Maxim remained standing on the stage, his faceimpenetrable, but inside, fury was boiling. He was under immense strain. The failure was complete. Alina's lack of reaction to his touch waslouder than any lie. He felt he was on the verge of losing his prey. Alina was physically rejecting him in front of everyone, and that Alexey saw everything. Maxim understood: if he continued to pressure her now, he would lose her forever; she would leave, even if they stayed on the show. He couldn't risk it. He had to tie her to him,create an atmosphere of security. She had to believe he was her only reliable anchor. He decided thatcare was a stronger chain than passion. He instantly left the stage and headed to the kitchen.
Half an hour later, he entered Alina's room. She was sitting on the bed, knees hugged, her shoulders trembling. In his hands was a tray with herbalcalming teahe had brewed himself and a saucer with a slice of lemon. He placed the tray in front of her; his voice was soft, without a hint of anger. His concern for her, his emphasized calm and attention, made Alina feel even worse. She took the cup, feeling sharp, oppressivenausea. Everything had been tolerable untilAlexey reappearedin her life. Now, next to him, she couldn't control her emotions and feelings. Why was she so drawn to Lesha? And how could she explain thisdisgust for Maxim, who cared for her so much? The feeling of guilt and vileness was turning her inside out. She put the cup down on the small table, not touching the tea.
— I'm so sorry, Maxim,
She whispered, dropping her head.
— I disappointed you again. I couldn't...
Maxim sat next to her, but didn't touch her, maintaining distance—this was another calculated move. He took her hand, carefully, like acrystal vase.
— You can't disappoint me, Alina,
His voice was confident and calm.
—I rushed things and pushed too hard. Understand. Emotional outbursts are not always a manifestation of true love. What's much deeper isrespect and care for each other.
He gently squeezed her palm, looking directly into her eyes.
— We will catch up on the passion in our relationship later. When? When you feelcompletely safewith me.
Alina felt her guiltdouble. He was so patient, and she was so ungrateful.
— I ruined everything anyway. Now the viewers might decide that we are not a real couple,
She said, and her voice heldgenuine anxietyfor her mother's fate. Maxim squeezed her hand, demonstrating unwavering support.
— It's okay. If that happens and we get eliminated,I'll figure out how to pay off your debt myself. I don't care about this show. I only need you. Andwe will go through everything together—both victories and losses.
A few days later, before the announcement of the first couple to be eliminated, Karina was reviewing the security camera footage in her luxurious office. Her assistant, Marta, stood nearby, holding a tablet.
— Here, Karina Vladimirovna,
Marta said quietly, pointing at the screen.
— The hidden cameras recorded Evaspoiling the rope, and here... it looks like sheslipped something into Alina's drink.
Karina, without taking her eyes off the screen, slowly sipped her coffee. Fragments flashed on the video: tense conversations, secret meetings, Volodya's detachment, Eva's manipulations.
— Passions, Marta, areliterally boiling,
Karina commented with a satisfied smirk.
— The show is turning into a real drama. And that's wonderful.
She snapped the tablet shut.
— Now we need toadd fuel to the fire, Marta. Let's make our viewers nervous.
Finally, the day of the ceremony arrived. Karina stood on the small stage, wearing a sparkling black dress. The tense couples sat in a semicircle in front of her, barely breathing. She looked at the tablet, drawing all eyes.
— The viewers have voted,
Karina drew out, relishing her power over them. She took a theatrical pause, adjusting a non-existent fold in her dress.
— And today we say goodbye to the couple who, in their opinion,did not show sincerity or sufficient chemistry.
Alina, sitting next to Maxim, gripped his hand tightly. Her heart pounded against her ribs like a trapped bird. She felt that they would be the ones eliminated: her feelings for Maxim were too complicated, and with Alexey, she had nearly crossed a line. She didn't dare breathe, afraid that any sigh would draw Karina's attention. Eva, on the contrary, sat with her composure stretched to the limit, but her eyes darted frantically. Being eliminated now meantlosing her chance at Alexey. Her fingers, gripping her knee, were white with tension. Karina held the pause, which felt like an eternity.
— The couple leaving the show is...
Karina looked at the screen, and her lips curved into a small smile.
—Oleg and Victoria.
A noisy, deafeningreliefhung in the air. It was a sharp exhale that all the participants took simultaneously. Alina, feeling her body go limp, collapsed onto Maxim's shoulder. Eva seemed to relax for the first time that day, and a fleeting,triumphant lookcrossed her face. Volodya, however, did not share the relief. He did not want them to stay. The last few weeks spent in this world of lies and pretense had poisoned him. He was sure they would be eliminated, and even wished it, to finallyend this falsehood. His insincerity was the heaviest burden.
— No. Not just them. I don't want this falsity anymore.
The tension returned, becoming even thicker. Karina raised an eyebrow, not taking her eyes off the tablet.
