Desperate Need of Advice: Blackmail After a Mistake

Salam everyone, I’m really lost and don’t know where to turn. This is a throwaway for obvious reasons. I know I messed up big time. I’m seeking sincere advice and guidance-please be kind, Allah knows how hard it’s been just to type this out. A little about me: I’m a 23-year-old guy, trying to practice my deen. I’ve taken Islamic classes and even given a few khutbahs locally. For a long time I struggled with desires, but a few years back I turned things around, left my old ways, and was doing well Alhamdulillah. Then recently I got hit with some bad news and a rough patch, which sent me spiraling into actions I’d never normally do. I ended up in an online chat with a woman, and things got out of hand-I showed my face during an inappropriate video call. Right after the call ended, the person messaged me with a screen recording of the video and a list of all my Instagram followers. They threatened to send that video to everyone unless I paid them. After some back and forth, I chose not to pay and blocked them. (Just to note: I don’t know this person, they’re from another country, and they reached out first. It looked like a scam they run.) Now I’m sitting here not knowing if they’ve shared it already or if they will later. I’m drowning in guilt, shame, and constant fear. I feel like my life isn’t my own anymore, everything’s off the rails. I used to dream of becoming an imam and sharing Islamic content online, but now that seems impossible-the fear would always hang over me, and if this ever came out later… I honestly don’t know what I’d do. But the deeper wound is realizing how I ended up here. How could I fall this far? I’m more ashamed and guilty that I’m so terrified of people finding out, while forgetting that Allah is the All-Seeing-and He is the One truly deserving of being feared, more than being exposed to creation. I pray Allah forgives my sins and hides this matter from others. If anyone has gone through something like this, how did you cope? How do you overcome the shame, guilt, and fear? Are my dreams and hopes really dead now? I’d really appreciate any advice, and please make du’a for me 💔