By the next morning, Mira's name no longer needed an introduction.
She heard it everywhere.
In the hallway.
Behind lockers.
Between half-lowered voices that stopped when she passed.
"That's her."
"The one who embarrassed Ariana."
"She's smart… but isn't she poor?"
"I heard her mom married into money."
Mira walked through it all without changing her pace.
She had learned early in life that rumors only grew louder when you tried to fight them.
---
Ariana sat in class with her arms crossed tightly, nails digging into her palms.
She could feel it—the shift.
People who once leaned toward her now glanced past her. Teachers looked at Mira with interest. Even students who had never spoken to Mira before now smiled at her.
It made Ariana's chest ache.
At lunch, Ariana stood up suddenly.
"Let's clear something up," she said loudly.
The cafeteria quieted.
Mira looked up slowly.
"You think you're impressive because you study hard?" Ariana continued, her voice sharp. "Or because you act innocent?"
Mira didn't respond.
Ariana smirked. "Don't pretend. Everyone knows why you're here. Your mother married rich. You just followed."
A few students laughed nervously.
Mira stood.
"My mother's choices," she said calmly, "are not mine."
Ariana scoffed. "Of course you'd say that."
Mira met her eyes. "And your insecurity is not my responsibility."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Ariana's face flushed red.
---
That afternoon, Mira found her locker vandalized.
GOLD DIGGER was written across it in thick black marker.
She stared at the word for a long moment.
Then she pulled out a cloth and wiped it clean.
Someone watched from the end of the hall.
They said nothing.
But the image stayed with them.
---
When Mira returned to the mansion that evening, Liam was home for the weekend.
He noticed it immediately.
"You look… different," he said gently as they passed in the hallway.
"I'm fine," Mira replied.
Liam didn't push.
But as he watched her walk away—back straight, steps steady—he frowned slightly.
Something was wrong.
And no one was saying it out loud.
---
Upstairs, Ariana slammed her door shut.
Her phone buzzed nonstop with messages.
Some comforting.
Some mocking.
Some cruel.
She threw it onto the bed and covered her face with her hands.
Why her?
Why Mira?
She had everything—and still, it wasn't enough.
And that scared her more than hatred ever could.