Scarlett's rage hit the inside of the trailer like a storm. Silk cushions had been hurled to the floor, makeup scattered across the marble counter.
Scarlett Vance was coiling in that cramped space like a cornered viper. Her face was streaked with mascara, her eyes red and raw from crying.
"That fat cow," she hissed, the words spilling from her mouth with a wild fury. "That plain, mediocre woman. She's nothing! How did she enchant Kyle?"
She lunged toward the mirror, glaring at her own reflection as if it were her enemy. Sculpted features worthy of a master artist, porcelain skin, honey-blonde hair glinting in the light, everything had gone according to plan.
So why was the outcome so wrong? Beauty had opened every door for her. Why not this one?
"I!" she screamed, jabbing a finger at her reflection. "I gave everything! Every piece of me!"
Tears welled in her eyes as the memory of that awful night surfaced. Kyle's luxurious apartment.
"Scarlett," he had said, his voice calm, almost weary. "Enough drama. We both know you don't excite me anymore."
"What?" It was all she could say. Her hands trembled; she wanted to scream, but no sound came out. That single word became the last cry from the wreckage of a broken heart.
Kyle had continued, "I don't love you. This was… comfortable. But not anymore."
And that was it. The begging, the tears, the storms of anger all in vain. Kyle walked out of her life and never looked back.
And now... now he was smiling at someone like Ellie Harper? Over a nobody's innocent laughter?
"I deserved that smile! I was always there, you bastard!" she shouted.
"NO!" Her scream echoed through the trailer. The porcelain coffee cup in her hand smashed against the wall, raining shards across the floor as dark stains spread over the wallpaper.
Panting, her trembling hands reached for her phone. Her fingers tapped furiously at the screen, flipping through old photos back to high school. And then she found it.
Lincoln High Graduation Photo – 2015
Dozens of smiling faces. But Scarlett saw only two.
Ellie Harper.
Back then she was slender, effortlessly radiant. Long, wavy brown hair gleamed in the sunlight, and her wide hazel eyes shimmered with hope. She was the adored, talented girl everyone admired—the undisputed star of the music club.
And just behind her, like a shadow…
Scarlett Vance.
Chubby, acne-marked, greasy hair pulled into a limp bun, ugly glasses framing a face she hated. The shapeless gray T-shirt she wore seemed to beg the world not to notice her. Invisible. A bullied nobody trying to survive in Ellie's shadow.
Her finger brushed over the face of that sad, younger girl on the screen. Memories flooded her mind like a storm.
Seventeen-year-old Scarlett hurried down the corridor, keeping her head down to avoid eye contact.
Then she bumped into someone.
"Watch it, fatso!" someone sneered. Laughter followed, sharp and cutting, stabbing her in the back.
She bit back tears, walking faster, wanting to disappear. But then a sound froze her in place.
"Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high…"
The voice was so pure, so beautiful that for a moment she forgot her pain. She crept toward the door, peeking inside.
Ellie Harper sat at the piano. Her fingers danced across the keys; every note that fell from her lips held the room captive. Everyone watched her, entranced. When the song ended, applause erupted.
Scarlett stood there, spellbound.
Envy and longing filled her chest. If only... she whispered. If only I could be like her.
But a shove from behind and a cruel voice "Move it, fat girl! You're blocking the light!" shattered her fragile dream. She ran, tears blurring her sight.
Graduation Night.
Ellie stood under the spotlight, accepting the award for Best Vocal Performance. The crowd was on its feet.
"Thank you!" Ellie said, eyes gleaming. "My dream is to see my name in Broadway lights someday. And I believe this is just the beginning! So, to all my friends believe in yourselves. Keep shining!"
Scarlett sat alone in the back row. Her chest ached not just from jealousy, but from the desperate ache to exist.
"I just want to be seen," she whispered shakily. "Just once... under the light."
That was where it all began.
That night, she stood before her mirror for hours, staring at the reflection of the fat, unloved, invisible girl.
"Enough," she finally said, her voice cracking but firm. "I'll change."
And she did.
Starvation just a few lettuce leaves a day, a handful of almonds. She learned to ignore the hunger growling inside her.
Endless hours in the gym, watching her muscles burn.
Even under the knife, nose, breasts, lips, chin. Each cut brought her closer to the stranger she wanted to become.
The worst was the eating disorder the secret ritual after every meal, the burn in her throat, the bitter acid in her mouth. The price of victory, she told herself.
