Chapter 1: The fallen star(Remake)

As Raven stepped out of the car, the blinding flash of cameras hit her like a wall. The air was thick with the chaotic energy of journalists, their questions overlapping in a jumbled mess.

As she moved toward the reception, a reporter shouted, "Raven, got any comments on the rumors?"

She flinched but kept walking, eyes forward. "No comment," she said, barely audible over the commotion.

'Why did I ever think I could escape this? Every camera flash feels like a jab, a reminder of how far I've fallen.'

The smell of sweat and desperation was heavy in the humid air. It felt like the crowd's stares were pressing down on her chest, suffocating her.

Trying to keep her composure, she ignored the journalists, knowing they were after details about her dismissal. She hurried into the reception area.

Inside, the reception area buzzed with activity. Patients and staff moved with a sense of purpose that Raven couldn't grasp. She stood there, feeling out of place, her eyes scanning for something familiar.

'This place feels like another planet. How did I go from the spotlight to this forgotten corner? No one here cares about my story.'

The flickering fluorescent lights cast a cold, uninviting glow on the stark white walls. Her footsteps echoed in the corridor, each one a reminder of the path she now had to walk.

The air was sterile, with a faint smell of disinfectant, but it felt oppressively thick, as if every breath was weighed down by invisible chains. The walls seemed to close in with every step, reflecting her own sense of emptiness and confinement.

In that moment, Raven couldn't help but think back to her past.

At nineteen, she had been thrust into fame, starring in a blockbuster movie that made $800 million. But with fame came intense pressure and temptations she wasn't ready for.

Now, three years later, her once-bright career was overshadowed by struggles with addiction and, more significantly, her true self.

She pushed those thoughts aside, not wanting to dwell on them, and just wished for everything to be over soon.

Raven gritted her teeth and signed the check-in form. Each pen stroke felt like a battle. 'Why can't they see the truth?* she thought, frustration mounting. *I'm not the villain here.'

'They only see the scandal, not the real fight inside me.'

She didn't think addiction was her biggest issue—it was the world constantly pushing her into trouble, the agency demanding more, the directors ignoring her. She just wished someone could understand how much it was all taking out of her.

After finishing with the check-in, a nurse led her to her room.

Raven's room was a tiny, clinical space with no personal touches. The air conditioner hummed monotonously, offering little comfort. She sat on the edge of the stiff mattress, hugging herself against the chill.

'How did it come to this? From glitz and glamour to this cold room. I used to be someone important. Now I'm just another patient, another face in the crowd.'

The silence was heavy, amplifying her loneliness. The vibrant world she left behind felt like a distant dream, replaced by this stark reality.

Though she wasn't a fan of therapy, she felt an aching loneliness. Following the nurse's directions, she entered the therapy room.

The therapy room was sparse, with only a couple of chairs and a small table. Raven sat across from Dr. Larson, whose kind eyes and gentle demeanor were a stark contrast to the sterile surroundings.

"Raven," Dr. Larson began softly, "let's talk about what's really bothering you." Raven's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. "I'm not the villain here," she whispered, more to herself than to the therapist.

'Do they really think talking will fix this? How can words bridge the gap between who I am and who the world thinks I should be?'

Her thoughts wandered back to the set of her last movie, where the atmosphere was electric with cameras and crew.

In full costume, she stood beside Ethan, the lead actor. "Take five!" the director called. Raven exhaled, trying to shake off her exhaustion. "You okay?" Ethan asked, concern evident. Raven nodded, forcing a smile. Little did she know, this set was where the rumors that would later haunt her began.

In reality, Raven, who was more interested in women, had to pretend to be interested in Ethan. Deep down, she felt he was a hypocrite, pursuing her despite being married.

Her agency knew about her preferences but advised her against pursuing them. To maintain her superstar status, she sacrificed her personal life and became entirely career-focused.

She remembered the cold, impersonal agency office, walls lined with posters of past successes. Sitting across from her agent, whose smile never reached his eyes, she heard, "We need you to keep a low profile." Raven clenched her fists, frustration bubbling. "I just want to be myself," she whispered. "Not an option," her agent replied curtly.

The issue flared up again three months ago. The director wanted her to create a scandal, but she refused. Despite the media's claims, her agency did nothing to stop it, instead sacrificing her to boost Ethan's career.

Rumors spread quickly, accusing her of being involved with Ethan. When Ethan confessed and played the victim, the media and public labeled her a homewrecker. The injustice gnawed at her, leaving her feeling trapped.

One night, overwhelmed, she found herself at the liquor cabinet. Shaking, she took a sip that seared her throat, numbing the pain just enough. Hours later, empty bottles scattered around her room were silent witnesses to her despair.

Before long, Raven was in a public rehabilitation center for those court-mandated to attend, with a six-month stint ahead. Her rehab news sparked outrage, and her agency terminated her contract. With her career in jeopardy, the odds of returning seemed slim.

After the therapy session, Raven was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as she returned to her room.

Before drifting off, she had one last thought.

'What's the point of trying to change? Even if I want to, the world will always see me through my mistakes. Can I really escape this darkness?'

That night, as she slept fitfully, a strange white light entered the rehabilitation center, bypassing the nurse and going unnoticed by everyone. The light moved through people, passed through Raven's room, and entered her body.

The next morning, Raven jolted awake, her head pounding. She clutched her temples, gasping for breath.