The city didn't sleep.
Not when her face was everywhere.
Screens lit up the night — buildings, billboards, phones —
All with one name.
Aven Ray.
Perfect smile. Perfect image. Untouchable.
"Hello everyone," Aven said, her voice smooth, practiced. "Miss me?"
Hearts flooded the screen.
Comments moved too fast to read.
She tilted her head slightly, smiling like she always did.
"Of course you did."
Hours later-
The lights were off.
The smile was gone.
Aven stepped out of her room, heels quiet against the floor.
The apartment was silent.
Except-
He was there.
Leaning against the kitchen counter.
Rowan Blake.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then-
"Welcome," she said.
Casual.
Like this wasn't strange.
Like this wasn't broken.
Rowan inhaled slightly-almost like the word caught him off guard.
"...Yeah."
Silence stretched.
Not empty.
Heavy.
Aven looked away first.
"I'm going out," she said. "I have work."
A pause.
Then a small nod from him.
"Okay."
And that was it.
No questions.
No stopping her.
No anything.
Aven paused for a second after stepping out of the house.
The door closed behind her with a quiet click.
She didn't look back.
Outside, the car was already waiting.
Vera stood beside it, tablet in hand, alert as always.
Aven walked straight past her and got in.
"Did you cancel all the shoots for tomorrow?" she asked, leaning back against the seat.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good."
The car started moving.
City lights flickered past the window, reflecting faintly in her eyes.
Vera hesitated before speaking again.
"...Are you seriously going through with the divorce?"
Aven didn't look at her.
"I have a lot of things to deal with."
"I'm just saying... maybe you both should think again-" Vera said.
A pause.
Then-
"We don't need to think twice."
Silence filled the car after that.
Vera nodded slowly. "...Alright."
She glanced at her tablet.
"There's someone who wants to meet you. Should I send them once we reach the office?"
"If they're important."
The car stopped in front of the building.
Flashes.
Cameras.
Voices calling her name.
Aven stepped out like she always did-calm, untouchable, effortless.
Not a single hint of what was actually going on.
Inside, everything was quiet again.
Controlled.
Her space.
A few minutes later, Vera knocked lightly before opening the door.
"She's here."
"Send her in."
The girl walked in.
Aven looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"Who are you?"
"You really get straight to the point," the girl said. "Let's skip that. I have something for you."
"For me?" Aven leaned back slightly. "Are you a director?"
"No."
"Model agency?"
"No."
"Paparazzi?"
"No."
Aven exhaled, clearly annoyed.
"Then how did Vera let you in?"
"Let me explain-"
"You can't offer me anything if you're no one important."
The girl's expression shifted.
"You really think money can solve everything?"
A small chuckle escaped Aven.
"People who say money can't solve problems... just don't have enough of it."
Silence.
Cold.
Sharp.
"Now leave," Aven said. "Before I call security."
The girl didn't argue.
She just looked at her for a moment-
Then turned and walked out.
Vera entered almost immediately after.
"She was crying. What did you say?"
"Nothing," Aven replied. "And how did you even let her in?"
"She said she was a reporter."
Aven's eyes widened slightly.
"...What?"
"I think you messed up." Vera said.
"Fix it," Aven said, her voice turning cold. "If anything happens, you handle it."
"...Okay."
The next day was calm… too calm for something that was going to break everything.
The courtroom was almost empty.
Too quiet for something that was supposed to end a marriage.
Aven sat straight, legs crossed, expression calm-like this was just another formal meeting.
Rowan stood beside her.
Not close.
Not far.
Just... distant.
The lawyer adjusted the file.
"You both understand the terms of the divorce?"
"Yes," Aven answered immediately.
A slight pause.
"...Yes," Rowan followed.
"Any objections?"
"No."
"No."
The lawyer glanced between them.
"Final confirmation. Once signed, this marriage will be legally dissolved."
Silence.
A few seconds too long.
Aven reached for the pen first.
No hesitation.
No shaking.
She signed.
Clean.
Precise.
Like it meant nothing.
She placed the pen down and slid it slightly toward him.
Rowan looked at the paper.
Then at her.
She didn't look back.
"...You're sure?" he asked quietly.
Not loud.
Not emotional.
Just... real.
Aven let out a small breath.
