The night before my wedding, I had a tragic accident that destroyed my face with burns. When I woke up in the hospital, my fiancé, Nathaniel Cross, had married my step-sister, Evelyn, in my place. My family supported their marriage, acting as if I never existed.

I, who lost everything overnight, was left to face the taunts and insults of people on every corner of the city, the whole world discarding me, mocking a model whose face was now ruined.

I was frustrated and wanted to die. As I was about to jump from the top floor of the hospital, Darius Vance hugged me. He was the plastic surgeon who took care of my face, appearing as a savior.

He promised me a new face, a new life, and sincere love when I married him. Every day he treated me with affection, assuring me that the world would be okay with him. I believed him.

However, two years later, I found the medical records of a gruesome secret surgery and Darius' open laptop showing a special folder. In the footage I shudderingly watched, Darius stood by the operating table, talking to someone.

"Evelyn, don't worry. After this accident, your step-sister's face will be destroyed. Nathaniel will definitely leave her, and you can take her place."

"Then what about her?" Evelyn's voice sounded doubtful and gave my weakly lying body a quick glance.

"Don't worry. I will 'save' her. I'll make sure she only depends on me forever without bothering you and Nathaniel."

My eyes that were blurred with tears were forced to watch the video until the end. The video explained that Darius loved Evelyn very much and the medical records beside the laptop showed that Darius performed an illegal operation on me.It turns out that what I thought was marriage and redemption was just a game full of deception - they destroyed everything I had in the past, and now, revenge begins.It's time for them to go to the abyss and enjoy the darkness!

I will rise, take revenge, leave, and I will never forgive.

***

Tonight, I returned home early from the vacation trip that Darius himself had planned for me.

After entering Darius' boudoir, my eyes fell on his laptop that was still on. That wasn't Darius' habit. Curiosity got the better of me when I saw the strange folder displayed on the screen and a medical note beside the laptop.

The folder had a title that made the world around me feel like it was spinning.

[Evelyn my love.]

All about Evelyn. Many videos of Evelyn were displayed there, but my attention was drawn to one old video.

My eyes that were blurred with tears were forced to watch the video until the end. The video explained that Darius loved Evelyn very much and the medical records beside the laptop showed that Darius performed an illegal operation on me.

The tightness was hard to bear, my heart aching like it had been pierced by thousands of needles. This reality brought my nightmares and past traumas to life.

Unbelievable, the mastermind behind all the bad things that had happened to my life so far turned out to be the person closest to me—Darius—who I considered my protector from everyone.

I glanced at Darius who was fast asleep on the sofa, he was too careless to think I hadn't returned from vacation.

While I was still reeling, a message app notification popped up on Darius' laptop from someone named Calvin. Without hesitation, I opened it completely.

[Darius, are you really sure you're going to keep changing your wife's face bit by bit to look more and more like Evelyn?]

My knees felt weak as I read it.

[Very sure. You can just take care of the secret operation letter as usual. Audrey is even taking a vacation out of town before another face surgery the day after tomorrow, I made her think I was giving her some fun, when here I am erasing the longing of spending time with Evelyn."]

[Evelyn has returned? You're pretty crazy. But Audrey isn't Evelyn, I feel a little sorry for her. How much longer are you going to treat her as a replacement?]

[I can't get Evelyn completely because she loves Nathaniel, but I can recreate her. Audrey just needs a little more... then she will become Evelyn in another form.]

The messages hit me to close the laptop neatly immediately, unable to read the whole thing anymore. I tried hard to keep my mouth shut so as not to let out a sob that might wake Darius.

I finally realized that I was just a puppet for the man who was supposed to be my savior.

My steps faltered as I walked out of Darius' boudoir. My chest tightened as if rejecting the reality I had just discovered.

I almost fainted.

***

The toilet became my target to look in the mirror.

How much of me was still real?

I felt my own face. It's still me, but there are some things that have changed little by little to look like Evelyn. I didn't dare to look at my face all this time, I was still traumatized by the burnt face of my past. Darius always praised my beauty and I trusted him too much for all the surgeries I underwent.

Maybe I should leave here. I walked out of the restroom, but my steps stopped when Darius came out of his boudoir and called me from behind.

"Honey? When are you coming home?"

I'm stunned for a few moments and not ready to turn around. Darius' voice no longer sounded sweet to my ears. His words of affection were more like nonsense.

"How was your vacation? It must have been great to spend time alone."

My tongue twisted as I turned to look at Darius. And there I forced a fake smile, just like Darius did to me.

"It was fun."

The friendly look on Darius' face changed to surprise at my bloodshot eyes.

"What happened to you on the road, dear?" Darius came closer. "You were crying. I'll make those who made you sad regret it."

