Chapter 5
748words
Just as we'd predicted, he resorted to the desperate man's final play: mud-slinging.
"Chloe, guess what?" Ava lounged on the sofa, scrolling through her phone while speaking as casually as if discussing the weather. "According to our mutual friends, I'm now a jealous, controlling, psychotic woman."
I placed a plate of cut fruit before her. "Oh? What else?"
"Apparently, I broke up with him because I couldn't handle his impending 'great success.' I was terrified he'd outshine me, so I clipped his wings before he could soar." Ava couldn't contain her contemptuous laughter.
She showed me several "consolation" messages from friends, subtly suggesting she should be more "understanding" of a man's need for career and respect.
"Respect?" I sneered. "A parasite who uses a woman's money to bankroll his gay porn side hustle wants to talk about respect?"
Ava delicately popped a piece of melon into her mouth.
"Don't get worked up, Chloe," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "This is perfect material for us."
I immediately understood her meaning.
She hadn't posted a single explanation or complaint on social media—that would be amateur hour, dragging her into a mud-slinging contest.
She'd chosen a more sophisticated—and lethal—approach.
"Get my ring light and tripod," she stood, clapping her hands. "We're making TikToks."
The study transformed into a makeshift studio. She changed into a flattering V-neck cashmere sweater, applied subtle but flawless makeup, and looked radiantly unbothered—no trace of post-breakup distress.
She opened TikTok, where #GaslightingCheck and #WorstDateStory were trending.
"Perfect." She winked and hit record.
For her first video, she joined the #GaslightingCheck challenge with light jazz playing in the background.
"When I discovered he used my credit card to treat his friends to a Michelin dinner, then posted 'working hard is all about giving the bros a good life'," she told the camera with an exaggerated "are you kidding me" expression.
"When I confronted him, he said 'babe, why are you so materialistic? Talking about money really hurts our relationship'." She rolled her eyes with Oscar-worthy dramatic flair.
She ended by smiling sweetly at the camera, holding up a card reading "SAY NO TO GASLIGHTING".
Throughout the video, she never named names or cursed—just offered witty observations and precise details.
For her second video, she tackled #WorstDateStory.
"Worst date story?" She looked thoughtful. "Let me think..."
"Once my date told me he had a million-dollar startup that needed 'seed money.' Sounds promising, right?"
She paused, smiling mysteriously.
"Later I discovered his 'startup' was selling videos of himself sleeping with another man. Oh, and that man was his best friend."
She shrugged at the camera with a "what can you do?" expression and added a comical sound effect.
"So ladies," she concluded, "when a man talks about his dreams, first check if those dreams require your wallet, and second... if they're actually legal."
She posted both videos with trending hashtags.
I could imagine Liam's face when these videos hit. The insider details would slice through his web of lies like surgical knives.
"Well played." I raised my coffee cup in salute.
"This is just the appetizer." Ava chuckled softly, closing TikTok.
The next few hours were nothing short of miraculous.
Ava's phone vibrated non-stop as likes, comments, and shares exploded.
"OMG! Girl! This sounds WAY too familiar!"
"'Talking about money hurts feelings'—my ex's favorite line! Do they all attend the same workshop?"
"Using my resources while claiming it's his own talent—so real! Just dumped my man yesterday for the same reason!"
"Wait... selling videos? There's a story here! Spill the tea, sis!"
Her followers surged by hundreds of thousands overnight, with views quickly breaking ten million. She didn't respond to comments—just watched everything unfold.
Public opinion became her sharpest weapon. Rather than playing the weeping victim, she transformed into a witty, powerful queen who could laugh at her situation—an attitude that won her overwhelming support.
Liam tried painting her as crazy, but she effortlessly proved herself more clear-headed, rational, and entertaining than ever.
A true hunter never wrestles with prey in the mud.
Just as Ava was about to put her phone down for a bath, an Instagram DM request appeared.
The avatar was unfamiliar, but she recognized the username.
It was Mike—an acquaintance from Liam's circle who'd been at the Michelin dinner.
Ava raised an eyebrow and opened the message.
"Hey Ava, it's Mike. Just saw your video... Liam's been saying some weird stuff lately. You okay?"
