Chapter 4: The Perfect Storm
The following week was a whirlwind. Everywhere Alara turned, it seemed like the world was conspiring against her. The hashtag #EthanAndScarlettForever dominated Twitter trends, and fan accounts were churning out endless edits, memes, and fanfiction imagining a life where Ethan and Scarlett were together.
Alara scrolled through her For You page on TikTok, her stomach sinking as she watched yet another viral post.
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TikTok Video by @FanGirlEdits
"Reasons Ethan and Scarlett are meant to be together:"
1. "They've been friends for years!"
2. "Their chemistry on-screen is unmatched."
3. "Ethan lights up around her in interviews, unlike with Alara, who always looks annoyed."
The video ended with a dramatic montage of Ethan and Scarlett laughing together on set. The caption read: "Manifesting this couple đ„° #Goals #ScarlettAndEthan".
The video had 5.7 million views, 1.2 million likes, and 37,000 comments:
"THIS is the real love story." (82k likes)
"Alara is literally ruining everything. She needs to go." (56k likes)
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Alara tossed her phone onto the couch and rubbed her temples. She couldn't escape it. The world had decided she didn't belong in Ethan's life, and no matter what she did, the narrative only grew worse.
The final blow came when an article popped up on a major celebrity gossip site:
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Headline:
"Inside Ethan Carter and Scarlett Leigh's 'Undeniable Bond': Are They More Than Friends?"
Excerpt:
"Sources close to the Shadows in the Rain production claim that Ethan Carter and Scarlett Leigh have been inseparable on set. While both deny any romantic involvement, their natural chemistry has fans speculating if there's more to the story. Could this be Hollywood's next power couple?"
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The article had no real evidence but played heavily on fan speculation, amplifying the noise. Alara knew how these things worked, but it still stung.
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Instagram Reaction
Scarlett posted a photo from the Shadows in the Rain press tour, featuring herself and Ethan sitting next to each other, laughing. It was harmless, but the timing couldn't have been worse for Alara. The post hit 4 million likes in under 24 hours, with comments like:
"They look so happy together. #ScarlettAndEthan forever." (102k likes)
"Imagine being Alara and seeing this. đŹ"
Meanwhile, Alara's own posts were plagued with hate comments. Even her older photosâonce filled with complimentsâwere now battlefields of criticism.
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Enter a New Ally
Amid the chaos, a voice of reason emerged from an unexpected place. Maya Torres, a famous YouTuber known for calling out internet toxicity, uploaded a video titled "The Alara Bennett Witch Hunt Needs to Stop."
Maya's voice was calm but firm as she addressed her 10 million subscribers.
"This whole situation with Alara Bennett is a prime example of how the internet loves to tear successful women down. Let's break this down. The rumors about her being controlling? Completely baseless. The Ivy incident? Proven fake. And yet, people are still attacking her, all because she's dating Ethan Carter. Why is it so hard to believe that a beautiful, successful woman can have a healthy relationship?"
The video went viral, amassing 3.8 million views and sparking discussions across platforms. While many fans doubled down on their hatred, others began to question the narrative.
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Twitter Buzz
"Maya Torres spitting facts as always. Y'all really need to leave Alara alone." (45k likes)
"Okay, but I still don't like Alara. Scarlett and Ethan just make more sense." (30k likes)
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Alara watched Maya's video with a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. It was comforting to know that not everyone hated her, but it didn't erase the damage already done.
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Ethan's Dilemma
Meanwhile, Ethan was growing increasingly frustrated. His attempts to ignore the rumors had backfired, making it seem like he didn't care. During an interview for Shadows in the Rain, a reporter pressed him on the subject.
"So, Ethan, fans are absolutely loving your chemistry with Scarlett. Some are even calling you Hollywood's next great love story. How does Alara feel about all this attention?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Alara's an incredible woman, and I don't appreciate the internet creating drama where there is none. Scarlett and I are good friends, but that's all. I hope people can respect that."
The clip went viral, with mixed reactions:
"Finally, Ethan defending Alara! We love to see it." (120k likes)
"He sounds so annoyed. Maybe there's trouble in paradise? đ" (98k likes)
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A Brewing Storm
By the end of the week, the situation had only escalated. Another fake rumor circulatedâa supposed "leak" of Ethan and Scarlett holding hands at a private dinner. The photo was clearly edited, but that didn't stop it from spreading like wildfire.
Alara knew she couldn't keep ignoring it. She needed to fight back, but how? A heartfelt post? A public statement? Or something more drastic?
As she stared out the penthouse window, the city lights twinkling below, Alara made a decision. She wasn't going to let the internet dictate her life anymore.