“Listen carefully,” said Bryan’s henchman. “If Miss Livia hesitates, you speak up. If she makes a mistake, you correct her. You’ll make sure she wins.”
My hands trembled as they fitted me with an earpiece and a mic. The same ones Livia was using covertly.
“Do it right. If not, Mr. Bryan will put your imprisoned father in danger.”
That night, my eyes were forced to stare at the screen. Every one of Livia’s movements stole my life away.
My heart went numb. Watching Livia officially declared the winner using a recipe that was actually mine. First place. The audience cheered for her. The media scrambled to take her picture.
And then, she spoke softly through the mic connected directly to my ear. Smiling. “Elena, actually, I haven’t forgotten a single thing about your recipe.”
Her laughter hurt my ears. “I just… wanted you to see this glamorous competition and your dream. Aren’t I so kind?”
My chest burned.
I pushed the door open roughly and ran out of that dark room. I could barely breathe. Livia’s words burned through my soul. All the reality that had hit me made me nearly lose my mind.