Self-Sabotage (4)

Adele~

My voice cut through the air like glass.

Julia’s mouth clamped shut. Audrey’s eyes darted nervously, and Sophie looked like she wished the ground would swallow her whole. For a second, it was as if the entire booth stilled – and I felt that even the music from the speakers dimmed beneath the weight of what I had just said.

I stepped back a bit, letting my words land sharp and deliberate.

“You're not my rival, Julia,” I said, my voice low and steely. “You're just a poorly stitched knockoff. And the problem with knockoffs? They fall apart under pressure.”

She stood frozen, trembling with anger, embarrassment, shame… I didn't care to know.

“And if you ever, ever speak about my man like that again,” I added, tone shifting like ice cracking, “I won’t just shred your pride, I’ll shred your reputation. You’ve seen what I can do with pencils. Don’t make me show you what I can do with lives.”

That did it.

She exploded.

“How dare you threaten me!” she screamed, startling her minions. “