Alexei knew: Maxim was not the type to back down.

— Come in, since you’ve come, — he invited the uninvited guest with a restrained gesture.

As soon as the door closed, a palpable tension arose in the room, sharp as an electric charge. For a while, the men exchanged silent glances.

— Want a drink? — Alexei broke the silence.

— I didn’t come here to drink with you. I need answers. And I won’t repeat myself.

— I know.

Two strong, tall men stood on the threshold of a personal war born of the secret past between Alina and Alexei. Maxim looked at him intently, his usually gentle gaze burning with undisguised, almost scorching fury. But Alexei did not rush. Behind the mask of cold indifference, a rapid, tumultuous analysis of the situation was underway. Losing a friend was unbearable, but he could no longer hide the truth about Alina, about the past that bound them.

— What the hell, Lyosha, — Maxim couldn’t hold back, breaking the oppressive silence again. — We’ve known each other for almost ten years! You’ve never been so emotional! What is going on?

— Before I answer, I also have questions. How long have you known Alina?

— Almost two years.

— You’ve been in a relationship for two years? — Alexei was surprised.

— No. I’ve been trying to win her over for two years. We started dating a couple of months ago.

— And you immediately decided to marry her?

— I already told you I’ve known Alina for two years. That’s enough for me.

— But apparently not enough to tell the truth about yourself. Were you afraid she’d bleed you dry for money?

— No. I couldn’t. Alina avoids rich men. Maybe it’s because of her stepfather. He’s a gambler, he’s put the family deep in debt. And he owes money to wealthy crime bosses. And you know how they treat debtors and their families.

— Funny.

— What’s funny about that?

— The fact that I know her from a completely different perspective. And she certainly didn’t avoid rich men. Quite the opposite, in fact...

— Then what the hell connects you to Alina? And what were you doing with her in the makeup room?

— Talking about our past.

— Aboutyourpast? — bewilderment softened Maxim’s anger.

In response, Alexei silently poured himself a whiskey and drained the glass in one gulp. For the first time, it was so agonizingly difficult for him to restrain his own anger and hidden indignation.

— Yes, Maxim, about the past. And it only surfaced because of you. You dragged me into your silly game, Max. And your girlfriend... she’s not who she pretends to be.

Maxim raised an eyebrow mockingly.

— Oh really? And what do you know about her that I don’t?

— Remember I told you about the girl I’ve been looking for for five years? Well, Alina is that girl.

Maxim was ready for any news except this. Such a turn of events drove him into an absolute corner. He knew his friend’s story well, but had never met his vanished fiancée personally. During that period, he was abroad, building his company. The fact that his Alina would turn out to be the “runaway” fiancée was an incredible blow. Maxim also felt like drinking. Pouring himself half a glass of whiskey, he finished it in one go.

— Five years ago, when I temporarily left the country, Alina came to my mother. She knew that Mom was against our wedding. Taking advantage of her dislike, Alina demanded a large sum of money in exchange for disappearing from my life forever. She sold our love, Max, for money.

Maxim’s face didn’t flinch. He knew Alina: she was definitely not a fortune hunter or after rich men.

— A lie. She’s not like that.

— Enough! — Alexei’s fist slammed down on the table. — You are blinded! Just as I was blinded by her five years ago! Maybe she doesn’t know who you are, but she’s definitely using you! She came here for money! You’re just her ticket!

— Alexei! She doesn’t know who I am! But you know perfectly well! I am one of the sponsors of this project, — Maxim’s voice acquired a dangerous, steely calm. — I invested a large part of my funds here through third-party companies so that you, my friend, could help me. I love her. I wanted to use the show to help Alina cover the debt, marry her, and then reveal that I’m not some poor lecturer, but the owner of a holding company. But you... you’re trying to ruin everything. If I had known about your past earlier, I would never have brought Alina to this show.

Alexei squinted.

— It’s too late for regrets. The show has started and must continue.

Maxim understood Alexei’s point. He couldn’t reveal his identity to Alina now. In her eyes, he would become a deceiver who dragged her onto the project to force her into marriage. And although that was the honest truth, it worked against him. It would be different after the wedding, when Alina would have no choice but to accept the truth and stay with him. He had to play to the end. But Alexei, instead of an assistant, had turned into an obstacle threatening the entire plan.

— Alina is my future wife, Lyosha. Whether you like it or not. What happened between you in the past is irrelevant. You’re angry at Alina, that’s obvious. However, whatever misunderstanding there was between you before, you have no right to interfere in our relationship. Five years have passed. Alina is with me now. Accept that as a fact and stop pursuing my fiancée, or I won’t be so amiable with you anymore.

— Are you threatening me?

— I’m warning you. I love Alina. And she will be only mine.

The men exchanged a long, icy look. Two former friends became enemies. The film set had now turned into their battlefield.

In the control room, holding her breath, Karina stood alone. Through the monitor screens, she watched the argument between Maxim and Alexei. As the men aired their grievances, they didn’t suspect that they were under the scrutiny of hidden cameras that Karina had secretly ordered to be installed in Alexei’s room. Her lips stretched into a thin, predatory smile. Maxim turned out to be rich, resolute, and, most importantly, in love with Alina. The perfect ally to eliminate her rival.

Karina exited the control room and headed towards Maxim’s room. If you can’t eliminate a rival—marry her off. That was what she intended to do. Waiting for Maxim, she blocked his path. She didn’t beat around the bush, immediately stating the purpose of her visit.

