Camera flashes burned her eyes, and the shouts, curses, and threats from the crowd—people she once thought were her fans—pressed down on her until she had no choice but to lower her head.
She hurried out of the company building, flanked by guards, toward a waiting car in the underground parking lot.
"Cancel her! Don't support her anymore!""We'll never buy her albums again!""She's ruined everything!""Cancel Liana!"
As Liana slid into the car, something wet came flying toward her. The guards slammed the door shut just in time, and the liquid splashed against the window instead. Her breath caught.
"Acid…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
The driver accelerated, weaving through the streets with practiced urgency. Liana leaned back against the seat, her hands trembling.
"Alex… take me somewhere quiet. Somewhere calm," she murmured.
The driver stiffened at her broken voice, then replied firmly yet gently, "Ma'am, the company gave clear orders. You're to go straight home."
Her chest rose and fell unevenly as she pressed her forehead against the cool glass, watching the city lights blur into the distance. Home might be safe, but this life felt suffocating. Every step, every smile, every breath—controlled by strangers who claimed to love her, yet turned on her in an instant.
When the car pulled up to her house, guards quickly surrounded her, forming a protective barrier. They guided her inside. But the moment she opened the door, her breath hitched.
The place was wrecked.
Shattered vases, the dining table split in half, the couch overturned—someone had been here.
"Who did this?" Liana demanded, stepping inside behind the guards.
Just then, the guard walking in front of her turned as if to say something—but froze mid-step.
Liana frowned. "Mark, what happened?"
When he stayed silent, she followed his gaze. The other guards did too. Above the main door, written in bold red letters, was a chilling message:
You think you're safe here? After you betrayed us and dated someone else? What made you think that? As much as we can love you, we can hate you even more.
Liana's breath caught. She stumbled back, her lips trembling as she read the words out loud.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Rio, the most senior among them, immediately called the CEO of her label. Meanwhile, the others guided Liana to a chair. She sat numbly, staring at the mess—until something in her snapped.
Liana suddenly shot up from the chair and rushed toward her bedroom. Two guards hurried after her.
Her room was in ruins. The bed torn apart, drawers ripped open, her huge portrait on the wall slashed and knocked down.
Ignoring the mess, she went straight to the painting. With shaking hands, she lifted the broken frame aside, revealing a small hidden locker behind it.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances but didn't dare stop her.
Her fingers trembled as she unlocked it. Inside were a few photos, a simple chain, and a notebook. Liana's shoulders dropped in relief. These things were untouched. She pressed the photo to her chest, trying to steady her racing, frightened heart.
Everything else in the house could be broken—but this small locker held the pieces of her real life, the things she treasured most.
Just then, Rio entered, clearing his throat. The others turned toward him as he said solemnly, "The boss has given orders. You need to leave town before things get worse. Somewhere far away."
The guards nodded in agreement.
Liana's fingers lingered on one photograph—a picture of two schoolgirls receiving medals, smiling in their uniforms. She traced the face of the girl with black hair and whispered, almost to herself:
"Let's go… to a small town. My hometown."
The night passed in a blur of packing and preparing. By dawn, she was sitting in the car, dressed in black, wearing a cap and a mask. As the vehicle sped along the highway, a small smile tugged at her lips. Her old phone had been replaced, and for the first time in days, she was leaving the exhausting idol life behind—even if just for a little while.
But it wasn't just the escape that made her smile. What made her heart flutter even more was the thought of returning to her hometown after four long years. Memories of that place came rushing back, and most of all, she thought of one person—the girl who had been her rival, her schoolmate, and maybe now, a grown woman with a family of her own.
"Ethilia," she whispered, the word escaped from her lips more like a prayer than a name.
Her driver glanced at her, frowning. "Ma'am? Did you say something?"
Liana shook her head, her eyes softening. "No, Alex. Just remembering an old… enemy."
Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "You already have many enemies, and still you are recalling an old one. Who is it?"
Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms. "Ethilia. My school rival."
