The Last Scene's Secret

Chapter 9: A Broken Puzzle

Ling woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the curtains, momentarily filling her with a sense of peace. She stretched her arms, turning to see Orm still sleeping beside her, the remnants of last night's intimacy lingering in the air. For a brief moment, everything felt perfect, like a dream she never wanted to end. But reality had a different plan.

The sharp buzz of her phone shattered the calm. Ling reached for it, her heart sinking as she read the message displayed on the screen:

"Tee-rak, come back to me if you don't want this photo leaked."

Her hands trembled, and she felt a cold fear grip her heart. The words were like a knife, twisting into the happiness she had barely begun to taste. Images of Orm and her together—laughing, touching, kissing—flashed through her mind, now shadowed by the threat hanging over her head. Panic surged through her veins as she imagined the consequences. The media frenzy, the backlash, the damage to their careers. And most of all, she feared losing Orm all over again.

"Orm, wake up," Ling said urgently, shaking Orm's shoulder.

Orm stirred, blinking as she woke up. "Ling? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep.

Ling wordlessly handed her phone to Orm, who took it, reading the message. The color drained from Orm's face as she understood the threat. Her mind raced, trying to comprehend who could be behind it, but only one person came to mind—Prigkhing. The possessive ex who had always loomed over Ling's past, refusing to let go.

Before either of them could speak, Orm's phone buzzed. The sound was jarring, making them both jump. Orm picked up her phone to see a message from her manager:

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THIS AGAIN!"

Orm's heart sank. Her manager had warned her before about being careful, about staying away from scandal, especially when it came to her personal life. The fragile balance of her career hung by a thread, and now that thread was about to snap. Panic rose in her throat like bile.

Ling watched Orm's reaction, her heart breaking. She could see the fear in Orm's eyes, the hesitation, and she knew what was coming even before Orm spoke.

"It's over, Ling," Orm said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I can't... I can't do this anymore. I thought we could have something, but... it's too complicated, too dangerous. I can't risk everything again."

Ling stared at Orm, tears welling up in her eyes. "You're giving up?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Just like that? After everything we've been through? After last night?" Her voice broke, and she felt like her heart was shattering all over again.

Orm turned away, unable to look Ling in the eyes. "I have to," she said, almost as if she were convincing herself. "For my career, for my future. I've worked too hard to throw it all away now. I thought I could handle this, but I can't."

Ling felt a surge of anger and hurt. "And what about us, Orm? What about what we just found? You're willing to throw that away, too?"

Orm clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "It's not that simple! You think I want to walk away? I'm trying to protect you, to protect both of us! If this gets out..."

"Protect me?" Ling interrupted, her voice rising. "By leaving me alone to deal with this? By walking away when I need you the most?"

Before Orm could respond, Ling's manager burst into the room, face flushed with anger and concern. "We have to leave. Now," the manager barked, grabbing Ling's arm roughly. "There's too much at stake. You need to think about your image, your career."