"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."

[Honey, where are you? I'll pick you up.]

My lips twitched mockingly at a recent message on my cell phone.

Darius. I guessed that Darius's men had already informed him that I ran away, so Darius panicked and contacted me this quickly. Now, I was standing outside the house as if I hadn't gone inside earlier.

I typed an amused reply to Darius.

[I'll be home soon.]

The reply from Darius came quickly.

[Just wait. I'll pick you up.]

Shortly after that, the door of Darius' house opened. Revealing Darius who was moving in a hurry, now turned frozen. His face turned pale when he saw me standing here.

"Please don't misunderstand, Audrey," Darius' voice trembled, panicked. He turns to Evelyn and then his gaze returns to me. "Evelyn came looking for you. We have no relationship whatsoever."

Lies. I knew his fear wasn't for fear of losing me—it was because I could ruin his plans. I could refuse the final surgery to transform myself completely into Evelyn.

Next to Darius, Evelyn stood relaxed, her lips curled sardonically. There was no shock there at the sight of me, only a taunt that stabbed like a dagger.

My heart was boiling. Evelyn, my once cherished step-sister, was now the taker of everything. She trampled my life, stole everything without a trace—and lastly, she even took Darius.

Unconsciously, my tears fell.

My hands clenched into fists. Without giving Darius a chance to speak further, I delivered a hard slap to his face.

Darius was silent for a few seconds. I held my breath, afraid he would retaliate.

"Are you crazy?! Darius is innocent!" screeched Evelyn, her eyes glaring at me.

I was disgusted. I hated Evelyn's voice. I hate her face. I raised my hand, ready to slap her—

But Darius gripped my wrist firmly. His gaze was sharp, cold. "Don't hurt Evelyn."

The world seemed to collapse. My heart broke at the way Darius protected her. This one was clearly sincere, unlike what he always did to me.

But then, suddenly, he pulled me into his arms. His face was soft again.

"Honey, I'm sorry." His voice turned warm, as if he was the same man as before. "Are you angry that I was late picking you up? Your face... why?"

I stare blankly. This hug usually makes me feel safe. But now all I felt was emptiness.

Darius led me inside. We sat on the sofa in the main room.

"Alright dear, you can tell me later about what happened. Now, I need to treat your face quickly."

I could only nod in resignation. Darius not only came to me with medicine, but also with a mirror.

I knew Darius was watching me. Waiting for my reaction.

I froze when Darius handed me the mirror. "Look at your wound first, dear. You can't be too sad, your face is still beautiful."

Darius' words were a lie.

I knew what he meant—he wanted me to see the wound on my face, then I'd get scared, and I'd give in and ask for surgery.

And damn it, I was really scared.

Hesitant, I stared at my reflection in the mirror with a pounding heart. My cheeks now had sores, swelling and dried blood. Instantly, memories of the past when my face was destroyed surfaced, making my breathing feel labored. I bit my lip, holding back the trembling in my hands.

Darius displayed a small smile that he tried to cover up. "What's wrong, dear? Are you still scared?"

I didn't answer.

He reached out, touching my cheek gently, as if in love. "Well, your face is injured. You'd better not postpone the surgery for tomorrow."

I closed my eyes as the tears fell.

"Don't be afraid," Darius said.

He took the bandages and ointment, then sat closer, touching my face gently. The touch that once made me feel loved.

"This will sting a little," he said softly, applying the medicine to the wound on my cheek.

It was hot, stinging. I winced.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his fingers brushing over the dried blood on my forehead. "I shouldn't have let this happen to you."

I wanted to laugh. Didn't he cause all this himself?

I could feel his intense gaze. As if there was a hint of guilt there. As if he really cared.

And just then, Evelyn moved.

"Ouch..." the weak voice came from the side.

Darius immediately turned his head. His worried gaze was evident. "Evelyn?"

Without bothering to take care of me anymore, Darius immediately got up to Evelyn. "What's wrong with you?"

I chuckled. Darius forgot his own charade as he was so worried about Evelyn.

Evelyn touched her temple, her expression pale. "I'm... dizzy..."

"What are you feeling?"

"I don't know..." Evelyn whispered weakly. "It feels like my head is spinning..."

"Lie down for a while," he said softly, his eyes full of worry.

Evelyn nodded, her body looking limp as Darius helped her lean back into the sofa.

I stared at the scene. My medicine that was in his hand is now neglected on the table. The wound on my cheek still stung, but Darius didn't care.

"I need a drink," Evelyn said, easily getting Darius to comply and go to the kitchen.

I sighed, disgusted. I couldn't bear to look at Evelyn any longer.

I got up from the sofa, intending to leave. I couldn't bear to linger in this room.

But suddenly, Evelyn's fingers gripped my wrist.

"From the expression on your face," she whispered softly, yet sharply, "it looks like you already know everything."

My body stiffened. I turned my head, and one side of Evelyn's lips lifted. Creating a satisfied smile that I wanted to destroy.