The MC stepped onto the stage, smiling brightly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for this monumental launch!”
Applause filled the room. My heart began to beat faster. This was it.
“At this time, we would like to invite the visionary behind the success of this new developed platform…”
I straightened slightly.
“…Alpha Cain!”
The applause grew louder. My chest tightened.
And then—
“And of course, the face of our platform…”
A pause. A smile.
“Faye!”
The world seemed to go silent. I didn’t move. As they walked onto the stage together. As if it had always been meant to be them.
Faye took the microphone first, her smile radiant.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m truly honored to be the face of such an incredible social media platform.”
She looked at Alpha Cain.
“And I want to thank Alpha Cain for believing in me.”
More applause. Alpha Cain stepped forward, taking the microphone.
“This platform wouldn’t be what it is today without the right exposure,” he said smoothly. “Faye’s contribution to its popularity has been… exceptional.”
The words echoed in my ears. Exceptional.
“The company will cherish her,” he continued, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at her, “for life.”
Something inside me went completely still.
My fingers slowly tightened around the papers in my hand. The speech. My speech. The words I spent nights writing. The ideas I poured my heart into.
All of it… Discarded. Just like that.
I lowered my gaze. The ink blurred slightly.
I didn’t realize I was gripping the pages too tightly until they crumpled in my hands.
Around me, whispers spread. Phones lifted. Cameras turned.
I could feel it. The pity. The judgment. The silent labeling. The cast-away Luna.
I inhaled slowly. Then exhaled.
And for the first time… It didn’t hurt as much as I expected. Because I already knew. This was never mine anymore.
The event ended in celebration. Laughter. Congratulations. Endless praise directed at them.
I remained seated until the crowd began to thin.
And then—
“Stephanie.”
I looked up. Alpha Cain stood in front of me.
“What happened?” I asked quietly. “Why wasn’t I called on stage?”
He frowned slightly, as if the question itself was unnecessary.
“What for?” The words were simple.
“You gave some ideas,” he continued. “But that’s small compared to what Faye and I did in terms of distribution and promotion.”
Small. My chest tightened.