In a world where fame can be as sharp as a double-edged sword, the tragic news of Liam Payne’s passing at just 31 has hit like a ton of bricks. The former One Direction star’s life came to a sudden halt in Buenos Aires, Argentina, leaving fans stunned and heartbroken. To add salt to the wound, the social media storm has turned into a virtual hurricane of outrage directed at Maya Henry and Kate Cassidy—Payne’s ex and current girlfriend, respectively.

Liam Payne in the music video of Live Forever | Credits: Capitol

Just days before his untimely departure, Henry had dropped a bombshell, alleging that Payne had been trying to reach out to her incessantly. Now, she finds herself at the center of a digital firestorm, facing a torrent of online vitriol after revealing that the late singer often joked about “play[ing] with death” in his messages. But...