Page 269 of Invisible Bars

Aaliyah took a cautious step back, her thighs bumping against the edge of the couch.

“You smeared my name and tried to turn my life into a damn circus. And for what purpose?”

I leaned in just enough so she could feel the heat radiating from my body.

“A few nights I have forgotten?” I continued. “Memories I wiped clean the moment the hotel door clicked shut behind me?”

Aaliyah’s eyes widened, blinking rapidly as she fought back tears, fully aware that her vulnerability wouldn’t sway.

“You thought you could play with fire and not get burned?” I scoffed. “The only thing is, I’m not fire, Aaliyah; I’m the smoke that chokes you out after.”

“It wasn’t like that, Imanio?—”

“Don’t use my name like we’re close!” I barked, my voice echoing in the tense room.

The sheer force of my words made her knees buckle, and I could see the fear flicker in her eyes.

“I just wanted?—”

“To be relevant? To feel wanted? You embarrassed yourself for free… and you gon’ apologize the same way you disrespected me.”

“You want me to take it down?”

I chuckled. “Take it down?” I shook my head. “Nah.” I snatched her phone from her trembling hand. “You going live.”

Aaliyah stared at me like I slapped her. “Live?”

“You’re going to tell everyone thetruth—that you lied,” I kept going, my tone steady. “You’ll cry. You’ll beg. You’ll admit that you’re just a delusional person who couldn’t handle rejection. And after you’re done…”

I placed her phone on the ring light stand, the glow illuminating her anxious face, then reached into my pocket and pulled out a small bottle of pills.

“You’re going to swallow these pills,” I stated, allowing my words to sink in.

Aaliyah's breath caught in her throat, a look of shock spreading across her features.

“W-what?”

“You wanted my attention, didn’t you?” I said, shaking the pills as if they were dice. “Well now you have an entire audience to perform for.”

Tears began to well in Aaliyah’s eyes, reflecting her realization of the situation.

“You can’t be serious.”

“You have five minutes, Aaliyah,” I warned, my voice lowering to a chilling calm. “Either you go live... or I'll do it for you.”

Aaliyah looked at her phone, and the comments started flooding in; each one was a sharp reminder of the mess she had created. Rumors had been flying since her post earlier—people were tuned in, expecting more drama. And soon, she was about to deliver an unforgettable show.

Aaliyah’s phone trembled in her hand as she pressed the “Go Live” button on Instagram, her heart racing with dread. Her eyes were puffy, her voice dry from crying.

Comments poured in before she even opened her mouth:

@messy_monaa:“Oh, here we go!”

@teasippin_tasha:“Sis bout to spill more tea??”

@concerned_keisha:“She looks scared.”

@whatthehell_dre:“What’s this about?”