The morning Julia’s world collapses—again—it begins with a headline.
Her phone buzzes nonstop, vibrating against the kitchen counter like a trapped animal. She reaches for it, expecting something small, something survivable. Instead, the headline hits her like a slap.
JULIA BAILEY: THE GIRL WHO CLIMBED THE HEIR FOR FAME—AND FELL.
Her breath shatters. The article unfurls like poison: anonymous sources, distorted facts, doctored photos. Every sentence twists the truth into something unrecognizable.
“Brandon…” Her voice cracks, barely a whisper. “He did this again.”
Before the fear can swallow her whole, Brandon bursts into the room, phone in hand, eyes blazing. “It’s him,” he growls. “This is my father’s hand. Every angle. Every word.”
Julia feels her knees weaken, but he catches her s
