Under the Veil I Rule
Chapter 43

The morning was packed with important scenes that needed shooting. Amara decided she'd tackle her other issues after the filming was done and headed to the set.

As she walked into the studio, she could feel the curious eyes following her, but Amara kept her composure, striding in with an air of calm.

At the age of ten, when she had been left with scars, she had faced far more judgmental stares than she was getting now. She'd developed a thick skin to such looks.

“Ama,” whispered a lighting technician she was friendly with, approaching her cautiously. “Is it true? Are you really Mr. Everly's wife? Is what that article says true?"

Amara noticed the hush that fell over the set as people paused in their tasks, eavesdropping with keen interest.

She looked away and replied normally, "Yes, we are married, and yes, we're about to get divorced. But unlike what that article suggests, I'm not clinging to Mr. Everly. We're simply in the waiting period for the divorce."

"I see."

"I knew that article was nonsense. You're a good person; you wouldn't do something like that."

"Whoever wrote that piece really crossed a line.”

Amara had built a good reputation in the crew, and many colleagues gathered around to offer their support, filling her heart with a gentle warmth.

Just then, she noticed Liliana entering. Amara's expression turned cold. She excused herself from the group with a quick, “I need to step out for a bit,” and followed Liliana to her break room.

Amara didn't bother knocking. She barged in, slamming the door shut behind her.

Liliana, who had just set down her purse, turned around sharply at the noise, locking eyes with Amara.

"So this is your idea of revenge?"

Amara held up her phone, displaying her Twitter DMs, filled with vile messages.

"Hey ugly, show us your face, bet you're desperate for a man, huh?”

"Ugly chick trying to steal from Lili, do you have no shame?"

"Go to hell, you ugly witch."

Liliana glanced at the screen before looking away, a faint scorn playing on her lips.

"Well, they're not wrong, are they? You are mad? Did it hit a nerve?"

Amara glared at her, and without warning, raised her hand and slapped Liliana hard across the face.

The sound echoed in the room as Liliana's head snapped to the side, her cheek stinging with the imprint of Amara's hand. She turned back, disbelief etched on her features as she stared at Amara.

"You dare slap me?"

"Damn right, that's what I did!"

"What gives you the right?"

Fury overtook Liliana, stripping away her usual facade of grace. She scowled at Amara, the red mark on her cheek only adding to the anger twisting her features.

“It's all because you won't let go of Finn! If you'd just divorce him already, I wouldn't have to do this! If you didn't play your little games, I wouldn't have resorted to these measures! You've got no one to blame but yourself for the abuse you're getting online!"

The room was equipped with bug detectors, so Liliana wasn't afraid of her outburst being overheard, and in her anger, she let the words fly.

Amara's face twisted with anger beneath her mask, the expression hidden from view.

“What games, Liliana? What have I done to you? Stop pretending to be so innocent.”

"You refuse to rewrite the script for me and brought in a stand-in to humiliate me—-isn't that your schemes?"