The crowd exploded in cheers. Cameras zoomed in. Her name was shouted. A spotlight hit her like a punch.
She stood up. Smiled. Stepped carefully in her heels. Hugged Lana in a totally fake way. Blew a kiss to someone she didn't recognize. Walked down the aisle as the applause swallowed her whole.
Everything was loud.
And yet inside her chest?
Dead silence.
She climbed the steps to the stage. Took the heavy, stupid award statue from the presenter. Posed with her teeth showing. Her brain whispered this isn't real. This isn't real. This isn't right.
She stepped up to the mic.
"Wow," she said, voice sweet and even. "Thank you so much. This means… everything."
Lies.
"I want to thank the cast, the crew, the fans…"
Lies.
"And of course, my team—especially my stylist, who made sure I could still breathe in this corset."
Fake laugh. Pause for clapping. Eyes glassy.
Somewhere deep inside, she felt the beastworld pull. Like a tether yanking her soul back to where she belonged.
