Chapter 145: The Price of Fame

Four days passed in a foggy mess for Mariana. Stuck in the plain recovery room, she didn't know anything about the drama happening outside. The machines' steady buzz was her only friend, putting her deeper into sleep. Tiago, like a guard, barely left her side. He only left for important company stuff, and every time he came back, he silently hoped to see her eyes open and recognize him. But each time, it was the same creepy quietness, reminding him of the fight going on inside her. With Mariana sidelined, the production crew scrambled to fill the void. Behind-the-scenes snippets started popping up on social media – training sessions, makeup tests, even a few glimpses of Mariana filming her initial scenes. The marketing team, ever opportunistic, capitalized on the buzz. "A glimpse into the dedication and talent that brings your favorite characters to life," read the caption accompanying a montage of Mariana training with stunt doubles. The comment section exploded. "Mariana is a qu