"If you're going to ask that now," she said, "then we shouldn't have come here."
That hit.
But he didn't react much.
Just a small nod.
"...Right."
He picked up the pen.
Signed.
Slower than her.
The lawyer collected the papers.
"It's done."
Done.
Such a simple word.
For something that wasn't simple at all.
Aven stood up first.
"Take care," she said.
Polite.
Distant.
Like talking to a stranger.
Rowan almost smiled.
Almost.
"You too."
She turned.
Started walking.
"Aven."
She stopped.
Didn't turn around.
"...What?"
A pause.
Like he had something to say.
Something important.
Something that could've changed everything.
But-
"...Nothing."
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Just for a second.
Then relaxed.
"Yeah," she said quietly. "That sounds about right."
And this time-
She didn't stop again.
The courthouse doors opened.
Cold air hit her face.
Aven stepped out first, heels echoing against the stone steps.
Reporters were waiting-but at a distance.
Controlled.
Managed.
Just like everything else in her life.
Rowan walked out a few seconds later.
Neither of them looked at each other.
Not anymore.
"Ma'am, the car is ready-"
Vera's voice stopped mid-sentence.
Because-
A small girl walked up to Aven.
No one noticed where she came from.
She just... appeared.
Aven looked down, slightly confused.
"What happened, sweetie?"
The girl held out a book.
"Can you take this?"
Aven blinked.
"You want an autograph?"
The girl shook her head.
"No."
Aven raised an eyebrow.
"...No?"
"I want you to read it."
For a second, Aven just stared at her.
Then, with a small sigh, she took the book.
"Alright."
She glanced down at the cover-
And her expression shifted.
Just slightly.
The title.
It wasn't normal.
It felt...
Familiar.
Before she could say anything-
The girl spoke again.
"Both of you should read it."
Aven froze.
Slowly-
She looked up.
"...What?"
But the girl was already stepping back.
Smiling.
Not like a child.
Not soft.
Something about it felt...
wrong.
A sudden gust of wind passed.
The pages of the book flipped open on their own.
Fast.
Sharp.
Uncontrolled.
Vera frowned. "What is that-?"
The air changed.
Heavy.
Distorted.
Aven tightened her grip on the book.
"Rowan-"
Too late.
The words on the pages began to move.
Not printed.
Not still.
Moving.
And then-
Everything went dark.
Darkness stretched.
Silence.
Then-
A sharp inhale.
Aven's eyes snapped open.
She sat up immediately-
-and froze.
Her clothes.
Rough fabric. Plain. Tight at the wrists.
A maid's uniform.
"What the hell...?" she muttered, pulling at the sleeves. "What am I wearing? And why?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"I told Vera to cancel all my shoots today... I'm going to fire her."
She looked up.
And paused.
A palace.
Massive ceilings. Polished floors. Sunlight pouring through tall windows.
Everything looked... real.
Too real.
Aven slowly stood.
"...What kind of set is this?" she murmured. "Impressive."
Footsteps.
Someone approached from behind.
"You should focus on your work," a girl said sharply, "instead of wandering around."
Aven turned.
Slowly.
Dangerously.
"Say that again," Aven said. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"
The girl frowned.
"Elara."
Aven blinked.
"...What?"
"You are Elara." Girl said.
Aven looked around, then pointed at herself.
"Me?"
A short laugh escaped her.
"Oh-I get it. That's my character name, right?"
"No," the girl replied flatly. "That's your real name."
Silence.
Aven stared at her.
"...Are you serious right now?"
She crossed her arms.
"Where am I?"
"The Kingdom of Elarion."
Aven blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"...Okay," she said slowly. "This is a prank."
She nodded to herself.
"Yeah. It has to be."
She stepped closer, studying the girl.
"You're actually pretty good," Aven said. "I'd love to work with you."
The girl looked confused.
"...Work?"
"You're really into your role," Aven continued, impressed. "I like that. Dedication is rare."
Before the girl could respond-
A stronger voice cut in.
"Enough."
Both turned.
A woman approached-older, strict, sharp eyes.
The head maid.
"Focus on your duties, Elara."
Aven didn't even look at her.
She kept talking to the girl.
The head maid stepped closer.
Her voice dropped.
"Are you ignoring me?"
Now Aven turned.
Slowly.
Annoyed.
"...What?"