When Lila opened her eyes, she wasn't in her room anymore. The walls were tall, windows stretching from floor to ceiling, revealing a city of glittering lights. A soft, unfamiliar fragrance filled the air, and her body… wasn't her own. She lifted her hands, staring in awe: slender fingers adorned with elegant rings, the smooth, toned arms of someone who had trained for years.
Lila stumbled to the mirror. The reflection staring back at her wasn't her quiet, bookish face—it was Liora Cade's. The fearless, magnetic woman she had spent countless hours admiring now looked back at her with sharp, alert eyes. Her heart pounded, a mixture of exhilaration and fear.
A tablet on the marble counter lit up with schedules, reminders, and urgent notifications. Interviews, appearances, and missions—all demanding immediate attention. The life she had only admired from afar now required her full participation. She inhaled deeply, attempting to ground herself. "I… can do this," she whispered, though her voice trembled.