Chapter 12%
The press exploded after my statement, setting off a wildfire of reactions across social media. Comments flooded in, hashtags trended worldwide, and heated debates raged across various platforms.
Justice for Sophia Lancaster. Give Claire her son back
Every major news outlet covered my side of the story, replaying clips from the press conference where I finally spoke the truth. Olivia’s carefully crafted image as the perfect wife and mother was crumbling before her eyes, the cracks widening with every passing moment
“Olivia Bennett is a liar!”
“Sophia Lancaster is fighting for her stolen son!”
“Ethan Caldwell’s ex–girlfried speaks out–was she silenced all this time?!
The media wasn’t just reporting anymore. They were digging Investigations were being launched, old articles were resurfacing, and the truth that had been buried for years was finally seeing the light of day!!
Olivia’s downfall had begun.
And I had no intention of stopping.
But the one day, I had barely stepped out of the studio when I heard the sharp, frantic clicks of high heels against the pavement. Before I could turn, a shrill voice cut through the quiet night.||
“You ruined me!”
The sheer venom in Olivia’s tone almost made me laugh. Almost!
She stood a few feet away, her chest heaving, her once–perfect hair disheveled, and her eyes bloodshot with fury. There was audience now. No cameras, no flashing lights, Just the two of us under the dim glow of the parking lot lamps, surrounded by silence
I tilted my head, my lips curling into a slow smirk. “Oh? I thought you did that all by yourself.“) Her hands trembled at her sides, fingers curling into fists before she lunged at me in blind rage.
ΠΟ
fall flat on the
I stepped aside at the last second, watching as she stumbled forward, barely catching herself before she could fall ground”
“You bitch!” she spat, her voice shaking, “Because of you, I lost everything! The producers won’t even return my calls! No one wants to cast me anymore!”
I crossed my arms, unfazed by her hysterics. “Maybe because you’re talentless and problematic?
Her nostrils flared as she took a step closer, her entire body trembling with suppressed fury. “Don’t act so high and mighty, Claire! You think you’ve won? You think you’re untouchable? You’re just a desperate, washed–up actress trying to steal my life-
I let out a short chuckle, shaking my head. “Your life? Oh, Olivia, I don’t want your life. I want mine back. And you? You were just in the way.“!!
Her hand flew up, ready to strike
I caught her wrist in midair, my grip firm
“Don’t, I warned, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
She gasped, her eyes widening in shock as I tightened my hald just enough to make her realize she had lost whatever little power she thought she had left.
“I’ve had enough of you.” I continued, “You played dirty. You stole my son. You ruined my name. And for what? To keep Ethan? To live the life you knew never belonged to you?“%
I shoved her hand away, watching as she stumbled back.
She glared at me, her breath coming in sharp, uneven pants
“You want war, Olivia?” I took a slow step forward, meeting her gaze without hesitation. “Then bring it on.”
With Lucas’s help, I filed for joint custody of Liam, fully aware that Ethan and Olivia wouldn’t let it happen without a fight. I expected resistance. I expected legal battles, threats, and underhanded tactics. But none of that mattered.
I was prepared for war
Ethan’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell, wasted no time in calling for a private meeting, no doubt hoping to intimidate me into backing down
The moment I stepped into their grand estate, I felt the weight of their scrutiny. They sat across from me in the lavish sitting room, their faces void of warmth, their expressions carefully composed.!
Mrs Caldwell sighed dramatically, her eyes filled with feigned sympathy “Claire, let’s be reasonable about this.”
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by her act. Reasonable? Like how your son reasonably took my child away from me? Like he throw me away? Like how he ruin my life?
ப
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “We gave Liam a better life.”
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain calm. “You stole him from me.”
Mr. Caldwell finally spoke, his voice cold and firm “Claire, listen carefully He leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Drop this custody case. Walk away now, and we’ll make sure you never have to struggle again.”
12:20 PM N
mine. “Drop this custody case. Walk away now, and we’ll make sure you never have to struggle again.”
I scoffed, shaking my head. “You’re trying to buy me off?”
“Think of your career,” Mrs. Caldwell added smoothly, her tone sickeningly sweet. “If you keep fighting us, we’ll make sure you never see Liam again
A slow smirk spread across my lips as I studied them both
“That’s cute,” I mused, tilting my head slightly. “You still think you have power over me.”
Their expressions hardened.
I stood up, my chair scraping against the marble floor as I met their gazes with unwavering resolve, “Listen carefully,” I said, my voice steady and unshaken. “No amount of money, threats, or dirty tricks will stop me. Liam is my son. And I will never stop fighting for him,7)
Mr. Caldwell’s jaw tightened, but he remained silent.5
I turned on my heels and walked out without another word.
Despite Olivia and Trisha’s desperate attempts to sabotage my career, I landed the lead role in a highly anticipated drama.”
The production tearn barely hesitated to cast me.
“She’s perfect for the role,” the director had said without a second thought. “Her talent is undeniable,”
ocklist me
Olivia and Trisha tried everything in their power to ruin me–spreading rumors, bribing journalists, even attempting to blacklist me from major projects.
But Lucas?$
Lucas made sure none of it worked!!
“They think they can bury you,” he had said one evening, swirling whiskey in his glass as he leaned back in his chair. “But they forget who they’re dealing with “8
His influence alone was enough to shut down every underhanded scheme Olivia and Trisha attempted.
Because of him and Richard, I was unstoppable
And when the drarna aired?
It became an instant hit.
The ratings skyrocketed, audiences praised my performance, and critics hailed my portrayal as one of the most compelling in recent years.
Then came the award season.
“And the Best Actress Award goes to… Sophia Lancaster!“2
The crowd erupted into cheers, applause filling the grand hall as I rose from my seat.!!
As I walked onto the stage, I could practically feel Olivia and Trisha seething somewhere in the audience, their resentment thick enough to choke on.
I took the golden trophy, turning toward the mic with a smile 8
“I dedicate this to every woman who was ever silenced,” I said, my voice clear and unwavering. “They tried to break me. But I rose again. And I’ll keep rising–no matter who tries to stop me.”
The applause was deafening.
