The camera flashes increased, every snap breaking into my heart or what was left of it. I looked around me, but I could picture the crowd of faces jeering at me. They used to love me, these same people, requesting my autographs and screaming my name. But just like that, I became the most hated person in the country. All for a lie.

"Allegra Quinn.“ Voices called behind me, echoing in my mind as the lights rained on me.

"Allegra! Allegra!"

"Can you say something for your fans. You have disappointed them. Aren't you going to tender an apology?“

"Will you really be going to jail? Give us an answer, Ally. Your fans are dying to know."

I spun around at the last word, my eyes colliding with those of a ferret-looking reporter who had made that preposterous statement.

But I couldn't stop. The policemen dragged me out of the courthouse, and straight to the garage where the convey van was waiting. To my surprise, Chester, my dear and loving husband, who testified to the lies told against me, was standing there. But he was alone; my sister Nancy was standing beside him. This was her plan. To take everything belonging to me for her own, and she'd connived with my manager and my husband to do so.

"Why did you do this to me, Chester?" I intended to raise my voice, but the hurt in my heart betrayed me. "I have only ever loved you. Did you hate me all this time?"

"No," he answered flatly, a complacent look across his face. "But I never loved you either."

"What!"

"Yes," he put his arms around my sister and pulled her close. "Nancy is the one I love. I've always loved her. She's the piece to complete me, my eternal sunshine. I was so desperate that I married you to be close to her."

"You bastard!" I lurched towards André, aiming for his neck. But the Policeman restrained me and pulled me back. "How can you do this to me?"

Nancy took the time to raise her hand, and I caught the glint of the diamond ring on her finger. The same ring Chester proposed to her. My ring!

"Won't you congratulate me sister?" she snickered. "I don't suppose you are jealous again or are you?"

Chester shrugged nonchalantly, dipped his hand into his pocket and fished out a piece of paper. Without as much as a word, he shoved the paper into my hands and walked away. In my frenzied state, I ripped the envelope open and there it was— a divorce paper.

This was the last bit of betrayal I would suffer and this one took the breath out of my lungs. I was finally alone now. No career, no fans, no money and no husband. I opened my mouth, to scream, but my voice had vanished. All that was left was a void, a dark space of weakness and emptiness.

So in deep silence, I watched as the policeman dragged me into the van and drove off.

The coming weeks went by slowly and uneventfully. I served my jail term quietly, enduring the bullying and the scornful treatment I received from the inmates and the wardens. As expected, no one came to check on me. My parents hated me since I was born

And Nancy was busy enjoying life with the man I loved.

At the end of my jail term, I was released. But I wasn't permitted to return to my luxury apartments. One of the wardens secured an apartment for me downtown. The place wasn't exactly palatable, being infested with cockroaches and rats, but it provided a roof over my head.

I tried to restrategize and think of the next thing to do in my life. But since I could not show my face in public, getting a job was out of the question. The story concerning my downfall was trending on the Podcast. We've been holding newspapers and magazines, and many things have been created. Thus, I remained in my cramped apartment, depressed lonely and suicidal.

Two weeks after my release from prison, I got tired of moping and decided to step out for a change. I shortened my hair and dyed it black. With a few more touches to my makeup, I headed to the busiest club in town.

There were a few weird glances as I stepped into the rowdy building, but no one recognised me. Alas, my fan base didn't spread to this side of the world. What great luck!

I started with a few glasses of vodka and tonic, but then I decided to up my game and let it all go. Months of pent-up pain and suicidal thoughts.

I mixed with the crowd dancing with anybody I found. I joined the game, card gambling, truth or dare, and even strip poker. The drinks flowed endlessly and I found myself laughing carelessly as the night wore on.

I don't remember what really happened but I knew it was one of the people in the group. They came with sachets of substances. Crack, cocaine, laudanum, and even opium. I tried every one of them, sniffing, smoking and inhaling. This was the life, I thought— the end of all my troubles until I was once again, wrong.

I woke up to find the sun rays dancing on my face. My first intuition was to stand up and close the windows, but then I realised I wasn't home. The cream-painted walls and the soft bed were not present in my apartment. I looked around and my eyes went wide with shock, I was in a hotel room! Stark naked!

I tried to remember how, but my memories were jumbled up. Quickly, I jumped off the bed and started scurrying around. Whatever disguise had faded and anyone could recognise the infamous Allegra Quinn at a glance.

My clothes were scattered all over the floor, but I bent down and scooped them into my arms. I turned around and headed in the direction of the closet. But the door was suddenly thrown open. My eyes darted across the road and landed on the tall figure. My heart leapt into my mouth.

André Beaumont.