Valery Hartman, acclaimed novelist and author of Veil of Vengeance among many other bestsellers, was seated across from Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.
Jimmy grinned at the camera and said, "Welcome back to The Tonight Show! Tonight we have with us the brilliant Valery Hartman, one of America's top authors. Her novels have topped charts, broken records, and captivated readers worldwide."
Valery, poised and elegant, sat calmly in a tailored white suit paired with sleek heels. Her long, dark brown hair shimmered with copper undertones under the studio lights, cascading neatly over her shoulders. Petite in frame yet commanding in presence, she carried herself with quiet confidence. Her lips, glossed in a soft pink, curved into a subtle smile as she leaned back in her chair.
"Well, thank you everyone," she said warmly, her voice steady and composed. "And thank you, Jimmy. It's always a pleasure to be here."
Jimmy chuckled. "The pleasure's mine. Now, let's talk about Veil of Vengeance. The first volume was a massive success—you made a fortune off it. How's the second volume coming along?"
Valery nodded thoughtfully. "I'm working on it. It'll take some time, of course. The best things always do. I want it to be perfect."
Jimmy leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "Fair enough. But there's another question I've been dying to ask. Is it true that your most recent novel, Bloodbound: A Fated Seduction, is being picked up by Sony and Netflix? I've heard rumors about a contract for a series or even a movie. How true is that?"
Valery laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, you heard right. I actually signed the contract. The offer was 10 million grand , and believe it or not, it turned into a bit of an auction. Sony and Netflix weren't the only ones bidding. In the end, I went with the highest offer."
The audience erupted in applause, and Jimmy clapped along. "Wow! Five hundred bucks—hey, that's enough to buy popcorn for the premiere, right?" The crowd laughed. "Or maybe a couple of fancy chairs for the set. Who needs CGI when you've got folding chairs?"
Valery laughed, shaking her head. "You always know how to make light of things."
Jimmy grinned. "That's my job. But seriously, congratulations. That's huge."
As the segment wrapped up, Jimmy turned back to the camera. "Well, thank you everyone, and thank you, Valery. I know your schedule is packed, but we're grateful you made time for us tonight."
Valery smiled graciously. "Thank you, Jimmy. Thank you all—it's been wonderful."
The audience cheered as the lights dimmed and the show cut to commercial. Later that evening, Valery sat quietly on her couch, reflecting on the whirlwind of applause, laughter, and the surreal reality of her stories stepping off the page and onto the screen.
Valery's phone rang. It was her manager, Miss Alecia.
"Hartman," Alecia's voice was sharp, "how far are you with the novels?"
Valery sighed, pressing the phone to her ear. "I'll get on them tomorrow. I'll be working from home."
"Tomorrow?" Alecia snapped. "Valery, you need to get things done. The sequel to Veil of Vengeance is waiting, and don't forget your new novel New Beginnings. We don't have time. The deadline is coming fast, and your editors won't stop hounding me. You know how relentless they are."
Valery's voice softened. "I'm really sorry it's come to this. I don't think I can write anymore… I'm stuck. I've got writer's block."
Her manager cut her off immediately. "No one cares about your writer's block. You have to push through it. Money waits for no one." And with that, Alecia hung up.
Valery stared at the phone, her chest tight. "Let me call Lilith," she muttered.
She dialed. The line rang several times before Lilith picked up. "What's up, Valery?"
"Can I talk to you?" Valery asked quietly.
"Of course," Lilith replied warmly. "You can talk to me anytime. And by the way, I loved your appearance on The Tonight Show. Though you didn't get to say much."
"Lilith, hear me out," Valery said, her voice trembling.
"Alright," Lilith said gently.
"I think I'm tired. I want to quit writing novels and books. Just a few minutes ago, I told my manager about my writer's block, but she doesn't understand. It feels like I can't write anymore, not the way I used to. I've got too much on my plate. Maybe I should pursue acting… or singing."
Lilith paused, then spoke with care. "I'm glad you opened up to me. I get it. But maybe you should try to find inspiration again. Read your own work. You never like revisiting your novels, but it might surprise you. Bloodbound was my favorite—start with that one."
Valery gave a faint laugh. "I hope it works. Seriously. But thank you."
"And about acting and singing," Lilith continued, "I know you've got talent, but that world is brutal. Look at the K-pop idols—you get criticized, controlled, put on strict diets. I'm living proof of how harsh it can be. As a novelist, the pressure is different, but at least you have more freedom. Don't give up writing. You know how big of a fan I am. Get your act together."
Valery smiled through the heaviness. "Okay, okay. I'll do it. Thanks a lot. Love you."
"Love you lots," Lilith replied. "We'll talk tomorrow. I need to get back to my workout."
When the call ended, Valery headed to the library in her house. She pulled Bloodbound: A Fated Seduction off the shelf. "Well, let's see how this goes," she whispered.
She carried the book down to the kitchen, poured herself a glass of wine, and settled at the table. Opening to the first chapter, she began to read.
"Okay… this is nice," she murmured. "I can't believe I wrote this." Her eyes widened as she turned the page. "Damn. Why would her stepbrother and sister conspire against her? Selling her off and stealing the throne… this is brutal."
She leaned back, glass in hand, shaking her head. "I didn't think this twist would hit the character so hard."
For the first time in weeks, Valery felt a spark—small, but real.
Valery kept turning the pages, her glass of wine never far from her hand. The more she read, the deeper she sank into the story, until the wine left her just a little tipsy. She muttered to herself, voice thick with disbelief, "Even if everything else is messy, why the hell is he abusing her? And why did her groom sell her to another man? How much pain was she supposed to endure? She's such a weakling…"
Shaking her head, she closed the book and climbed the stairs, her body heavy with exhaustion. She collapsed onto her bed and drifted into sleep.
The next morning, she woke with a dull ache spreading through her body. "Probably just a hangover," she whispered, forcing her eyes open for a moment before slipping back into unconsciousness.
When she woke again, her scream tore through the silence. She wasn't in her bedroom anymore. Cold stone walls surrounded her, damp and shadowed. Chains rattled at her wrists and ankles. She was in a dungeon.
Her cry echoed, and within seconds, guards rushed in. Their armor clanged as they approached. Valery tried to move, but the iron shackles held her fast. Panic surged through her veins.