Chapter 1

1.

Ten years ago, I sponsored a poor boy from a trailer park in West Virginia. Today, he’s Julian Gray, the biggest star in Hollywood.

Tonight’s awards ceremony was being broadcast live across the country.

I sat in the most obscure corner of the third-tier balcony at the Dolby Theatre, clapping for him from afar.

The host mentioned his difficult yet miraculous rise to fame, asking if there was anyone special he wanted to thank for being there along the way.

Julian gripped the heavy golden trophy, his captivating, deep-set eyes scanning the crowd with precision. Finally, they pierced through the darkness and landed right on me.

A blinding spotlight instantly hit my face. I instinctively raised a hand to shield my eyes, a little surprised.

Then, he leaned into the microphone, a look of disgust spreading across his face.

"Speaking of thanks, I have to mention that woman. She's the one who taught me what real harassment feels like."

The entire theater fell silent. The only sound was the clicking of camera shutters.

"She calls herself my 'benefactor.' For ten years, she's been writing me letters like a ghost, showing up at every single one of my red carpets, every premiere."

"Today, I want to take this opportunity to tell her just one thing: your sick fantasies make me sick."

Julian raised his voice, his words echoing through the theater. "I am standing here today because of me, and me alone. It has absolutely nothing to do with this crazy woman."

The crowd erupted.

My photo instantly blew up on Twitter. "Stalker Lady" shot to the number one trending topic in the nation in seconds.

At the same time, the massive screen behind him began playing a promotional video for his agency. Under the title of CEO and Founder, one name was displayed in bold letters―Victoria.

That’s my name.