Bonus Chapter: Redoing my Life, The Conspiracy

I did this for fun

Daniel and Margot sat curled up on the couch, a shared blanket draped across their legs, watching a particularly deranged video Margot’s mom had forwarded with the subject line “Very funny.”

The video was a conspiracy clip “explaining” Daniel’s rise in the entertainment industry.
On-screen, Daniel’s face loomed large—distorted, shadowed, and overlaid with flickering triangle symbols. His eyes had been digitally altered to glow an unholy red.

“He is the vessel of the Beast,” the narrator intoned with theatrical dread.

The footage cut to Daniel walking a red carpet in slow motion. The narrator zoomed in on a frame of him adjusting his cufflink, pausing just as his fingers naturally fell into a vaguely triangular shape.

“The Masonic hand gesture. Clear as day.”

Next came a close-up of Daniel blinking—now edited so his pupils glitched reptilian, like a sci-fi horror cut-scene.

Margot snorted into her wine glass, barely avoiding a spill. “Oh my God.”

Daniel blinked, still staring at the screen. “Okay…it was funny until he said my mom was literally fucked by the devil.”

Margot leaned into his shoulder, giggling. “Still funny, though.”

Daniel sighed. “I mean…I guess it’d be cool if it were the devil from that show—the charming British one.”

Margot lifted her head. “Which one?”

Daniel shook his head, remembering the show isn’t out yet. “It’s nothing.”

On-screen, the video continued its descent into madness.

“He is reshaping the world in the image of the Beast—and he has already begun by CORRUPTING YOUNG STARLETS like Margot Robbie.”

Margot clapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with laughter.

“Her very soul…is under his influence.”

“I mean, they’re not wrong,” Daniel said, throwing an arm over her shoulder.

Margot gasped through her giggles. “Stop!”

The video still wasn’t done.

“And mark my words—soon there will be a harem. Of actresses…even actors. All bound to his will.”

That sent Margot completely over the edge; she laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

Daniel suddenly rose from the couch in one fluid, exaggerated motion.

In a booming voice he declared, “Margot! Listen to your dark messiah!”

Margot, sipping the last of her wine, set the glass down and matched his energy instantly. “Yes, my dark messiah.”

“You must build me a harem of stars!” Daniel commanded, gesturing grandly toward the heavens.

Margot bowed, suppressing a laugh. “Of course, my lord. Who shall be first?”

“First…Jennifer Connelly,” Daniel proclaimed.

Margot nodded solemnly. “Fair.”

“Then…Jennifer Garner!” he announced, voice rising.

Margot tilted her head. “All right—very early 2000's, but I see it.”

“And finally…” Daniel paused for effect. “Jennifer Aniston!”

Margot raised an eyebrow. “Who are you, Ben Affleck? Give me some names that aren’t Jennifer.”

That cracked Daniel wide open; he burst out laughing.

She smirked, clearly pleased with herself.

“Okay then…Avril Lavigne,” Daniel managed between laughs.

Margot blinked. “Wait—hang on. Isn’t she dead?”

Daniel snapped out of character, confused. “What?! No! Or—I hope not?”

Margot leaned in with a conspiratorial glint. “Are you sure it’s not the clone?”

“Not this again.”

He straightened his spine and resumed the theatrics. “ENOUGH! The time has come…I shall corrupt you now!”

Margot gasped dramatically, lifting her arms in surrender. “Yes! Yes—corrupt away!”

But Daniel stopped abruptly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mmm…actually, maybe not today. Bit tired, to be honest.”

Margot narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?”

“I did corrupt you when I ambushed you in the shower like two hours ago,” he reasoned, flopping back onto the couch. “And it’s been a long day.”

She didn’t reply.

Daniel glanced at her. “Why are you looking at me like that? …Margot? Mags?”

Still silent—just a slow, devilish smirk spreading across her face.

Then, without warning, she pounced, tackling him onto the couch with a gleeful growl.