---- Chapter 14 Fear, cold and sharp, gripped Kaylee. She knew what Darius was capable of when he was angry. She had to protect herself. An idea sparked in her mind. Her followers. She quickly set up her phone on a tripod, smudging her makeup to look tear-stained and vulnerable. She put on a simple white dress to appear innocent and fragile. Then, she posted a long, emotional essay on Facebook. She attached a few photos of herself curled up on the sofa, looking terrified. "I've been wronged," she wrote, her words carefully crafted for maximum sympathy. "My boyfriend... he has another girlfriend. | think he's going to leave me." She continued, "I'm carrying his child. How could he be so heartless?" She spun a masterful tale of woe, twisting facts and fabricating lies. She painted herself as the innocent victim, a helpless, pregnant woman betrayed by a cruel man. She even managed to cast Joana as the villain, the jealous shrew who was trying to drive her away. "Please, help me," she concluded the post. "I'm so scared. 'm afraid he'll force me to get rid of the baby. This baby is all | have." ---- Her performance was flawless. Her viewers, completely taken in, flooded the comment section with messages of support. "We'll protect you!" "What's your address? We're coming!" Without hesitation, she posted her location in the comments. Soon, a crowd of her most ardent fans had gathered outside her villa, a self-appointed militia ready to defend her. They shouted words of encouragement up to her window. "Don't be afraid! He might be powerful, but he's in the wrong! We're here for you!" Kaylee looked down at the crowd, a sense of security washing over her. Then, a black sedan pulled up, and her confidence evaporated. Darius stepped out of the car, flanked by a team of stone- faced bodyguards. His expression was arctic. "Get rid of these people," he said, his voice quiet but carrying an unmistakable command. His bodyguards moved with brutal efficiency. Within a minute, the crowd of supporters had been dispersed, and the street was empty. Kaylee stumbled out of her villa, her face a mess of real tears. "Darius, I'm sorry! | only did it because | love you! | was desperate!" She tried to lean against him, to grab his sleeve. ---- He let out a sharp, mirthless laugh. He grabbed her chin, his fingers digging into her skin, leaving bruises. "Do you know what your biggest mistake was?" he snarled, his eyes burning with fury. "It wasn't lying to me. It was messing with Joana." He shoved her away. She staggered back, catching her balance just before she fell. "My baby!" she shrieked, clutching her stomach. "Please, don't hurt my baby! Darius, we spent so many nights together! You can't feel nothing for me!" He didn't even grant her a look of pity.