The sound of rushed footsteps echoed in the empty hotel corridor as Ophelia clutched her car keys, her knuckles white with pressure. Her heart was hammering in her chest, not from exertion, but from a firestorm of jealousy and dread. The voice she’d heard through Sen’s phone call—soft, feminine, hauntingly familiar—rang in her ears like a warning bell.

"That wasn’t just anyone… that was her."

She gritted her teeth as the words from her nightmare replayed like a record she couldn’t break: Cordelia, leaning in close to Sen, teasing him with soft smiles and eyes that once belonged only to April. “No,” she hissed under her breath as she stormed toward the elevator, “I won’t let her take him. Not again.”

Back at the studio, Lia wiped the sweat from her brow, catching her breath from the final run of her routine.

"You’ve improved a lot," the choreographer said, offering a small, proud nod.

“Have I?” Lia tilted her head, uncertain. “Is it enough to perform on stage?”

The man hesitated. “Almost. You’re close, but there’s still a gap between rehearsal and performance. You need more polish.”

Lia exhaled hard, frustration flickering behind her lashes. “Then I won’t say I’m good until I earn that stage.”

The choreographer gave a light chuckle at her fiery determination. “That’s the attitude. I’ll send over some videos—watch them and drill the moves tonight. It’ll help you close that gap faster.”

“Thank you,” she said, bowing her head politely but with purpose. Her jacket slid over her shoulders, but her resolve had only sharpened.

Outside the room, Amy was waiting. “Lia, are you alright?”

Lia smiled—calm, almost too calm. “Actually, I need a favor. Someone’s about to arrive. Can you greet them in my place? Stall them a bit.”

Amy blinked, confused. “Of course... but who?”

Lia just turned her head and said, “You’ll know her when you see her. Trust me.”

As Amy departed, Lia walked with confident steps down the hallway toward the vocal studio, the air around her tingling with quiet electricity. Inside, her senior girl group was finishing up a run-through.

“Lia, your turn!” Ella beamed, patting the empty spot next to her. “Wait... are you vocals or rap?”

“Both,” Lia said casually, a sly smirk tugging at her lips.

Ella narrowed her eyes. “You’re teasing. Come on, sing something already!”

“Nope.” Lia laughed, shaking her head. “You’ll just have to wait till the official release.”

Ella groaned dramatically. “Ugh! Two more days of torture. You’re lucky I adore you, you little menace.”

“I’d be worried about that comment if the others weren’t staring at me like I’m a mystery box,” Lia said, glancing at the rest of the girls who sat wide-eyed and curious.

Lia’s phone buzzed in her hand. A message from Amy.
"She’s here."

With a gleam in her eyes and a wicked satisfaction growing in her chest, Lia turned.

“They’ll live,” Ella waved off, clearly charmed. “Now go do whatever mysterious thing you need to do. But come back quick!”

“Be right back, sunshine,” she called out to Ella as she slipped out of the room.