Chapter 2

"I’ve already had a word with her. Anyway, you’ve always been so understanding, you won't hold it against her, right? Just tell me what gift you want, anything, as my apology for her."

Julian returned quickly, taking the soup bowl naturally to feed me, but his words were all for Chloe.

I forced a smile.

They’d issued a 'critical condition' notice, for God's sake, and he expected me to be 'magnanimous'?

"No need to make her feel bad, and no need for you to apologize."

Julian immediately brightened. "Oh, I have to tell her! Chloe’s been so wracked with guilt since your accident, she hasn’t eaten a thing. She’s lost weight."

I looked into his eyes, eyes that once held only me.

He’d told me about his new protégée, Chloe, who resembled his late sister, taken too soon. He’d poured all his unresolved grief and protectiveness into her.

I wanted to protect his solace, so I gave way, again and again. I just didn't know at what point things went so wrong, leading us to this.

Julian continued typing away, oblivious, his SnapChat avatar a photo of him and Chloe.

Looking at him now, I felt sick. I found an excuse to send him away.

Julian left happily, not even bothering to pick me up when I was discharged.

Scrolling through my feed on the couch, I saw it—the conference video, twisted and vile, with doctored images of me plastered everywhere, fueling the most disgusting jokes.

My fingertips trembled as I scrolled past the vile comments, blood rushing to my head.

It was like the ghost of my younger self, Eleanor, was screaming at me: "Are you really going to just takethis?"

I slammed my phone down, my nails digging into my palms.

Silence? Tolerance?

Never again.

I opened Ins, my fingers flying across the keyboard.

"The so-called 'private video' is an absolute fabrication! I strongly condemn this hacker attack and will pursue all legal remedies!"

I paused, then typed his name.

"Furthermore, I demand answers from @JulianInc_CyberSecurityOfficer. How exactly has your company's system security become so utterly useless? Or is someone acting with malicious intent?"

Seconds after I hit 'post,' my phone exploded with calls, ringing like a death knell.

I stared at "Julian" flashing on the screen, took a deep breath, and answered.

"The company's stock just dropped three points because of your post," his voice was laced with fury. "Family business stays in the family. Do I need to teach you that?"

"Family business?" I almost laughed. "Julian, this is a crime! I'm not the one acting out here!"

"Chloe’s already promised to stop. Can’t you just let it go? Do you really have to make this public knowledge?"

"Our PR team will issue a statement saying your account was hacked. Understand?"

He hung up, adding one last thing: "Don't cause any more trouble for a while. Avoid the press."

I listened to the dial tone, my heart aching.

He used to hold meon a pedestal.

We’d been cyber prodigies, equals from childhood. But Julian had grand visions of an empire, a 'champion' to build it. So, I stepped back, deliberately creating openings, handing him the crown I could have worn.

His eyes shone back then. I thought that was ourfuture.

Now, he sat on his throne, basking in the spotlight, seemingly having forgotten the one who stood beside him, who even gave upher own glory for him.

True feelings truly are fleeting.