Elara had just stepped out of the business building when she saw the sleek black car parked near the sidewalk.

She didn’t think much of it—until the back door opened.

Selena Park.

The A-list star stepped out dressed like a spread from a luxury magazine: oversized sunglasses, tailored cream coat, heels that clicked like punctuation on the pavement.

“Elara Voss?”

Elara’s spine stiffened. “Yes?”

Selena lowered her sunglasses just enough to make eye contact.

“I thought it was time we met.” She smiled—polished, but hollow. “I’m Selena Park. You might have seen me on TV.”

“I have.” Elara kept her expression neutral.

Selena stepped closer, inspecting her like a mystery to be solved. “You and I are very different, Miss Voss. I don’t blame you for catching his attention… Curiosity is natural when someone steps out of their world.”

“If this is about Cassian—”

“It is.” Selena’s voice cut in like a knife. “And I’m just here to tell you that this… whatever this is… will end.”

Elara exhaled slowly, eyes cool. “You’re right.”

That seemed to throw Selena off.

“In fact,” Elara continued, “you shouldn’t waste your energy. Cassian already has a fiancée. His mother said so herself.”

Selena blinked.

The blow landed—right where Elara intended.

“You're welcome to go back and ask her,” Elara added, tone calm. “I’m sure you’ll get your answer.”

And with that, she walked away, not giving Selena another glance. Her pulse thudded hard in her ears, but her steps never faltered.

It wasn’t a lie—not completely. His family had presented someone. Whether Cassian agreed or not, the damage was done.

Let Selena chase the illusion.

Elara was done being part of it.

---

(Selena’s POV)

Earlier that morning…

The agency was chaos.

Her name was trending—again—but this time it wasn’t about her new drama, or a fashion show appearance. It was tied to Cassian Rhys.

Because of one comment.

One blurry photo.

A clip circulating online—Elara’s name whispered in forums, her image leaked in chat groups. Not viral yet, but dangerously close.

Selena stared at the grainy image of Cassian outside a campus building.

He was meeting her. Again.

Not just a passing crush. This was deeper. Quiet. Secret.

Unacceptable.

Selena clenched her jaw, crossing her legs as her PR manager droned on about “controlling the narrative.” But she wasn’t listening anymore.

Her fingers danced across the tablet, pulling up the name she’d saved from the investigator’s report.

Elara Voss.

She wouldn’t wait for Cassian to get bored or move on. She had seen too many celebrities spiral when someone from “the ordinary world” latched on and ruined everything.

It wasn’t jealousy—it was protection.

The brand mattered. His career mattered.

Their future mattered.

So she made the call.

And now, stepping out of her car in front of Elara Voss, she was sure she’d handle it in one conversation.

What she didn’t expect was that response—so calm. So unaffected.

Cassian had a fiancée?

Selena’s breath caught.

Was that true?

Or was it a clever lie to throw her off?

Either way, Elara didn’t seem threatened. That unnerved her.

She climbed back into the car, silent as the door shut behind her.

Cassian was hiding something. That much was obvious.

And if his family was involved… she needed to dig deeper.

Not through tabloids. Not through gossip.

She’d find out the truth her own way.

And if Elara thought she could step out of this quietly?

She was sorely mistaken.