Seeing the Northern Lights Chapter 1

I was a model, five years in the industry, and I’d been criticized for everything imaginable. Worse, I’d offended the darling of the heir to the Holt Corporation.

I was blacklisted, my name dragged through the mud. In the glittering world of fame and fortune, I was taught a harsh lesson.

Then, the internet dug up my past: I had once been engaged to that very heir, Jason Holt.

The trolls were ecstatic.

"No wonder Jason Holt hates her so much. With her background, how could she ever be Mrs. Holt?"

"It has to be Miss Miller. She’s sweet, a talented actress, and the perfect future daughter-in-law for the Holts."

I walked out of the hospital. For the first time in a long while, I opened my social media and posted a single line.

"An engagement can be broken at any time. I will never marry."

Later, I went to the Arctic to see the aurora. I left one final message.

"Saw the northern lights. In this one second, I was happy."

* * *

The moment I was diagnosed with bone cancer, my world went numb.

Leaning against the hospital corridor, my eyes felt dry and empty, my limbs refusing to move.

My manager, Sarah, stood frozen for a long moment before gently pulling my head onto her shoulder.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered. "Maybe there'll be a miracle. You can be cured."

I didn’t cry. The world just felt… quiet.

Finally, I was the one to break the silence.

"Sarah, let's go over my current contracts. I want to finish everything up early, and then I'll retire."

My words shattered her composure. She hugged me tightly, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

The next day, I was trending for all the wrong reasons.

"Washed-up model Clara Lynn spotted at hospital, rumored to have had an abortion for a wealthy tycoon."

"Zoom in on the picture. Her eyes are red. The tycoon must not have wanted the baby. She tried to trap him and failed."

"LOL, this is hilarious. The most shameless person in entertainment."

"Three years ago, there were rumors she was beaten up by the tycoon's wife."

Sarah stormed into my apartment, fuming. "This is absolute garbage."

"That's it. I'm suing them for defamation. These rumor-mongers need to be held accountable."

But the company’s response was cold. "Sarah, bad press is still press."

It was clear they had no intention of taking down the posts. They’d already branded me as that kind of celebrity.

I shook my head, signaling for Sarah to let it go.

The online hate… I truly couldn't feel it anymore.