Charlie took my hand, his gaze steady and earnest.

"Lucia, I can't go with you to the consultation today. The competition results just came in. I've got to take Declan and Dylan to the finals. You know how much this means. You said it yourself.

"We'll reschedule the appointment, alright? Just take it easy today," he said gently.

I looked up at him. His expression was one of complete honesty, but that didn't fool me anymore. I ran a hand over my cheek, the loneliness creeping into my eyes.

Still, I didn't look away. I pressed my lips together.

"Does it have to be today, Charlie?" I asked.

It felt like one last chance for both of us to change our minds. Hope still clung to me, faint but stubborn.

But Charlie just smiled. He reached up, gently smoothing my hair, his voice firm and resolute.

"You're the one who said Declan and Dylan's competition mattered more, remember? This could actually change their future. We'll come straight back when it's done. And then, I'm making that creamy mushroom pasta you love."

I lowered my gaze to Declan and Dylan, still standing in the doorway, hesitant to come in.

"Is it for the competition?" I asked.

"Mom, you've never seen one. This is the finals," Declan said.

"Declan and I are on the same team. We'll bring the medal back to show you," Dylan chimed in.

I didn't have anything left to say. I just sank deeper into the blankets and gave them a small wave.

Charlie knew that was me letting go. Without another word, he rushed off to get changed, then left with the boys.

The bedroom was quiet, except for the sound of my muffled sobs. When the tears finally dried, I reached for my phone and called my brother, Kurt Gladstone.

"Kurt… I want a divorce. And about my injury back then..."

I had stubbornly brushed off all my family's warnings and married Charlie anyway, only to end up broken and leaving them to deal with the fallout.

When I finished speaking, Kurt launched into a furious tirade, cursing Charlie without holding back.

"Leave it to me. I'll make sure he pays for what he did! Did you really think Maxwell rotting in prison was enough? The other two won't get away with it either. So, are you really sure about this?"

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded. "Yes, Kurt. Getting divorced is for the best."

I couldn't wait to get the hell out of this damn place.

"What about the twins?"

When I was pregnant with them, the doctors had warned me how risky it was. In the end, all three of us had nearly died.

Still, I'd always believed Declan and Dylan were gifts from heaven. If it were up to me, I'd keep them with me.

Sure, it made sense that they preferred Kelly right now. I was disfigured, and they were still just kids. But if I raised them right, they'd come to understand one day.

I opened my mouth to say it, but the words caught in my throat.

-

Charlie had walked in with Declan and Dylan right behind him.

When Declan and Dylan saw me sitting in the living room with my phone, they instinctively started backing toward their rooms, but Charlie pulled them back.

"Why are you out here? Are you hungry?" he asked me.

I turned off my phone and set it face down on the table. "Just needed a change of scenery. I've been lying down too long."

Charlie didn't say anything else. He just headed into the kitchen to make me some pasta. Later, he set it in front of me.

I took one bite and instantly lost my appetite. It tasted bland, but I used to love that pasta because Charlie made it. Now, just thinking about it made me feel sick—it was exactly like our relationship.

I picked at my food absentmindedly.

Charlie shot me a confused look, asking, "What's wrong? Did I mess up the cooking today?"

Behind him, Declan and Dylan were watching me, too.

"No, it's fine. Just don't make this again," I said.

Charlie froze, panic flickering across his face.

I gave an excuse. "I've just been craving stronger flavors lately."

His expression softened as he met my eyes.

"Alright, I'll make you something else. Whatever you want, just say the word."

I pressed my lips together, staring at the document Kurt had sent. It was the divorce agreement he'd dug up, all ready to be printed and signed.

I was done with Charlie.

…

The next afternoon, I got a call from the competition organizers. Declan and Dylan had won first place, and I was expected to attend the award ceremony.

I hardly ever went out. And if I did, I steered clear of crowds.

I stood there for a long time, feeling torn.

They'd had so many milestones over the years, and I hadn't been there for any of them. As I was afraid they'd be let down again, I threw on a cap and a mask before stepping outside.

