Gina's POV
I always thought graduation day would be the happiest day of my life. After all, becoming a student of Mount Wing—one of the most prestigious music colleges in the country—wasn't easy.
The sun was high over the campus, its golden light spilling across the stage as I clutched my diploma and smiled for the cameras. Years of sleepless nights, cracked fingertips, and endless rehearsals had finally led to this moment.
"Best graduating student, Gina Greenwood!" the MC announced.
My heart swelled with pride. I looked straight into the camera because my mother—my only family—was watching from her hospital bed. I wanted her to see that every sacrifice she made for me had been worth it.
Applause filled the air as I walked up the stage to receive my award.
"Congratulations," the principal said, shaking my hand as he handed me the plaque.
I smiled and took the microphone to give my speech. It was short—I thanked my lecturers, my friends, and, most importantly, my mother. Then, I turned toward the audience, ready to thank the love of my life, Ethan—the man I had secretly dated for three years.
He was a popular star, and we had agreed that once I became the best graduating student, I could finally announce our relationship publicly.
He had promised to be here today, sitting in the front row as my family. But his seat was empty.
My heart twisted painfully. A cold feeling crept through me as I scanned the crowd again, but he was nowhere to be found. I don't even remember what else I said after that. The moment I stepped off the stage, I grabbed my phone and tried calling him, but he didn't pick up.
Once the ceremony ended, I rushed straight to Prime Entertainment. As the best graduating student, I had earned the opportunity to sign with the country's biggest entertainment company—the same company Ethan was under.
Just as I walked into the lobby, I overheard two front desk staff whispering excitedly.
"Did you hear? Ethan's going to propose to his girlfriend today—right here—as he welcomes her into the company."
My worried heart immediately softened. So that's why he hadn't come. He was planning a surprise.
A warm smile spread across my face. My heart fluttered with anticipation as I stepped into the elevator leading to the boardroom for my signing event. Prime Entertainment was signing dozens of us today, and I imagined the moment Ethan would appear—kneeling before me, confessing his love for the world to see.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop smiling.
I pushed the door to the boardroom open. Ethan and a few others from Mount Wing were already there.
My eyes swept across the room and froze when I saw Emily sitting at the back—my cousin—with my uncle and his wife beside her.
Emily had also graduated from Mount Wing a year ago, but she hadn't made it into the top three of her set, so Prime Entertainment hadn't signed her then. She'd been working with a small studio ever since.
I was a little surprised to see her here, but Prime Entertainment wasn't only signing fresh graduates today, so perhaps she had pulled a few strings.
When my gaze found Ethan again, I smiled, but the look he gave me wasn't one I recognized. His eyes were cold, distant—filled with something I couldn't quite name.
I brushed it off and found my seat, convincing myself that he just didn't want to ruin the surprise he was planning.
Soon, the signing ceremony began. Though it wasn't a live broadcast, several media outlets were there to cover the event.
The process was simple. Each new artist was called up to receive their contract from the director. We had all received copies earlier in the week, so all that remained was to sign and shake hands.
I was the last to be called—fitting, since I was the best graduating student. Over the years, I had also won several awards in music competitions, so it felt natural that I would be the star of the day.
"Gina Greenwood," the MC announced.
I rose with a warm smile, my heart fluttering. As I approached the stage, the director spoke kindly about my achievements and how proud Prime Entertainment was to welcome me into their family.
I smiled, shaking his hand and accepting the contract. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ethan stand up.
My breath caught. This is it, I thought. He's really going to do it.
A bright smile curved my lips as I turned slightly, waiting for him to speak.
But what came out of his mouth wasn't love. It was poison.
"I'm sorry to interrupt this event," Ethan said, his voice cold and sharp, slicing through the room. "But I can't sit here and watch her receive glory and fame for something she didn't earn."
My smile faltered, freezing halfway. For a moment, I wondered if I had misheard him.
The director frowned. "Mr. Ethan, what do you mean by that?"
Ethan's expression hardened. "I mean she's a liar—and a cheat. She stole the work of her cousin."
He held up a small USB drive for everyone to see. Cameras clicked. Gasps rippled across the room.
The director frowned but gestured for one of the staff to collect the USB from Ethan.
I stood frozen in disbelief as the large screen came to life behind the stage.
There they were—two of my most recent songs. The ones that had made me known as the 'Young Diva.' One had even earned me the award that crowned me the best graduating student of Mount Wing.
But beneath each title, I saw a different name.
Emily Greenwood.
My breath caught in my throat. The registration details flashed boldly on the screen—both songs listed under Emily's name with the Music Association and Copyright Protection Office.
The next slide showed a video of Emily performing my songs—the very same lyrics and melody I had written late at night in my dorm room, pouring my heart into every note.
The date stamp showed It was recorded a day before I officially presented them.
My stomach turned. She even created a violin version of one—playing beautifully, as if mocking me with every stroke of the bow.
And all I could do was stand there, watching my world fall apart.
I remembered clearly how it had happened.
When I finished composing those songs, I'd told Ethan I was going to register them immediately, just to be safe. But he had smiled and said, "Don't worry, babe. I'm heading there to register my new script anyway—I'll do yours too."
We had been together for three years. I trusted him completely.
He told me it was done, and I had been foolish enough to believe him.
The slides kept playing, showing more of my past works. Coincidentally, the two songs they focused on were the ones that marked my change in musical style—and now, they were being used as evidence against me.
"How could you?" my uncle's voice thundered through the hall as soon as the screen went black. "We let you and your mother live in our house after your father's death, and this is how you repay us?"
Emily cried softly in her mother's arms, her voice trembling perfectly for the cameras.
"When you stole Happy Land to win the Young Diva's competition, I let it go because we're family," she said, wiping her tears. "I thought it was just that one time. But then you took the song I wrote—the one I planned to use to get into Prime Entertainment—and made it your final project. I'm sorry, but I can't let you take this chance from me again."
My vision blurred. The color drained from my face as her words sank in.
Emily had always wanted what I had since we were children—my toys, my clothes, my friends. I should have known better.
But how could I prove anything now?
We lived under the same roof. Who would believe me if I said I didn't know?
"Miss Greenwood," the director's cold voice snapped me back to the present. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
All eyes turned to me.
The cameras were still rolling.
I shook my head, unable to find my voice or any words of defense as tears streamed down my cheeks.
"What can she possibly say?" my aunt's voice broke through my sobs. "Ever since Gina moved into our home, she's always envied Emily—her toys, her clothes, her friends, everything. I thought it was just childish jealousy, but now…" She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, shaking her head as tears welled in her eyes.
"Honey, stop crying," my uncle said, pulling her close. "It's my fault for letting this happen. I only wanted to honor my brother's memory after he died, to take care of his daughter. I never thought she would repay us like this—by hurting our Emily."
Their words cut deeper than knives.
The people I had once called family were standing there, lying so convincingly that if this weren't about me, I might have believed them too.
I'd always known my uncle and his wife would take their daughter's side, so that part didn't surprise me.
But Ethan—the man I loved—the one who once promised to protect my dreams…
His silence hurt the most