Chapter 2: The Party That Ruined Everything

In my old life, I died on the day that should’ve been my ultimate triumph. I’d just snagged my third Best Actress award—the youngest to ever triple crown in Hollywood. Decked out in a designer gown worth more than most people’s homes, I stood beside my childhood sweetheart, Tyler, at our engagement party in the Four Seasons, cameras broadcasting our perfect lives to millions.

Then Tyler turned to the crowd and said, clear as crystal: "I will never marry a bully who tormented her classmates in high school."

My champagne glass slipped from my hand, shattering across the marble. Rachel emerged from the sea of faces, tears glimmering for the cameras as she smiled up at me: "Madison, do you remember me? Rachel—the girl you bullied for ten years. You probably never imagined I’d one day stand as your equal. But it’s okay, I don’t blame you anymore. Looking back now, the storm has passed and I’ve moved on."

In minutes, the livestream exploded. Rachel became America’s sweetheart overnight, and before I could even process what was happening, a horde of reporters—set up by my brother and Tyler, I realized too late—swarmed me like sharks.

"Miss Thompson, we heard you still bully newcomers on set. Is that true?"

"You were seen at a gynecology clinic—was it for an STD from your wild lifestyle?"

Suddenly, a crazed fan burst through, screaming about justice, and hurled sulfuric acid at my face: "Die, you bitch!"

The pain was blinding, absolute—my skin sizzled, my world went black. One second I was at the top; the next, everything was gone.