It was you.

My legs were too weak to move back as Darius approached and then embraced me with a warmth that felt fake. I felt like pushing Darius away, but in reality I could only stay still.

And the trembling of my body attracted the attention of Darius who immediately released the hug. His eyes looked at me intently, giving me a worried look. "So what's wrong?"

A spontaneous answer flashed through my brain. "I was mugged."

His jaw turned hard as if he was really angry. "Damn it. I shouldn't have let you go home alone! I'll find the culprit who made my precious wife sad!"

I forced a smile. "I'm fine."

Darius hugged me again tightly, as if I was still the old Audrey—the blind, weak, and dependent Audrey.

"I saw your missed call earlier," he muttered regretfully. "I'm sorry for falling asleep, I was too tired after a day of surgery at the hospital."

Surgery at the hospital?

My lips quivered in mockery. I even knew very well what he had been doing all day. Not holding a scalpel, but touching Evelyn.

Darius sighed and pulled my hand gently, kissing it like he was the most loving man in the world. "Let's go to bed, dear. You must need some rest because you're exhausted."

I wanted to refuse, wanted to shut myself away and spew out all the hatred I felt, but I couldn't show anything but silence and obedience. I was too shocked and Darius was horrible to me.

***

The next morning, I gasped as my body was lifted off the bed by Darius. He carried me gently, leading me to the car.

"Where are we going?" my voice was hoarse, still trapped in the residual trauma of last night.

He just smiled, starting the engine. "I've prepared a special breakfast for you in a beautiful place."

My heart was beating wildly. "But I haven't even showered yet."

Darius gave me a quick glance with a big smile behind the wheel. "You're always beautiful, baby."

Disgust immediately attacks my throat.

The nature-themed restaurant we'd come to looked serene, with perfectly set tables. But I couldn't feel anything but restlessness.

Darius pulled out my chair gently, sitting across from me with a sharp look. I tried to grip the spoon, but my hands were shaking.

"Are you sick?" Darius asked, his voice full of concern. "Your face is so pale."

I gasped. "I'm... just tired after yesterday's trip."

"You should rest well," he said lightly, then took a sip of coffee. "Because tomorrow is your scheduled surgery."

Surgery. Again.

My chest heaved. Despite knowing, I was still shocked and fear crept into my mind.

"I don't want another surgery, Darius," my voice trembled, almost drowned out by the sound of the rain that began to fall lightly outside.

He put down his fork slowly. His eyes darkened, his expression still soft, but there was something that made my hair stand on end.

"Honey, don't I always know what's best for you?" His lips curved in a faint smile. "You want to be more beautiful, don't you?"

If I had heard this in the past, I might have been touched. But right now, I want to scream. I want my face back. I want my life back.

"We'll talk about that another time, now let's enjoy breakfast."

Darius told me to eat, but he was busy playing with his cell phone for a few minutes. My mind was full. The matter of the surgery that would eventually happen, made me uneasy.

"Darius, I really don't want surgery," I said hesitantly and quietly.

Darius was about to say something, but his cell phone rang. I caught a glimpse of a flash of expression on his face—a twinkle that was too quickly hidden. But I saw it.

The voice on the other end spoke briefly, and his face changed.

"Honey, I have to go to the hospital. I have an emergency patient."

I didn't believe him. It was a lie. I saw for myself how he smiled for a moment before turning anxious.

Darius stood up in a hurry, kissing my forehead before I could protest. "You can take your own taxi home, okay?"

Then he was gone.

I sat there in silence, looked up at the darkening sky. It was starting to rain harder.

I had to get home before the storm came.

As I walked out of the restaurant, the raindrops brushed my face. The streets were deserted. There were no taxis passing by. I knew it would happen during the rainy season.

I decided to run through the rain. Every step felt heavy.

Then a taxi pulled up near me.

I stiffened, my steps delayed.

Too fast. Too coincidental.

The driver's window lowered slowly, revealing a man dressed all in black with a grinning smile.

"Hop in, pretty lady."

I stepped back, my heart racing. "No, thank you."

The man tilted his head. "What do you mean no?" his voice turned cold. "Do I look like I'm giving you a choice?"

Fear swallowed me whole.

Before I could escape, his hands had already grabbed my arms, pulling me roughly into the car. I screamed, trying to struggle, but his grip was too strong.

In a panic, I slammed into his knee with all my might.

He growled, releasing me for a moment. That was enough.

I pushed open the door and ran into the pouring rain, my breathing ragged. I heard footsteps behind me. He was chasing me.

Darius.

That was the only name that came to my mind.

I don't have anyone else. Even though Darius pretended to love me, he could at least help me.

