Merlin scoffed,her voice dripping with contempt."Justice?In this industry,power and influence are justice."
"Without us,you’re nothing.A nobody,just an irrelevant model."
"You have one hour to decide.If I don’t see a clarification post within that time,the consequences are all on you."
The call abruptly ended.Zoey spun around in panic,clutching my hand,worry filled her eyes."Winona,she sounded really serious."
"All your endorsements…they came through Stellar Media Group.If they pull out,you’re finished."
I patted her shoulder calmly,completely unshaken."Don’t worry.I saw this coming a long time ago."
An hour passed quickly,yet I hadn’t posted a single clarification.
Soon after,Michelle updated her Instagram.She lay in a hospital bed,her arm wrapped in bandages.The caption read,[I’m sorry for dragging Cillian into this.Everyone,please stop blaming him.Blame me if you must.]
In the photo,her eyes were red,tears streaking her cheeks.She looked fragile and pitiful.Just one post and the public opinion flipped instantly.
[Michelle is hospitalized due to cyberbullying.I think we all knew who's behind this.]
Her post went straight to the top of the trending list,and my Instagram was flooded with harsh comments.
[Winona,you heartless woman!You drove Michelle to the hospital.Don’t you have any conscience?]
[KingCillian,get a divorce already.She doesn’t deserve to be with you!]
[Winona,quit the entertainment industry!Stop ruining Cillian and Michelle's lives!]
***
Cillian’s call came immediately after,his voice seething with rage."Winona,Michelle’s in the hospital.Are you happy now?"
"If anything happens to her,I will never forgive you!"
I listened quietly to his shouting.When he finally paused,I spoke slowly,"Cillian,do you really think the whole world should revolve around you two?"
"She ends up in the hospital,and it’s my fault?And me—the wife you left alone on our wedding night—am I supposed to take all the blame?"
"And one more thing…Michelle should learn to fake being sick better next time.Her bandages are crooked.Did she really think the internet wouldn’t notice?"
On the other end,Michelle’s soft crying could be heard in the background.Cillian shouted something irrational,then hung up.
***
The next morning,calls started pouring in from the endorsement companies.They wanted to cancel my contracts,saying my public image no longer fit their brands.
Soon after,Stellar Media Group released a statement cutting all cooperation with me.
Zoey held the termination letter,her hands shaking."Winona,it’s over.Merlin is trying to destroy your career completely."
I glanced at the letter and smiled."Destroy me?She doesn’t have that kind of power yet."
Then,Cillian sent me a message,full of arrogance.[I gave you chances,Winona.Now get out of my house immediately.The divorce papers will be sent by my lawyer.]
I read the message and replied with just two simple words.[You go.]
Not long after,he stormed into the honeymoon suite with two bodyguards.
"Winona Easton!Don’t make me lose my patience!"
"This house belongs to the Morgan Family.You have no right to live here!"
I sat on the sofa and pointed to the property certificate on the coffee table."Cillian,maybe you should get your eyes checked."
"The certificate is in my name.It was a gift from my parents before our wedding.It has nothing to do with the Morgan Family."
He froze,clearly unaware of this fact.
Michelle peeked out from behind him,her eyes red."Forget it,Cillian,let’s go.Don’t make her angry."
Her soft,pitiful voice made my stomach churn.
Cillian turned to look at her,his gaze full of tenderness."Michelle,you’re just too kind."
Then he turned toward me,his eyes blazing with hatred."Winona,you’ll pay for what you have done.I’ll make sure you can never lift your head in this industry again!"
I stood up right and walked toward him,smiling at both of them.
"Sure.I’ll be waiting."