Years turned her into someone unrecognizable on the outside. But deep down, the same hungry, terrified girl still lived.
A sharp jolt brought her back to the present. The memories were too heavy. She hurled her phone at the marble counter, cracking the glass screen. Rising to her feet, she faced her flawless reflection once more.
"I gave everything!" she sobbed. "Everything! And she... she got it all without ever suffering for it!"
Her fists clenched. Then slowly, the corners of her lips curved upward into a cold, poisonous smile.
"Ellie Harper… you don't remember me, do you?" she murmured. "But I remember you. Oh, I remember you perfectly. And now… now I'll show you what it truly means to be invisible."
She picked up her phone again, staring at Ellie's radiant smile in the photo.
"This time," she whispered, her voice dripping with sweet menace, "I'm the one who wins."
Malibu Beach Restaurant – 7:30 PM
The day's fatigue melted away in the cool sea breeze and the golden-pink glow of the evening. The entire crew was gathered on the restaurant's spacious terrace for a casual dinner against the soothing murmur of the waves. Ellie was still trembling with the excitement of the day. Sitting between Max and Nina, she was sharing warm smiles with everyone.
David stood and raised his glass. "What a fantastic first day, everyone! And let's give a special round of applause for our new star, Ellie! Her natural talent has captivated us all!"
A lively round of applause erupted. Ellie's cheeks flushed as she lowered her head. "Thank you. This feels like a dream come true for me. I'm sure I'll make mistakes, so I apologize in advance. I hope you'll guide and support me."
"Of course, darling! So, how about we crown this dream with a glass of champagne?" Max jumped in. "Do you drink, Ellie?"
Ellie chuckled softly. "Occasionally. But my real passion… is creating drink combinations."
Nina raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? Cocktails and stuff?"
"Yes," Ellie said, her eyes sparkling. "My grandmother taught me. Classic cocktails, wine pairings… it was everything to me." She paused for a moment, her eyes glistening as a soft sigh escaped her lips. "Without her, I'd be missing so much, but I learned a lot thanks to her."
David, impressed by Ellie's heartfelt confession and her culinary passion, smiled. "Then let's give you an official invitation to show us your talent! Waiter, may we move to the bar?"
The suggestion immediately captured everyone's attention. Ellie moved to the bar and exchanged a brief word with the bartender. When the ingredients were laid out before her, she began working with the precision and grace of an artist. The way she shook the ice cubes, the rhythm in her wrist as she moved the shaker, the delicate touch of a lemon slice along the rim… each motion was a display of mastery.
"A drink is like a soul!" she called out to the group, hands busy. "A language of love. Sometimes anger, sometimes worry…"
"And sometimes, just a safe harbor," James interjected.
Ellie's gaze instantly turned to him, startled. Those words were something her grandmother would have said.
And in James' eyes, a memory from the past flashed Ellie Harper, with her hair tied on both sides, wearing a polka-dot dress, and that childlike smile.
Ellie froze, staring into James' eyes. Then she smiled and carefully served the cocktails. The moment Nina took a sip, her eyes widened. "Oh my God! Ellie, this is incredible!"
Marcus clapped enthusiastically. "Not only an actress but also an artist! My God, you've bewitched me!"
James, seated with arms folded, watched her with a proud smile.
The genuine smiles on everyone's faces gave Ellie a sense of being on top of the world. Until…
"Wow, Ellie," a voice rang out. Sweet as honey, yet laced with a venomous undertone. Scarlett appeared like a shadow beside their table, her usual flawless, artificial smile in place. "So you love cooking too? How… marvelous."
Ellie froze. Scarlett's tone made the word "marvelous" sound like an insult.
"Yes," Ellie replied, her voice slightly subdued. "I enjoy culinary arts."
Scarlett's smile widened, but her eyes sharpened like a predator's. "Lucky you. I never liked eating, actually. Gaining weight is far too easy, isn't it?" Her gaze deliberately lingered over Ellie's body. "But you… you seem so relaxed. You're not worried, are you?"
Silence fell. The warmth in the air plummeted. Ellie felt herself shrink under Scarlett's stare.
But Scarlett quickly restored her lightning-fast smile. "I'm joking, sweetie! You're wonderful!" she said, tapping Ellie's shoulder as if nothing had happened and walked away.
Ellie remained frozen, feeling the chill Scarlett had left behind. That shadowy, overbearing aura clung to her again.
