Felt like I was drowning in negativity and lies and hatred and I couldn't surface no matter how hard I tried to swim upward toward air and light.
Nash had to physically take my phone away from me at one point because I kept doom-scrolling obsessively through hateful comments and making myself progressively worse.
Reading every single negative thing anyone said. Torturing myself with it. Unable to stop even though I knew it was destroying me. Like picking at a wound until it got infected.
Theo found me sobbing in the bathroom at 3am one night, having a panic attack so severe I thought I was dying. Grayson held me for hours while I cried about losing everything I'd worked for. Nash made me tea and cookies and sat with me in silence when I couldn't find words to express the pain.
But then something unexpected and beautiful happened.
Oakridge stepped up in a way I never could have imagined or predicted or dared to hope for.
The town literally closed itself off for a week. Completely. Put up actual physical barriers at the main roads. Businesses put up signs in their windows saying they weren't going to encourage or tolerate any slander against community members.
The town council called an emergency meeting and made an official public statement supporting me specifically by name. Local news stations covered the story extensively from my perspective. Patricia Morrison from the bakery did a televised interview about my character and baking skills and genuine kindness.
The mayor gave a speech. Said Oakridge doesn't abandon its own. They'd seen me arrive broken and watch me slowly heal. They'd witnessed my genuine interactions with community members and were confident about my character personally and wouldn't let outsiders destroy someone they cared about.
They insisted publicly and loudly that they weren't going to tolerate outsiders coming in specifically to harass one of their own residents. Even if it meant losing their holiday shopping rush which brings in significant revenue.They made it absolutely crystal clear that they stood firmly with me regardless of cost.
People came forward voluntarily with stories and testimonials.
Neighbors who'd seen me when I first arrived in Oakridge months ago looking like a completely heartbroken Omega who didn't have anything left to offer the world or any reason to keep going. Who'd watched me slowly painstakingly come back to life week by week. Who'd witnessed my genuine kindness and authentically sweet personality in countless small interactions. Who absolutely knew without doubt that I was real and authentic and nothing whatsoever like what Kael was falsely claiming.
Store owners talked about how polite I was. How I always remembered their names. That I asked about their families or left generous tips despite not having much for myself. How I complimented their products genuinely and recommended their businesses to others.
Small things that added up to a complete picture of who I actually was as a person.
My original fans—the ones who'd been there from day one when I only had three hundred followers and was just posting random content about ranch life—started making their own videos. Compilations of our interactions at community events. Screenshots of kind messages I'd sent them. Stories about meeting me in person and how genuine I was. Evidence that I was exactly who I claimed to be.
Some people tried to post negative content anyway.
Tried to ride the wave of the scandal for views and engagement. But the moment Charlotte's legal team sent official cease and desist letters threatening to take legal action against anyone who spoke ill of me without actual video evidence that could be presented to a jury in court, those videos disappeared real fast.
It led to this chaotic spiral where people who'd made defamatory content scrambled to delete everything. Influencers who'd jumped on the hate bandwagon suddenly backpedaled. Drama channels that had covered the 'scandal' made apology videos. The tide turned completely.
And now tomorrow is going to be the finale.
The court hearing where we present all our evidence. Where we prove Kael is lying. Where we destroy his credibility publicly and legally. Where this nightmare officially ends.
"At least it'll all be over before Christmas," I say quietly, trying to find the silver lining. "We can enjoy the holiday without this hanging over us."
Grayson smiles warmly, setting down the ornament he's holding.
"Come here, Reverie."
I walk over to where all three of them are now standing together by the tree. Grayson reaches behind him and picks upa medium-sized box wrapped in silver paper with a red bow. He holds it out to me with both hands.
I pout slightly, confused.
"What's this? We said no gifts until Christmas morning. We agreed!"
I look between the three of them. Theo and Nash are both standing next to Grayson, all three of them watching me with soft expressions.
Waiting. Expectant.
"This isn't a Christmas gift," Nash says gently. "This is something else. Just open it, Sugarplum."
I take the box carefully, feeling its weight.
