not always professional. You have the right to cry, to be weak, to be yourself."
Layla leaned on Jennifer's shoulder, sobbing:
"But I'm so tired Jen... Always trying to be strong, always having to brace myself... I just want someone to hug me once, to tell me that I don't need to try anymore."
Jennifer tightened her arms, whispering like a lullaby:
"Then let me do it for you. Let you cry, Layla. Tears don't make you weak... they prove that you are alive, that you still have feelings. And you have to remember, BABYQUEEN is always here. We are family."
Layla cried even louder, as if releasing all the pain she had been holding back. Jennifer still held her, her eyes looking up at the night sky, gentle but also flashing with determination to protect.
In the waiting room next door, the atmosphere was as tense as a string. Rayden slammed his hand on the table:
"Damien, do you know what you just did? Layla is not a robot, she is a human! What you said was like cutting her heart out?"
Lucas continued, his voice harsh:
"How many times have you told us you love her? But the way you treat her… that's not love. That's control. That's turning love into a work contract."
Julian also frowned, questioning:
"Why do you always put 'professionalism' above Layla's happiness? Do you think love is like a game of chess? Controlling every move, calculating every reaction… Layla doesn't need a boss, do you understand? She needs someone by her side."
Damien sat with his arms crossed, his eyes cold as ice, his voice even:
"I'm just telling the truth. We are idols, there is no room for weakness. If Layla can't handle the pressure, then she... will be swallowed by the spotlight."
The group all stood up at once. Elio almost shouted:
"Enough, Damien! Don't use the 'idol' excuse. We all live in the spotlight, we all understand the price we have to pay... But love can't be turned into a show! You're loving the wrong way, and that's killing Layla every day!"
The atmosphere was thick, filled with anger and helplessness. But Damien just curled his lips, took out his phone, and texted Vex as if he didn't hear anything.
Rayden shook his head, his voice choked:
"If one day Layla falls... the first person to be responsible will be you."
Damien stopped typing for a moment, but then continued as if he hadn't wavered. His indifference made the entire Astrix silent, each of them clenching their fists, feeling a growing unease in their hearts.
In a hidden corner, Sara sat hugging her pillow, her eyes red. Serena and Lilia were beside her, each holding Sara's hand.
Sara whispered, her voice trembling:
"Grandma... is gone... You know... she was the only one who believed that I could sing, even when everyone said I was useless. I... have no one else..."
Serena bit her lip, holding back her tears, then said firmly:
"No, you still have us. You still have BABYQUEEN. Sara, we will bear this pain with you. You don't have to bear it alone."
Lilia hugged Sara tighter, whispering:
"If you want to cry... cry. If you want to scream... we will scream with you. We are not just a band. We are family. Family never abandons each other."
Sara burst into tears, leaning her head on Serena's shoulder. Lilia stroked her hair, her eyes red. Amidst the loss, that friendship shines like a small, warm flame.
In another corner, Sofia stands silently watching everything: Jennifer hugs a sobbing Layla, Astrix argues fiercely over Damien, Serena and Lilia comfort Sara.
The corners of Sofia's lips curl up, a smile that is half pity, half satisfaction. She takes out her phone, texting a short line to Vex:
"Everything is falling apart... Just one more touch, and BABYQUEEN will collapse."
The phone screen flashes in Sofia's hand, and her eyes still follow every tear, every argument, like an outsider, enjoying a tragic drama that she has just ignited.
A dark room, the walls covered in black metal reflect a cold light. In the middle of the space is a giant 3D hologram screen, floating, divided into three frames:
Layla is sitting collapsed in Jennifer's arms, sobbing. Jennifer hugged her tightly, whispering comfort in a soft, lulling voice.
ASTRIX in the practice room, arguing fiercely. Julian slammed his hand on the table, Rayden frowned, Lucas clenched his fists, Elio sat silently but looked at Damien with red eyes.
Serena and Lilia were hugging Sara, who had just collapsed on the chair, crying for her grandmother. Serena wiped Sara's tears, Lilia held her trembling hand.
Vex sat on the high armchair, his cold eyes shining in the darkness. He chuckled softly, stroked his chin, and spoke in a low voice.
AI assistant:
"Sir… the two clones of Jennifer and Lilia are complete. They are just waiting for your command to enter their roles."
Vex (smirking, eyes fixed on the hologram):
"Good. This world is getting interesting… Look, the pieces are touching each other, but they don't know that they are just acting out my script."
He waved his hand in the air, opening the hologram message. A series of lines appeared, messages between Damien and Sofia. Vex read, then laughed, tapping his hand on the chair.
Vex:
"Damien… Damien… you think you are going against my will? No… your love will only become a second knife to stab Layla."
Vex began typing. The message was sent with a mechanical voice reading:
Vex texted Damien:
"Love Layla however you want. The more you love her, the more she will die. But that is according to my plan."
… A moment later, the screen vibrated. Damien's reply appeared.
Damien texted Vex:
"I don't need your reminder. That's not the plan. That's how I love her. I don't love Layla for any of your games… I love her because…"
The message stopped mid-sentence. Vex frowned, then chuckled.
Vex replied to Damien:
"I know you love Layla. But don't forget: if you ruin my plans, I will erase her from this world.
Rayden, Elio, Lucas, and Julian, those four love in a way that doesn't affect the plan at all. On the contrary, they are the perfect shield to hide from the world. But you… Damien, the way you love Layla makes this play even more surprising and interesting."
Damien stared at the message, his hands clenched. He took a breath, then typed a long sentence.
Damien replied to Vex:
"I love her not to show you tragedy. I love Layla because in this world full of lies, she is the only truth. You can use her, you can play tricks, you can create a thousand layers of scenarios… But as long as I am here, Layla will never be your puppet."
The message ended. Silence filled the room. Vex was motionless for a few seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing, the laughter echoing off the metal walls, cold and creepy.
Vex (curling his lips, his deep voice echoing):
"Ha… ha… ha… This couple is more interesting than I thought. Damien… you think love will save Layla? No. It will kill her faster than anything. And I… will be the one to enjoy this tragedy from beginning to end."
He took a sip of red wine, letting the hologram reflect in his eyes, red as blood.