Scarlett's phone rang. A shrill, jarring sound that made her stomach twist. She knew—before even looking—who it was.
Jackson's hand found hers. "It's her," he said, jaw tight. "Madison's next move. Brace yourself."
Scarlett swallowed hard, chest tightening. "How bad is it this time?"
Jackson didn't answer. He only guided her toward the window. Outside, the city glittered, oblivious. Inside, Scarlett felt like the walls were closing in.
A new notification flashed: Live now — secrets revealed.
Her blood ran cold. Madison had gone further than ever before.
The live began. Madison's face appeared, flawless and smug, but behind her, something caught Scarlett's attention: a familiar figure standing in the shadows of Madison's apartment.
Her heart stopped. "No… it can't be."
Jackson's eyes narrowed. "Who is that?"
Scarlett shook, disbelief etched across her face. "It's… my best friend. Lila."
The betrayal hit like a fist. Lila, someone Scarlett trusted above all, was standing beside Madison, smiling cruelly.
Jackson's hand tightened around hers. "She's the mole. Feeding Madison everything."
Scarlett's throat went dry. "Why?" she whispered, disbelief and fury colliding.
Madison leaned closer to the camera, voice silk over venom. "You thought you could hide your secrets, Scarlett. But it turns out your best friend… didn't want you to succeed."
Comments exploded instantly:
WHAT?! Lila betrayed her?!
I can't believe this!
Jackson, she can't be trusted either!
Scarlett felt her vision blur. Betrayal, fear, and rage warred with the heat surging through her.
Jackson pulled her close. "Look at me," he demanded. "Focus. We survive this. Together."
Scarlett obeyed, but her hands shook. Lila's face appeared on-screen again, whispering something to Madison Scarlett couldn't hear—but the implication was clear: her secrets were no longer private.
Madison's live escalated. She had prepared another video.
This one was devastating: Scarlett alone, emotionally vulnerable, speaking about her desire for Jackson. Every word twisted into fuel for Madison's narrative.
Scarlett's chest tightened. She wanted to scream. She wanted to run. But Jackson pressed a finger to her lips, commanding her attention.
"We fight fire with fire. Now," he whispered.
Together, they crafted a daring counter-plan, live and unfiltered.
Scarlett leaned into Jackson as they started. Every glance, every subtle brush of his hand, was electric. SE tension was unbearable, readers' hearts pounding in every paragraph.
They turned Madison's story on its head: revealing Lila's betrayal, showing their courage, highlighting their emotional depth and passion. The comments flipped—viewers now rooting for Scarlett, craving every intimate moment she shared with Jackson.
Then came the twist no one expected.
Mid-broadcast, a third figure appeared behind Lila in Madison's feed. A stranger—masked, tall, moving silently. Madison froze for a split second, and Scarlett's breath caught.
Jackson's grip on her tightened. "Who…?" he muttered.
The figure lunged at Madison's laptop, smashing it to the floor. The live abruptly ended.
Silence.
Scarlett and Jackson stared at each other, hearts hammering. "What just happened?" Scarlett whispered, body trembling from fear and exhilaration.
Jackson's eyes were dark, dangerous. "That… was not Madison's move anymore. Someone just changed the game."
Scarlett's mind spun. Who had intervened? Why? And what did this mean for the battle against Madison?
Her phone buzzed again. A message appeared—no name, just words:
"You think you're safe now? The real game has only just begun. —A Friend… or a Foe?"
Scarlett looked at Jackson, shaking. "What… what does this mean?"
He pulled her close, forehead to hers. "It means… nothing is as it seems. And now… we're in deeper than ever."
Her pulse raced. Desire, fear, and anticipation mingled. Every nerve was on fire.
The city lights outside glittered innocently, but inside Scarlett felt the world was ending—and beginning—all at once.
Madison's defeat had been temporary. Lila's betrayal stung. And the mysterious figure's intervention meant one thing: the ultimate twist was far from over.
Jackson kissed her temple, his breath hot. "We survive. We fight. And we… live dangerously. Together."
Scarlett's hands trembled, heart pounding. "I… I'm ready."
Then, a shadow moved across the loft window. Scarlett froze.
And in that instant, a loud crash echoed from the rooftop behind them.
Jackson's eyes widened. "She's here. Or… someone else."
Scarlett's breath caught.
The final words hung in the air like lightning:
"The game isn't over. It's only just begun."