The studio reeked of paint.
Elián stood in the doorway, staring at the word smeared across the wall.
"LIAR."
It wasn't just vandalism.
It was a message.
And it was personal.
Cassian arrived minutes later.
He didn't speak.
Just stared.
Then turned to Elián. "We're done filming here."
Elián shook his head. "No."
Cassian's voice was low. "It's not safe."
Elián stepped forward. "It's never been safe."
Vivienne showed up with a PR team.
They took photos. Made calls. Drafted statements.
Elián watched them spin his fear into headlines.
"Rising Star Targeted in Artistic Attack."
"Studio Incident Sparks Industry Outcry."
He felt sick.
Later, he confronted Vivienne.
"You're using this," he said.
Vivienne didn't deny it.
"I'm protecting your brand."
Elián's voice cracked. "I don't want a brand."
Vivienne smiled — sharp, cold. "Then you shouldn't have become a story."
Cassian found Elián in the control room that night.
He was watching old footage — scenes he'd filmed weeks ago.
"I don't recognize myself," Elián whispered.
Cassian sat beside him. "That's because you've changed."
Elián turned. "Or because I was never real."
Cassian didn't respond.
But his hand brushed Elián's — just once.
And Elián didn't pull away.
The next morning, a video surfaced online.
Unreleased footage.
Elián. Crying. Alone.
The caption: "The truth behind the performance."
It went viral in hours.
Cassian traced the leak.
It didn't come from the studio.
It came from Vivienne's team.