The Broken-hearted She And The Icy He

Chapter 22 Not Dead Yet

Lily’s hotel name, her phone number… even her ID number had all been leaked online by the ever-“resourceful” netizens.

All because John was that famous.

And the rumor of her being a mistress? It dominated the trending searches.

The internet was flooded with slander, abuse, and mockery. Strangers from every corner of the web cursed her, told her to go die, even damned her entire family.

Too bad for them–those curses were wasted.

Her family… had already perished sixteen years ago. And she had no plans to die.

She was going to live. Live long, just like her parents had told her to.

Lily could guess with near certainty: the photo of her leaving the marital home had been leaked by Elsa’s people, stirring public opinion and weaponizing the internet mob.

She was still contemplating how to counterattack when her phone rang.

It was the director of God of War.

“Mr. Applebee, good morning. I—”

Just a little incident, she meant to say. I’ll be there soon to sign the contract.

But before she could finish, Mr. Applebee’s voice, cold and full of contempt, cut her off. “Lily, don’t bother coming.Our studio doesn’t work with voice actors who have moral stains. We’ll never collaborate with you again.”

Lily froze. He’d seen the headlines too.

She’d auditioned five separate times to get the role of Athena.

And now, because of baseless slander, it was gone.

“Mr. Applebee, please, there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m not a homewrecker-”

Click.

The call ended.

She redialed.

Busy signal.

He had blocked her.

1/3

the black screen of her phone, Lily felt her

was hard. So hard. It took work, talent, perseverance. She’d clawed her way

it with the flick

cry–but she forced herself

whispered, “Come on,

they want you to fall. The more they want you filthy and broken. The higher

Keep going.

filth. All that trash thrown at her–she

for a long time, then finally

scrubbed herself over and over–shampoo, body wash, scalding water—until she could no longer smell the rot clinging to her

her hair was dry, she didn’t rush to post her proof or

getting louder.

was counting on one thing: that John’s bias for her would prevent him

what Elsa

had solid evidence

wanted to destroy

reached its boiling point, and then she’d crush her

meant to be despised by

and soon

Or so she thought.

that had happened today, but her mind dragged her back–to those dark memories

when she

she was placed

too charming as a child.

2/3

adopting her.

was Jerome Ginger and Luna Sue, a couple who had just lost their six–year–old daughter and were desperate for

other was the Boltons–Blanc and Nancy–the wealthiest family in the

had three sons and had always

held her in her arms and called her “my