It had been two weeks since Cody and Celeste had parted ways, and the world was still reeling from their breakup. The media was in a frenzy, dissecting every moment of their relationship and its dramatic end. Headlines screamed of infidelity, burnout, and an irreparable divide, but Celeste knew the truth. Cody couldn't handle her power, couldn't keep up with the unstoppable force she had become.
What the public didn't know, though, was that Celeste was no longer the woman she used to be. The breakup, the hurt, the anger—it was all feeding into something darker now. Riot had whispered the words she had longed to hear: "You're ready, Celeste. The next step is here." And now, she was beginning to truly embrace it.
Celeste leaned against the bar in the dimly lit room, her phone buzzing relentlessly. She stared down at the screen, trying to block out the noise of the paparazzi outside her hotel room.
Jenna Ortega and Cody Simpson Confirm Relationship!
Jenna Ortega & Cody Simpson's New Romance is the Talk of Hollywood!
The headlines kept coming.
Cody had moved on quickly—within weeks of their breakup, he was already publicly dating Jenna Ortega, the fresh-faced young star. Celeste seethed with jealousy and rage, but instead of crumbling under the weight of her emotions, she did what she did best. She turned it into art.
Her anger became fuel.
Her next album was already starting to take shape. She had always been known for pushing boundaries, but this time, she wasn't going to be just another pop star. This album would shake the world—her anger, her heartbreak, her power, all woven into something raw, seductive, and unapologetically fierce. Pool Boys had introduced a darker, sexier side of her, but this album—her third—was going to be a revolution.
She'd already started the process in early March. The writing was feverish, late-night studio sessions blending with days spent meditating on her pain, her growth, and her power. And as the months passed, the music began to transform, evolving into a gritty mix of pop and R&B. It was full of angst, seduction, and a touch of rebellion. It was her—everything she was now—turned into a sound the world had never heard before.
The singles began to take shape. There was "Vengeance", a brutal, in-your-face anthem for anyone who had ever betrayed her. "Unchained", a soul-baring track that spoke to her liberation from Cody and the public's expectations. And "Guilty Pleasure", a slow, sultry piece with a hook so addictive that the world wouldn't be able to resist.
This album was going to change everything. She could feel it in her bones.
But it wasn't just her career that was evolving. Her personal life, too, was shifting, and she found herself adjusting to the new normal. After the breakup, her mother had moved out of the mansion. While Celeste had initially asked her to stay, she understood the need for space. Her mom now had her own place just down the street—a modest, quiet home that gave her the peace she craved. Celeste respected her mother's boundaries, but they remained close, texting daily, still sharing moments of connection.
As for Rollie, her sister—things had taken off for her too. The younger girl had launched her own music career and was already embarking on her first international tour. She had quickly become a rising star in her own right, her sound different from Celeste's but just as captivating. The two of them had a unique bond, and though they no longer lived together, they stayed in constant touch. Rollie was part of her family, part of her foundation.
Still, things had changed. Celeste had changed. She was no longer the girl who had just signed a record deal. She wasn't the girl who had relied on others to shape her path. She was a force in her own right.
And the darkness—oh, the darkness—was always there, lurking just beneath the surface.
As the summer of 2022 unfolded, the world began to notice the shift in Celeste's energy. The first single, "Cameron's Footage", dropped in late June, and the world went wild. It was a defiant anthem, unapologetic in its anger, the lyrics scathing and sharp. Fans and critics alike knew it was going to be something big—but no one knew just how big it would become.
She performed the single for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards, and the stage was electrifying. Dressed in black leather, with a performance that was part sexual tension, part raw power, Celeste commanded the crowd like a queen reclaiming her throne. She had never been more sure of herself, more connected to her own identity.
And then, Dominating dropped.
The track was pure fire—an R&B-infused pop banger that hinted at darker desires and deeper emotions. Her voice was haunting, almost dangerous, as it echoed through the speakers. The song hit the charts faster than anyone expected, and the fans couldn't get enough of her raw vulnerability mixed with her dominant energy. It was everything they had hoped for and more.
Celeste was a star, but this album was making her into something bigger. She wasn't just the girl with the catchy singles and the perfect Instagram photos. She was real. She was dangerous. She was untouchable.
But through it all, the ghosts of her past still haunted her—especially Cody.
Every time she saw a photo of him and Jenna together, the anger would bubble up again. But instead of letting it eat her alive, she used it. She harnessed that feeling, turning it into songs that would rattle the world. Every note, every lyric was an exorcism of the pain he had caused her.
By September, the album was almost finished. The world was eagerly awaiting its release, and Celeste could feel the anticipation mounting. She was more than ready. This was her time.
And as the final touches were being added in the studio, Riot's voice still echoed in her mind.
"You're not just a popstar anymore, Celeste. You're a goddess. The world is yours to shape. And soon, everyone will kneel at your feet."
She smirked at the thought.
She was ready for what was next.
This was only the beginning.