"And where is she now?" Alex asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
The smile faded from Liana's face, replaced by a faint shadow of pain. "I don't know… maybe married to the guy she loved back then."
Alex noticed the change and wisely let the silence settle over the rest of the ride.
As the ride continued in silence, Liana drifted off. It was the first truly peaceful sleep she'd had since becoming famous—but it didn't last long. Alex gently woke her as they reached her hometown.
Her face lit up with a bright smile as she looked out the window. "The town has changed so much," she whispered.
Alex glanced at her. "I'm taking you to your house, okay?"
Liana shook her head. "I want to walk alone, Alex."
Alex frowned, his face serious. He wasn't just her driver—he was her bodyguard, her best friend. Liana knew how protective he was. She looked at him, and he shook his head. "Don't be stubborn, ma'am."
Liana sighed, then smirked, batting her eyelashes with a pout. "Please?" she said in a baby voice. "You can come too. I want to see my town."
Alex rubbed his forehead and finally nodded, slipping his hand to his gun. "Okay. But don't be reckless, alright?"
Liana grinned and opened the car door. "Come on, Alex. I'll show you around."
It was around noon. Liana led him past her old school, the little shop where she used to hang out with friends, and many other familiar spots.
She stopped at a roadside restaurant and ordered some food. Alex couldn't help but smile at how much she seemed to enjoy herself.
Sitting at a corner table, Liana hesitated to remove her mask. Alex frowned, concern in his voice. "What's wrong, ma'am?"
She glanced at him, biting her lip. "What if someone recognizes me? And you… you should call me Liana."
Alex nodded and pushed the food toward her. "Don't worry. I haven't seen a single poster or any of your music playing here. You can eat in peace."
Liana grinned and finally removed her mask, diving into her meal without a care for diet or appearance.
Alex chuckled and joined her. "You know? You're the first person I've seen genuinely happy that you aren't famous here."
Liana laughed with her mouth full, swallowing quickly before taking a sip of water. "Shut up and eat your lunch. Forget the diet—it's not worth it." Alex choked on his drink, laughing along with her. Their lunch passed smoothly.
As they finished, Liana flagged for the bill, making Alex laugh again.
"This isn't a five-star restaurant. We need to pay at the counter," he said, standing up.
"Yeah, yeah…" Liana followed, slipping her mask back on. Alex paid at the counter, and they stepped outside.
As they continued walking again, Liana commented, "I ate too much." She rubbed her stomach, "Did you eat well, Alex?"
"Yes, and the food was good," he smiled. Liana nodded, grinning as they walked and chatted.
Soon, they came in front of a daycare center. Liana's eyes lit up, and she pointed toward it. Before she could speak, Alex added, "You're not a kid anymore, Liana. Even if you're acting like one."
Liana gave him a side-eye and let out a small exhale, frustrated but amused. "I know, you fool. It's just… that's where I used to come when I was little." She hugged herself, smiling happily. "I was so chubby and cute." Alex laughed, earning a glare from her.
As they approached the daycare, both froze. Liana whispered, "You said no one hears my songs here?"
"I had no idea your songs for kids were popular here," Alex said, stepping inside. But a guard stopped them. "You can't go in."
Liana pouted behind her mask but didn't argue. Turning away, she started to walk—but a voice stopped her in her tracks. Before she even realized it, her body moved on its own.
Her breathing quickened, and her eyes widened. She clenched a fist, nails digging into her palm. Alex noticed her pause and followed her gaze.
A woman with a messy bun, holding a toddler, walked on the opposite side of the street.
Alex looked at her. "Liana… do you know her?"
Tears welled in Liana's eyes, but she gave a stiff nod. "Ethilia… that voice—it's hers."
Alex's eyes widened. Before he could speak, Liana grabbed his hand, her grip firm but shaking, and started moving toward Ethilia. "Let's follow her, Alex."
Alex hesitated. It was late, and they still needed to reach her house—but the emotion in Liana's voice and the urgency in her steps made him nod.