My hands trembled as I reached into my pockets, looking for my cell phone. My fingers were wet and slippery as I dialed the number. I put the phone to my ear, hoping to hear his calm voice soon.

But there was no answer.

I pressed again. Still no answer.

"Darius... pick up!" I whispered frantically, my eyes glancing back. The man was still chasing me, getting closer.

I typed a message with trembling hands:

[Darius, help me. There's someone chasing me. I'm scared.]

There was no reply.

I typed again quickly:

[I'm in danger! Answer my phone, please!]

Still silent.

Shit! I bit my lip, running faster.

However, the man was faster.

I screamed as a hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me backwards. I fell to the wet ground, the cell phone I was holding tightly cracked slightly.

"How dare you run away!" the man whispered, gripping my chin roughly.

I struggled, kicking him, but my body was too weak compared to his strength.

"Too bad," he held up something that glinted in the rain—knife light. "Your pretty face will change a bit now."

I struggled, trying to pull away, but the knife slid quickly.

Heat flashed across my cheek.

I screeched. Blood flowed, mixing with the rainwater. The pain was piercing, but I couldn't stop. I kicked with all my strength, right between his legs.

The man growled, his grip weakening. I used the opportunity to get on all fours and run, not caring that my feet were almost dragging on the asphalt.

I headed back home with legs that didn't stop running even though they were shaking.

"I need Darius, I'm so scared!"

My own shouting encouraged me to get home quickly. I saw Darius' car parked, he was home. Good. I really need his hug even if it's fake, at least it protects me from the evil of strangers.

I made it into the house. My pain-filled steps slowed at the threshold of my open bedroom door. I heard a voice that was familiar to me. Completely familiar. Evelyn. Two years I didn't find her anywhere, now I saw her.

Darius and Evelyn. In my room.

My heart seemed to stop for a moment.

My eyes watered as Evelyn's voice sounded flirtatious, "Are you sure she'll comply for the surgery tomorrow?"

Darius chuckled, his hand caressing Evelyn's cheek. "After what happened today? She must have no other choice."

I held my breath, my body freezing.

"Are you sure your men are doing it right?" Evelyn asked again, her hands creeping up Darius's chest. "What if Audrey comes and sees us fooling around in your room?"

"It's not supposed to happen," Darius replied casually. "Then we'll see that her face is pretty badly scarred. If she sees herself in the mirror tomorrow morning, she'll cry and beg me to fix it."

My heart sank. This was worse than anything I had ever imagined. My hand covered my own mouth, stifling the sob that almost escaped.

Evelyn chuckled. "You're absolutely brilliant." She turned sullen, "but I don't understand why you're still being nice to her. Have you started falling for Audrey already?"

Darius looked at Evelyn with the gaze I had come to expect from him. Full of passion. "Started falling love? All I see is you, even though you belong to someone else. I just don't want Audrey to run away forever, I'll be lonely without your shadow."

I wanted to turn around, wanted to escape this nightmare. But before I could move, I saw Evelyn pull Darius' face and kiss him.

"But now you can have me," she whispered. "I'm here. You can enjoy the real Evelyn."

I should have left. But instead I was stuck in place, watching Evelyn push Darius onto the bed.

"I know I already have Nathaniel and you have Audrey. But are you going to reject our intimacy?"

"There's no way I'm turning you down," Darius shook his head firmly with eyes misty with passion. "You're the center of my world after you willingly got shot to save my kidnapping four years ago."

I don't understand what happened between them four years ago, but here I stand as a victim of Evelyn and the selfish Darius. And to my recollection, Evelyn had never been shot in her life.

"You know," Darius murmured, his voice low and full of passion, "no matter how many surgeries Audrey undergoes, she'll never be as beautiful as you."

I closed my eyes tightly, but those words were already etched into my brain.

I knew what they would do next. My breath hitched as the sound of sighing from inside the room became clearer. Evelyn said Darius' name in a way that destroyed what was left of my sanity.

Unable to take it anymore, I turned around and walked as fast as I could to the restroom at the end of the hall. Once inside, I locked the door and staggered back, my body shaking uncontrollably.

Darius hadn't just destroyed my face. He destroyed my soul.

I couldn't forever be a puppet for the two of them. Darius, whom I once loved so much, had to be left behind. I have a plan, but on the other hand I realize I'm not completely strong.

My trembling hands picked up the slightly cracked cell phone. I thought for a long time, until finally without hesitation I pressed a number that I hadn't called in a long time. "Alaric, my brother, I'm in danger and need your help.”

A few seconds of silence on the other side of the phone. Then, his voice came on. "Audrey... I can hardly believe you would call me. Okay, tell me about your problem and let's make a plan."