CHAPTER ONE: IT STARTED WITH A HEADLINE

RAELYNN

The campus felt… weird. Off. Like everyone had suddenly decided to stare at me all at once. And maybe they had. Every step I took, every whisper behind me made my stomach twist.

“Why are people staring at us?” Claire whispered, walking beside me.

“I don’t know,” I muttered, keeping my head down. “It’s… weird.”

She gave me a look, a mix of worry and curiosity. “Weird? Try scary.”

We found our usual seats in class, but it didn’t help. People kept sneaking glances, whispering to each other, some even pointing. My fingers drummed nervously on the desk. I wanted to disappear.

Claire leaned over. “Any luck with your job applications?”

I sighed. “Not really. Everyone wants experience, and… I don’t have much. But I’m still trying.”

It hadn’t been easy. Mom has been the one holding down the fort at home, doing all she could to support me. My little side income barely covered my expenses. Every application I sent felt like I was tossing a hopeless bottle into the ocean and hoping it reached someone who cared.

Claire patted my shoulder. “It’ll work out, Rae. Fingers crossed.”

Before I could respond, Amelia one of Claire’s friends came over. Her eyes were sparkling like she had some big news.

“Oh my gosh,” she whispered dramatically, leaning close, “who would’ve guessed you were having an affair with a hot billionaire?”

My stomach dropped. “Wait… what?”

Claire tilted her head. “An affair? With who?”

Amelia waved her phone. “You’re all over the internet. Haven’t you seen? Look!”

I grabbed her phone, heart pounding. There I was leaving Lucio’s house, waiting for an Uber, stepping outside like any normal girl but the headline screamed

“Billionaire CEO Lucio Ashford spotted with mystery woman amid affair rumors.”

Beneath the comments read:

‘Gold digger.’

‘Homewrecker.’

‘She knew exactly what she was doing.’

‘She’s not even that pretty. She must have seduced him.’

I blinked. What the hell?

Claire leaned closer. “Oh my goodness,” she said quietly.

I scrolled through the pictures, my chest tightening. The comments were worse. People were saying I seduced him on purpose, used him for fame, called me all sorts of names. Every single one made my face burn hotter, making me become more conscious of myself.

“I didn’t even know he had a girlfriend,” I muttered.

“And he does,” Claire said, lowering her voice. “Sophie Adele. The model.”

I felt my stomach drop, I felt like throwing up. What did I just do?

Amelia tried to cheer me up. “Hey, it’s not your fault. He’s the one with a girlfriend and still picking up girls at a club. That’s on him.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “But people are bashing you hard online. You need to see it.”

I didn’t want to. But I had to. I opened my notifications and slowly scrolled. Every comment felt like a slap. They were all over the place, accusing me of things I’d never even thought of doing. My hand shook, and I had to put the phone down for a second.

“I can’t… this is insane,” I whispered.

Claire nudged me. “Let’s just focus on class for now.”

I nodded but barely heard her. My thoughts kept drifting to him Lucio Ashford the man who had accidentally made my life a public spectacle.

When the bell rang, I grabbed my bag and muttered that I was heading home. Claire offered to come with me, but I shook my head. I needed air, space, and a chance to breathe without someone watching.

At home, my phone rang. Mom. I froze for a second, panic twisting my stomach.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, trying to sound calm.

“How’s my baby?” she asked.

“I’m… okay,” I said, forcing a smile I knew she couldn’t see. “How are you?”

“I’m fine, but I saw a notification and guess who’s trending?” Her voice was calm but disappointed, which stung more than any online comment.

I swallowed hard. “Mom…”

“I know you’re supposed to have fun, Raelynn,” she said, softer now. “But I’m disappointed. You know how I feel about homewreckers. There are other men out there you don’t need to chase someone else’s man.”

Based on past experience with my dad leaving us because of an affair, I could tell it really weighed her down.

Her words hit hard. I hated lying, but I couldn’t tell her everything.

“It’s… a misunderstanding,” I said quickly. “He’s actually my new boss. I just went over to his house for a file, that’s it. The paparazzi got it all wrong, and we’ll release a statement soon.”

There was a pause. Then she sighed. “Okay, baby. I knew you wouldn’t be that kind of girl.”

I hung up, letting out a shaky breath. Relief and guilt twisted in my chest.

Even though I tried to focus on my emails and homework, the chaos followed me. Every notification, every buzz from my phone reminded me that my life had suddenly become public property. And then it hit me I’d actually applied to work at his company.

The irony was brutal. Lucio Ashford the man who caused all this was now my potential boss.

I sank back into my chair, heart hammering. Terrified, yes, but also weirdly excited. This was only the beginning.