It started with another message.
This time, Landon didn't even bother pretending to be patient.
You can't keep ignoring me, Serena.
You promised me you weren't staying with him just for appearances.
You said you loved me.
If you don't do something soon, I will.
The words flashed on her screen while she sat at the gallery's private office, a press release about Celina's summer exhibit open but unread in front of her.
Serena's hand shook slightly as she set the phone down.
Outside, the gallery buzzed with preparations for the next showcase.
Inside, Serena's world was splintering.
Her assistant knocked hesitantly.
"Your mother is on the line, Mrs. Graves."
Serena straightened immediately, smoothing her hair, her dress, her expression.
Old habits.
Always look perfect.
Always sound perfect.
She picked up the call, voice honeyed and light.
"Hi, Mom."
Dolores Calvert's voice came crisply through the speaker—cool, controlled, already sharp at the edges.
"Serena. I've been hearing... whispers."
Serena's smile faltered.
"What kind of whispers?"
"Investors pulling out. Magazine features delayed. Sponsors getting nervous.
You know how fast reputations slip in this city, darling."
Serena swallowed.
"It's just temporary," she said quickly. "Minor setbacks. Nothing permanent."
Her mother didn't respond immediately.
When she did, her voice was softer—more dangerous.
"You built something beautiful, Serena.
Don't throw it away by being careless."
A long pause.
"And don't forget—Malik is half the reason anyone took you seriously when you started.
You two were supposed to be... stable. Aspirational."
Serena's stomach twisted.
"I know," she said tightly.
"Good," Dolores said. "Then fix it."
The call ended before Serena could say anything else.
Serena sat very still for a long time, the dead line buzzing faintly against her ear.
Fix it.
Smile harder.
Be perfect.
Patch the cracks and dance faster and hope no one noticed the pieces falling.
Meanwhile, across the city, Malik stood in his study, methodically sorting through papers.
Lease transfers. Silent withdrawals.
Lockbox access arrangements.
With every signature, every quiet move,
he was severing one more tie.
One more string connecting him to Serena's sinking world.
Jordan, his assistant, buzzed his phone once.
Gallery event confirmed for Friday.
Media will be present.
Launch of Celina's summer series.
Malik smiled faintly.
Perfect.
Another spotlight.
Another stage for the fall.
Back at the gallery, Serena pulled her phone back out.
Scrolled through the messages Landon had sent.
Deleted them all without reading further.
Not now.
Not yet.
She would fix this.
She had to.
She didn't know that no matter how tightly she smiled,
no matter how carefully she danced—
The stage beneath her had already begun to rot.
And soon, it would collapse.