Six

Natalie sat in the back of a sleek, black car, her eyes scanning through the latest reports about Daisy's new film project. She grinned coldly, knowing that her first real strike was about to land. Her fingers tapped impatiently on the armrest as she thought of the perfect opportunity to remind Daisy of her place. Despite her efforts to stay under the radar, Natalie wasn’t going to let things slide any longer. She had been watching quietly from the sidelines, waiting for the perfect moment to act, and now, it was here.

Daisy had just landed one of the biggest roles of her career, a chance to star in an international blockbuster that would elevate her status in the industry. The role was everything Daisy had been working toward—a complex, layered character that would show off her true acting abilities. It was a major stepping stone, and one that Natalie had once thought belonged to someone else. But now, Daisy was taking it, and that simply wouldn’t do.

She made a quick call, her voice low and steady, giving instructions to the person on the other end. “Make sure the cables on set aren’t as secure as they should be. Not enough to be obvious, but enough for an ‘accident.’ We’ll see how well our little star can shine when her world crumbles.”

---

On the set of her new movie, Daisy was filled with nervous energy. She had rehearsed the stunts over and over, but today felt different—like something was slightly off. As the crew prepared the final safety checks for a critical scene, she couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right. Pushing it aside, Daisy focused on her work. She wasn’t the type to let nerves get in the way of her performance.

“Action!” the director called out, and Daisy leaped into the scene, her body moving with grace and precision. She fought through a choreographed series of moves, culminating in a high-flying stunt that required her to be suspended by a wire.

But just as she reached the climax of the stunt, the world around her seemed to slow down. The wire—her only support—suddenly gave way. Daisy felt a sharp jolt, and before she could react, she was plummeting to the ground. The impact was brutal, and a sharp pain surged through her leg and side as the set erupted in chaos.

“Cut!” someone screamed, but it was too late. Daisy was on the ground, gasping for breath, surrounded by horrified crew members rushing to her aid.

---

The hospital room was cold and sterile, the soft beeping of machines the only sound breaking the silence. Daisy lay there, her body bruised and broken, but her spirit still fighting. The door to her room swung open quietly, and a familiar presence filled the space.

Louis stood in the doorway, his eyes locked on her, a storm of emotions swirling behind them. Without saying a word, he crossed the room in a few quick strides, his usual composed demeanor shattered by the sight of her lying there, hurt and vulnerable.

“Daisy…” he whispered, his voice thick with worry. He sat down at her bedside, gently taking her hand in his. For a moment, he couldn’t speak. The overwhelming fear of losing her, the anger that someone might have done this on purpose—it all crashed down on him like a tidal wave.

“I’m fine, Louis,” Daisy managed to say, her voice weak but steady. “It was just an accident.”

Louis’ jaw clenched, his grip on her hand tightening. “It wasn’t just an accident, Daisy. Someone sabotaged those cables. I know it.”

Daisy sighed, knowing she couldn’t hide much from him. “I don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling… someone might be behind this.”

Louis’ eyes darkened, the protective, possessive side of him roaring to life. “Who? Tell me, and I’ll handle it.”

“No, Louis,” Daisy said firmly, her voice gaining strength. “I’ll handle this. I need to do it on my own terms.”

He leaned in closer, his gaze piercing hers. “Your battle is my battle, Daisy. I’m not letting you go through this alone.”

Daisy closed her eyes, feeling the weight of his words. She knew how fiercely Louis loved her, how he would stop at nothing to protect her. But she couldn’t drag him into this—not yet.

“I promise I’ll find out who did this,” she said quietly. “But you have to let me take the lead on this.”

Louis’ face softened slightly, though the tension in his body remained. “Fine. But the moment things get out of control, I’m stepping in.”

Daisy smiled weakly. “Deal.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle and full of unspoken emotion. “You scared me today,” he admitted, his voice breaking. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

“You won’t,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere, Louis. Not this time.”

Louis leaned down and kissed her forehead softly, his lips lingering there as if to reassure himself she was still real. “Good,” he murmured. “Because I don’t think I could survive losing you again.”

They stayed like that for a while, the weight of the day’s events hanging in the air between them. Despite the pain, the fear, and the uncertainty, there was one thing Daisy knew for sure—Louis would always be there, no matter what.

---

As Louis held Daisy in his arms, another figure watched from the shadows, far away from the hospital’s reach. Natalie stood in front of a large window, staring at the city lights below, her mind already calculating her next move.

“This was only the beginning,” she whispered to herself, her lips curling into a cold smile. The accident had been a small taste of what she was capable of. And Daisy? She would soon realize that no matter how hard she fought, the shadows would always be one step ahead.