The scapegoat

She held my face tightly, her nails digging into my skin. "You're lying," she said angrily. "You've wanted him since you got here."

Feeling a rush of energy, I pushed Victoria away with surprising force. She fell back, shocked, and before she could react, I spoke softly, "No, you're wrong. Please believe me."

But Victoria was too angry to listen. She fell to the floor, acting like a limp doll. The sound of her hitting the carpet made me flinch. "Help!" she screamed. "Alex, help me!"

I was shocked and my hands were shaking. This was a new low for her. I knew I had to leave before things got worse. Before Alex came back and sided with her. Before she made it seem like I did something wrong.

I got to my feet, my cheeks stinging from her slaps. "Victoria, please," I said, trying to stay calm. "Just calm down."

But she didn’t calm down. Instead, she started crying loudly, holding her face. "Oh, Alex," she cried, "she tried to seduce you!"

I felt panic as I realized what she was doing. She was pretending to be the victim. "Victoria, get up," I said firmly. "You're causing a scene."

Her cries grew louder. "Alex!" she yelled, looking at me. "She's attacking me!"

My heart raced as I understood the situation. This was a game for her, and I was the one in danger. I needed to leave before Alex found us like this. Before he saw my tears and believed her lies.

With shaky legs, I stepped back, watching her act. "Victoria, please," I begged. "This isn’t what it looks like." But she just cried louder, pretending to be in distress.

Before I could say more, Alex burst through the door, looking panicked. "Victoria," he shouted. "What’s happening?"

My heart sank as I saw the scene. Victoria lay on the floor, her makeup running down her face. "Emma attacked me," she wailed, pretending to be hurt. "She's been trying to seduce you!"

Alex looked angry and confused, switching his gaze between us. I could see him starting to doubt. "Victoria, that’s not true," I tried to say, but she interrupted with another cry.

"You see?" Victoria sobbed, pointing at me. "She's lying!"

Alex looked at me, his face a mix of anger and doubt. I knew he wouldn't believe me with her tears. He moved closer to her and helped her up. "What happened?" he asked, his voice tense.

I took a deep breath. "It's not what she says," I said quickly. "She's not telling the truth."

Alex stared at me, his expression stormy. "What did you do to Victoria?" he growled. "Are you trying to hurt her?"

I was shocked by his words. "What? No, Alex, she's fine. She's just upset."

Alex held Victoria tighter, looking furious. "Upset? What did you do to her?"

"Alex, please," I begged, stepping back. "You're not understanding. She's just playing games."

But he was too angry to listen. He took a step closer. "You're fired," he said coldly. "Get out of my house."

The words felt like a slap. I felt unsteady. "Alex," I whispered, reaching for him. "Please believe me."

Before I could finish, Victoria chimed in, sweetly yet sharply. "No, darling, you can't fire her," she said, wrapping her arms around Alex. "Nobody wants her in my place anyway. She should live here as a slave she is.

Alex looked at me, and for a moment, I saw doubt. But Victoria's hold on him tightened. "Let's deal with this together," she whispered, and his doubt vanished.

With a heavy heart, I turned and ran from the room, my legs shaking. I could hear their muffled voices as I left. I didn't look back, afraid of what I might see.

Tears blinded me as I rushed through the hallway, the mansion feeling smaller and more suffocating. I needed to escape from their accusations and judgment.