James watched from a distance. He had seen Scarlett's poisonous dart land squarely on Ellie. His fists clenched at his sides.
Then, the fire blazing in his eyes slowly turned toward Scarlett, who was seated at the table.
At that moment, Scarlett looked directly at James and she saw it.
James' usually calm, even indifferent eyes now burned with a clear, personal threat. So sharp, so dark, so intimate that Scarlett's artificial smile vanished instantly. A shiver ran through her, freezing her from the inside out. She quickly averted her gaze, her heart hammering.
At a distant table, two technicians whispered as they watched the scene.
"Oh my God… did you see James' eyes?"
"Yeah… it was almost… demonic."
"Scarlett made a huge mistake messing with him. Being James Valentine's enemy… that would be your last mistake."
"Exactly. Ellie is officially 'the Devil's Woman' now; messing with her was a mistake."
At that moment, movement occurred at the entrance of the restaurant.
Kyle rushed in, breathless. The day's fatigue clung to him, but none of his famous charm had diminished. "Sorry, everyone! I got stuck in an endless meeting!"
David waved his hand. "No worries, Kyle, come on over!"
Scarlett immediately saw an opportunity and pointed to the empty chair beside her. "Kyle! There's a seat here!" she called, her voice brimming with feigned cheerfulness.
But Kyle didn't even glance at her.
He walked straight to Ellie's table, gently touching the shoulder of the young technician beside her.
"Sorry," Kyle said, with that famous smile. "If I'm not disturbing you, may I sit next to my girlfriend?"
Ellie's face instantly blazed. She was breathless. The technician jumped up immediately.
"Of course, Kyle! Absolutely!"
Then, in an unexpected move, the technician went straight to the empty chair next to Scarlett. "Hey, Scarlett! Mind if I sit here?" he asked, casually cheerful.
Scarlett's mask slipped instantly. Her face twisted with a mix of anger and humiliation. Grumbling, she slid her chair an inch to the side. "You're already sitting," she muttered, her voice icy.
Kyle settled beside Ellie. His arm brushed her waist as he leaned close, his eyes warm and sincere. "Could you make me one of your magical drinks? I came to the restaurant when everyone was cheering for you… but then my phone rang, and I had to step out again," he said with a smile. His face was so close that his warm breath nearly caressed hers.
Ellie, heart pounding, swallowed and stammered, "O-Of course."
Kyle surveyed the wines on the table. "What do you recommend, chef?"
Shaking off the lingering negative energy, Ellie brightened. "Since we had fish, definitely a white wine. But it should be light and refreshing. This Sauvignon Blanc would be perfect." She picked up the bottle and poured Kyle's glass with natural, expert movements.
Kyle looked at her with admiration. "Wow. You know your wines too."
"My grandmother," Ellie explained, with a shy smile. "Without her, I… I wouldn't be here today."
Kyle's admiration deepened. He gently touched Ellie's hand. "You're truly enchanting, Ellie Harper," he said, looking into her eyes.
David, watching, laughed heartily. "Wow! Not enough on set, now the fire of love is burning here too! Our viewers are so lucky!"
Everyone laughed and nodded in agreement. But an unexpected scene was unfolding. In the shaded corner of the terrace…
James' face had frozen like a statue.
He watched Kyle touch Ellie's hand, the shy joy on her face. And for the first time, his always-controlled "devilish" smile was replaced by pure, unadulterated jealousy and anger. His fists were so tightly clenched his knuckles turned white. His jaw was tense, eyes glued to Ellie and Kyle.
Simone quietly approached. "James? Are you okay?" she whispered.
James didn't respond. He only continued watching, his eyes burning quietly.
Then, suddenly, he sprang to his feet. His chair screeched as it slid back. All eyes turned to him.
"I…" he said, his voice unusually tense and hoarse. "I'm… going outside… for a cigarette."
Ellie looked at him, noticing the change in his expression. Deep down, she sensed there was a reason behind James' sudden departure.
James… what's wrong? she called silently, but James didn't hear her. Without looking at anyone, he left the terrace with a cold, unreadable expression.
Ellie stared into the darkness in the direction he had gone. In her chest, a new, complex feeling had surfaced, preventing her from fully enjoying the warmth and triumph of the moment.
Kyle's hand was still on hers, but her mind was lost, searching for the wounded devil in the dark corner.