The afternoon sun spilled golden warmth across the city as the two powerful families swept into the luxury shopping complex. Glass doors parted with a soft whoosh, revealing polished marble floors and glittering chandeliers above. Their heels clicked in rhythm, echoing through the vast atrium like a parade of wealth and dominance.
"It's been too long since we all went out like this. Don't you think, Lily?" Mrs. Langford said, her pearls glinting as she adjusted them with graceful fingers.
Lily tilted her chin and smiled, the kind of polite smile that never reached her eyes."Hmm. Yes, it's… nice."
Elena let out a dramatic sigh, rolling her eyes as she checked her reflection in one of the mirrored walls."Hopefully no one ruins the mood today," she muttered, voice dripping with disdain.
Behind them, Aira walked quietly, her steps so soft they were almost swallowed by the mall's hum of chatter and music. She hugged her shawl close, head slightly lowered. The glittering shops around her felt like a stage she was never meant to stand on.
Mira, noticing the shadow in her eyes, leaned close and whispered, "Aira, you okay?" Her tone was tender, worried.
Aira forced the corners of her lips upward. Fake a smile. Just do it."I'm fine, Mira."
Sana, catching the exchange, let out a soft chuckle as she flipped her hair. "She always says that before drama starts," she quipped, walking ahead with a smug sway in her hips.
The group split naturally into pairs: Celeste slipped her arm around Elena's, whispering into her ear with sugary laughter that sparkled through the air. Aira stayed close to Mira, lingering near a display of designer heels lined like soldiers in glass cases.
For a brief moment, everything almost felt normal—shopping bags, laughter, the shine of luxury.
And then it shattered.
A sudden, sharp smack echoed through the store.
Celeste stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek. Gasps erupted from every direction. Heads turned. Shoppers froze.
"Aira!" Celeste's voice rang out, trembling as she pointed at her. "How dare you!"
Aira's eyes widened, her hand instinctively lifting in defense though she hadn't moved an inch."What? No—I didn't even touch you!"
Mrs. Langford rushed forward, her heels clattering against the marble. "What happened?!" she demanded, eyes darting between them.
Celeste's blue eyes shimmered with tears as she backed away dramatically. Her lower lip trembled, her voice breaking like glass."She… she slapped me! For no reason!" A single tear slid down her cheek, followed by another, until her face was wet with glittering streams.
"No! I didn't!" Aira's voice cracked, desperation seeping into every syllable. Her hands shook as she clutched her shawl tighter.
"I saw it!" Sana's voice cut through the air like a blade. She stepped forward confidently, chin high, eyes gleaming with false conviction.
Aira's lips parted in disbelief. "…Sana?" Her voice was soft, almost broken.
Sana folded her arms, tilting her head with a smirk. "Of course she did. She's jealous. Celeste is everything she's not."
Aira's throat closed. Her chest burned.
"Aira, what is wrong with you?" Lily's voice was cold, sharp, final. Her gaze at Aira was one of disgust, not doubt.
"No—wait! Aira wouldn't do that!" Mira jumped in, grabbing her sister's hand. "She was just with me! I swear she didn't touch Celeste!"
"Mira, don't defend her blindly," Mrs. Langford snapped, her voice low with disappointment, cutting Mira off like a slap.
"No one's listening—please, I didn't touch her! She's lying!" Aira pleaded, her voice trembling, eyes darting desperately from one familiar face to another.
But Celeste only wept harder, her delicate frame shaking as she clutched Elena's arm."I just wanted to be kind to her… I even tried to be her friend…" Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands. "But this?"
Gasps filled the air again. Shoppers whispered, phones lifted, cameras recording.
Aira felt her knees weaken, the world tilting. Why won't anyone believe me? Why do they always see me as the villain?
Only Mira stood beside her, eyes wide, face flushed with helpless anger.
Back at the Mansion
The Langford mansion was glowing in the fading dusk, but the atmosphere inside was heavy as stone. Alec stood by the tall window, one hand shoved in his pocket, the other holding a glass of untouched whiskey.
The moment he saw Aira step out of the car, shoulders trembling, eyes hollow, his jaw tightened.
"Mira," he called sharply. "What happened?"
Mira's face was flushed with anger, her fists clenched at her sides."You won't believe me even if I told you."
"Try me." His tone was firm, low, leaving no room for lies.
She hesitated—then whispered everything. Every word twisted deeper into Alec's chest until his grip on the glass nearly cracked it.
"She didn't slap her, did she?" His voice was calm, but his eyes blazed.
Mira shook her head immediately. "No. Celeste lied. Sana backed her up."
Alec exhaled slowly, but it was the kind of breath that came before a storm. His gaze shifted toward the hallway, where Celeste appeared at that exact moment—moving gracefully, her lips curled in a devilish smile hidden beneath innocence.
Why would Celeste lie… unless—
Alec's thoughts sharpened like knives.
Something's not right about her. And I'm going to find out.
Later in her room
Aira sat on the cold floor, knees pulled to her chest. Her hands trembled as she stared blankly at the wall. Her breathing was shallow, ragged.
They all hate me. Every single one of them… and now even the world does.
The door clicked shut softly. No one entered. No comfort came.
Only silence—and her breaking heart.