…

The moment I arrived at the awards hall, I spotted one of the organizers by the entrance. He noticed me right away and started walking over.

"I was told to come to the award ceremony. My kids are in it—"

Before I could finish, he gave me a sharp, suspicious look. His stare made my stomach twist.

"Which kids are yours? All the parents are already inside. You need to leave now, or I'm calling the police."

I froze. Whatever I'd meant to say died in my throat. Suddenly, I heard Kelly's voice.

"I'll step out for a moment," she said.

Across from her stood Declan and Dylan.

She strutted over, eyes gleaming with open contempt.

"Wow. You've actually got the guts to show your face? I'm surprised people aren't running the other way."

Kelly's eyes raked across my face, slow and deliberate.

"None of your business," I muttered.

"Lucia, do you really think you're still the beloved Gladstone heiress everyone used to worship? You're nothing but a sad, ruined mess. The funny thing? Your face could've been saved.

"But I wanted that first place from the modeling competition, so he made sure they used something that would ruin it completely. Hey, at least now you stand out.

"The more disgusting you look, the more it proves how much he loves me."

My composure snapped in an instant. My face wasn't just a career-ending disaster—it was the one thing that had haunted me more than anything else.

For a blinding second, all I wanted was to lunge at her and drag us both into the dark. But before I could move, she stepped back and slammed into the wall.

I didn't even have time to register what was happening before a brutal slap knocked me off my feet. I hit the floor hard, blood bursting from my mouth. My cap flew off, and my mask hung from one ear.

Charlie's furious voice cut through the air. "You got a death wish? You think you can touch someone under my protection?"

I ignored the blood pooling at the corner of my mouth and fumbled with my mask, trying to hook it back over my ear.

Across from me, Charlie was beside Kelly, examining the cut on her forehead. His face had gone soft, all concern.

"So what if I did?" I retorted.

I shoved myself upright, smearing the blood on my hands across my clothes without a second thought. My eyes locked onto his.

I was thankful I hadn't started crying yet.

When Charlie's eyes met mine, a chill shot straight through me, but then he slowly recognized me.

"Lucia? What are you doing out here? Are you following me?" he questioned.

I started to answer, but a piercing cry cut through the air.

"Lucia! I know you're jealous I won first place in the modeling competition, but how could you do this to me? I just wanted to catch up with you!" Kelly shouted.

Charlie's expression darkened, and his gaze was cold and unforgiving as they locked on mine.

"You crossed the line! That first place was always meant for Kelly. You've got no one to blame but yourself for not making it in. What kind of competition would take someone who looks like you? And now your heart's just as twisted!" he defended her.

At that moment, it felt like my heart was ripping in two.

As my eyes stung with tears, I looked at him. "No one to blame but myself? Charlie, do you even have a heart?"

He looked shocked and wouldn't meet my eyes.

"You—"

He started to speak, but Kelly cut in before he could finish. "Charlie, is my head injured? Can you check? Am I going to look horrible?"

Without another glance in my direction, he turned to her, gathering her into his arms like I wasn't even there.

"You could never be horrible," he said gently, then finally turned to face me. "You've seen your face. You shouldn't be out here like this. We'll deal with it at home."

Behind me, Declan and Dylan stood frozen, their faces tight with worry as they watched him walk away.

"Mom, Dad's right."

"You know that your face looks scary. You're going to freak people out if you walk around like this."

I stared at the two little brats standing in front of me, and my fingers started to tremble.

"What did you just say?" I questioned.

I could barely believe those words had come out of their mouths.

"Mom, Dad's just trying to help."

"Yeah, you can come out once your face is better. You should probably head home for now."

The question that had been sitting heavy on my heart already had its answer. If I'd known it would turn out like this, putting my life on the line to bring Declan and Dylan into the world wouldn't be worth it.

"If you need anything, go with the bodyguards. I still have something to do. And remind your dad to sign the papers in the study," I said coldly.

I didn't even get the last word out before they made it clear what they wanted. They told the bodyguards to take them straight to Kelly.

I gave a dry smile and climbed into the car Kurt had waiting for me.