— Maxim, we’ve both been betrayed, haven’t we?

— I don’t understand what you mean.

— I mean that Alexei is blinded by revenge. I know everything about you, about Alina, about her secret past with Lyosha. He won’t let Alina be happy after she abandoned him. His wounded male ego won’t let you be together.

— What do you want?

— Don’t worry. I don’t wish you harm. I want to help. Lyosha is guided by emotions and can’t think clearly. His actions are harming the project. And they are harming your plans. But I want the show to go on, and for you and Alina to win. You’ll get her. I’ll get Alexei. We’re in the same boat.

Maxim looked at Karina with deep suspicion, but then nodded. He needed help in this game, and she needed a weapon.

The next morning at the breakfast table, gossip about the previous day’s filming halt was boiling. Alina sat next to Maxim, trying her best to maintain her composure, but her skin burned with the memory of Alexei’s kisses. She felt an acute sense of guilt toward Maxim, not daring to look him in the eye. The atmosphere was tense. All eyes were fixed on Alina and Maxim, and the participants’ voices were loud, as if delivering a verdict. Eva sat opposite them, gracefully sipping juice and keeping the conversation going so that everyone could hear her.

— Didn’t anyone notice how our “most sincere” couple was upset about the halt yesterday? — Eva cast a predatory, clinging glance at Alina, smiling at her fake partner, Vladimir. — Maxim, weren’t your efforts enough? The scene was so... wet.

Maxim tensed, his hand gripping Alina’s tighter.

— We were also upset that we couldn’t finish the declaration, — he replied calmly. — I wanted Alina to hear how much I love her.

— Yes, yes, of course, — Eva drawled, demonstratively rolling her eyes. — Alina, you seemed to be in makeup for too long. What was Alexei Sergeevich fixing for you for so long? Maybe your lipstick? He had a little smudge of it yesterday, by the way.

Maxim found this incredibly unpleasant to hear. He instinctively felt Alina tense up next to him, and his grip on her hand tightened—whether to support or restrain her.

A quiet, yet vicious, chuckle rippled through the table. Alina felt her cheeks flush. She winced with shame and lowered her head, afraid Maxim would see her confusion.

— Don’t invent nonsense, Eva, — Alina retorted sharply, trying not to raise her voice. — I was just following the producer’s instructions. Everyone knows you have to look impeccable on camera.

— Yes, yes, of course. “Impeccable,” — Eva sighed feigning concern, addressing her neighbor. — But Alina... you know, everyone saw the way Alexei Sergeevich looked at you. It was too personal for a producer who’s merely concerned with picture quality.

Then Eva leaned closer and, lowering her voice to a whisper that was audible throughout the room, said:

— Or maybe you and Maxim aren’t a real couple at all? You gave in so easily to that “technical pause.” True love would fight! Or... do you just know Alexei Sergeevich better than we think?

Maxim slammed his hand on the table loudly.

— You are crossing the line! — his voice broke, making everyone jump.

— Look at them! Such vulnerability! Real lovers would never allow someone else to separate them so easily. This only proves that their story is just a game.

— That’s not true! I love Alina! And I need no one but her, and I will prove it.

The conflict was interrupted by the appearance of Karina. With a professional and impeccable smile, she made an announcement.

— Attention, participants! I have good news and bad news for you. Which would you like to start with?

— Let’s start with the good news! — everyone said in unison.

— After yesterday’s broadcast, the audience voted for all the couples. No one is eliminated after the first challenge. And now for the bad news. Tomorrow will be a challenge called “Trust,” and it will decide the fate of one of your couples.

— What is the task? — one of the participants inquired.

— The couples will navigate an obstacle together. One partner will be blindfolded, fully trusting the second. The pair that demonstrates absolute trust and support will win. And the losing couple will immediately leave the villa. This time, the partners switch roles. Those who prepared the declarations of love will lead their partners. Those who received the declarations of love will be led.

As soon as Karina left and breakfast concluded, Eva, driven by fierce jealousy, decided to act. She needed an ally, and only Vladimir could be that person. She hurried to take him out to the terrace to discuss the plan.

— This challenge is a good opportunity to eliminate Alina.

— Eliminate, how? — Volodya asked, not quite understanding her hint.

— You are so stupid. The obstacle is a risk, a danger... Do you understand?

— And?

— And a perfect opportunity to take that lying bitch out of the game. She needs to get injured so their couple is disqualified from further participation.

— Eva?! Have you gone mad?! — Volodya grabbed her hand. For the first time, his eyes showed not unconditional adoration, but masculine firmness. — You can’t do that!

— Why?

— Eva! Have you completely lost your mind? It’s one thing to seduce, and completely another to maim an innocent person!

— Innocent?! That bitch is clearly up to something. Everyone saw the way Alexei looks at her, and that he came out of the makeup room covered in lipstick! Her lipstick. That predator was clearly trying to seduce him.

— Even if that’s true, you shouldn’t turn into a monster out of jealousy.

— So, are you going to help me or not?

Eva sweetly rolled her eyes and put on a pleasant, standard smile. This always worked on Volodya. But this time, her feminine tricks had no effect.

— I won’t participate in this! I knew you did small mischievous things, but this is a crime. This isn’t the Eva I fell in love with.

His unexpected, courageous protest stunned Eva. He had never refused her anything. Always covered for her and supported her. She snatched her hand away.

— Fine! I will act anyway—with or without you.