—We are a fake couple too,
Volodya continued.
— Our sincerity is zero.
— What?!
Eva sharply cried out, her relief instantly turning to rage. She grabbed his arm, trying to feign the despair that the cameras loved.
— Volodya, what are you saying?! I...I love you!
Volodya shook his head, his gaze cold.
— No, Eva. You don't love anyone butmoney and power. Your love is a lie.I choose peace, not this toxic glamour. I agreed to this show for you, and I am leaving for myself.
Eva flared up and screamed, addressing everyone present:
— Who here is sincere?! We're not the only ones!Alina and Maxim are also a fake couple!She sleeps with Maxim while openly seducing Alexey!
Karina quickly walked up to Eva.
—Enough, Eva. Your role is over, and not because of the viewer vote.
She waved her hand, and the video was displayed on the large screen behind her. The footage from the hidden cameras showed Eva, in a secluded corner,spoiling the ropefor the challenge, and then, in another scene,slipping something into Alina's drink. Everyone present was in absolute shock at what they saw. The participants, who had just been arguing about fake feelings, were now faced with a real,vile threat. Alina, looking at the screen with horror, understood why she had been sick during the challenge. Maxim clenched his fists, his face turning to stone withragedirected at Eva.
— Hidden cameras recorded you attempting to harm a person.That is a crime. Our show is about love, not criminality.
Karina switched off the tablet.
— You are out, and in any case, you would have been disqualified today forattempted sabotage and causing harm.
Eva slumped into the chair, realizing she had lost.
As Volodya and Eva left the stage under guard escort, Alexey approached Karina.
— I underestimated you, — He said contritely.
— Is that all you want to say?
— And I was wrong. I'm sorry I accused you of something you didn't do.
— Your apologies are accepted.
— Where else are there hidden cameras that I don't know about? — He asked quietly, but with an icy squint. — In my room? Is that how you found out Maxim's and my secret?
Karina smiled slyly.
— Cameras can be anywhere, — She replied. — The moment you decided to stay here, you agreed to live by the rules of the show. Under the lens of cameras that, as you see, reveal the truth.
At the Main Gates of the Villa, Volodya and Eva, accompanied by security, walked towards two different cars. Volodya walked firmly, not looking back. He didn't even look at Eva, who was shuffling behind, trembling with rage and humiliation. To him, she was already part of the world he had just broken free from. Sitting in the car, he didn't rush to close the door. He looked with relief at the Villa, glittering in the last rays of the sun—a symbol of everything he was leaving behind.
— Goodbye, toxic glamour, — He mumbled. — I choose real life.
The door slammed shut, separating him from the lies. He chose a peaceful life. Eva, unlike Volodya, looked at the Villa with pain. It was not just a building; it was ashattered dream. It was unbearable, unfair, and inconceivably difficult for her to accept this defeat.
— It's all because of him! — She hissed, watching Volodya's car drive away. — That idiot! If it weren't for his damned "sincerity," we'd still be here!
She kicked her bag with furious anger, blaming anyone but herself for the collapse of her game. As Eva headed toward the open car door, Alexey appeared in the corridor. Eva flinched with sudden hope. Him! He couldn't let her leave like this!
— Lesha... — Her voice broke into a sob. She rushed to him, forgetting her pride. — You came! Do you want to stop me?
Alexey's voice was cold as steel:
— I came to make sure you were leaving, Eva. And to tell you something.
Eva recoiled, but immediately found the strength to counter-attack, to deny.
— If it weren't for Volodya, we wouldn't have been eliminated! Everyone here lies! Alina...
— Eva, you acted terribly, — Alexey cut her off. — With your lies, with your intrigues, you set Volodya up. And that's not the worst of it. You nearly harmed Alina. We have handed over all the evidence to the police.A criminal case will be opened against youwhen you return home.
Eva paled. She lunged at him, trying to grab his sleeve, seeking physical contact that might melt his coldness.
— No, Lesha! Listen! — She pleaded, her tears genuine, but their reason selfish. — I didn't act terribly! I acted like any woman in love! I just lost my mind because of my love for you! I did all this because I couldn't see you with anyone else!I love you! Do you understand?
Alexey pushed her away, his gaze icy, like a glacier.
— Eva, what you're doing has nothing to do with love. You don't even know me. It'sobsession. You must learn to take responsibility for your actions, — His voice rose slightly, drawing the attention of the guards. — Your role in the show is over. And so is your freedom.
In the control room, Karina watched Eva and Alexey, sipping a glass of wine.
— Such passions, — She commented, looking at the screen.
Marta, her assistant, frowned and asked:
— Karina, aren't you afraid Alexey will be angry when he finds out you're playing your own game?
Karina smirked, not taking her eyes off the monitor:
— He left me no choice. I won't let him ruin this show.The more he resists, the more he helps me twist the plot.