The next week moved with unsettling smoothness. Serena had always known Clara was a master manipulator, but seeing it happen again — this time from a stronger vantage point — was both surreal and infuriating.
Clara had wasted no time. Within days of her arrival, she had charmed half the professors, secured a seat on the student council, and inserted herself into Aaron's daily routine like a parasite.
But Serena was watching.
Always watching.
She'd installed a few anonymous social media accounts — well-designed ones — where she began posting vague "exposés" about campus personalities. Nothing too bold at first. Just whispers. Hints. Enough to sow doubt.
CampusTea_spill :
"Funny how the girl who just arrived on campus already got her grades bumped before midterms even started. Must be her… smile, huh?" 😏
Clara, of course, pretended not to notice. But Serena saw the tension starting to crack beneath her perfect surface. The moment the first post gained traction, Clara's social circle began shrinking.
Then came phase two.
Serena uploaded one of the saved screenshots to the burner account — a blurry photo of Clara at a bar, clearly intoxicated, whispering into the ear of a man who wasn't Aaron. It was dated four years ago — but none of her classmates knew that.
CampusTea_spill :
"Loyal fiancée? Or just another good actress? Guess old habits die hard."
By the end of the day, Clara was trending in whispered gossip through the hallways.
Serena sat in the back of the lecture hall with Evelyn, who was complaining about assignments.
"I swear, this professor wants to ruin my GPA."
Serena gave a distracted nod, her eyes focused on Clara from across the room. Clara looked poised as ever, but Serena saw the subtle twitch in her jaw, the way her fingers tapped too fast against her designer notebook.
Cracks are forming.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
[Message from Aaron]
Hey. Can we talk later? Something's been bothering me. About Clara.
Serena's heart skipped. She turned off the phone screen and leaned back, satisfied.
That evening, Serena was heading to her boutique — now slowly gaining attention on campus and online — when she saw Clara waiting outside her dorm, arms folded, face neutral but eyes blazing.
"Serena," Clara said coolly. "Got a minute?"
Serena paused. "Of course."
Clara gave a perfect smile. "I've been hearing some things. Little rumors. About me. Any idea where they're coming from?"
Serena tilted her head. "I hear them too. So strange, isn't it? Social media can be so… cruel."
Clara stepped closer. "Listen, I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I'd watch it if I were you."
Serena's voice turned ice-cold. "Is that a threat?"
Clara smiled, all sugar again. "Of course not. Just some friendly advice."
They stood there for a moment, the air between them buzzing with unspoken venom.
Serena leaned in, lowering her voice. "Let me give you some advice, cousin. Try not to look so guilty next time someone brings up your affairs. It makes you look less… innocent."
Clara's smile cracked. Just a bit. Enough to satisfy Serena as she turned and walked away, leaving Clara fuming in the dusk.
Back in her room, Serena opened her laptop again. This time, she pulled out the big one — the chat logs between Clara and one of Aaron's best friends. Flirting. Photos. All time-stamped from a month before Clara and Aaron got engaged.
Should I release it now? Or wait until they're just about perfect together?
She chose the latter. Better to strike when the heart is most full — when it hurts the most.
She saved the file under a new folder: "Endgame."
Just then, Evelyn knocked on her door and came in.
"You missed class again."
"Yeah. Sorry."
Evelyn sat beside her. "You've changed, Seren. I don't know how or why, but… you scare me sometimes."
Serena looked at her slowly. "Why?"
"You don't just move on. You plot. You're always thinking. Always one step ahead of everyone."
Serena didn't answer right away. Then she said quietly, "Some people spend their whole lives being stepped on. Ignored. Used. I'm just tired of playing the victim."
Evelyn's eyes softened. "I get that. I really do. Just… don't lose yourself in it, okay?"
Serena smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I know exactly who I am."
The next day, Serena received a text from Aaron.
"I broke up with Clara. Can we meet?"