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.

I rudely removed my hand from Evelyn. "I don't want to see your face again, Evelyn!"

Evelyn moved to sit up, straightening her hair. I knew she was fine, just pretending to be dizzy in front of Darius to draw his attention away from treating my wound.

That's so funny.

"You already know everything, right?" Her tone was light, as if this was just a normal conversation. "I don't care how you know. I just want to tell you one thing..."

She leaned in, looking up at me with a smile that was so annoying. "You're pathetic."

I clenched my fists.

"I took everything from you. Your life, your future, even the people who were supposed to be by your side. And look at you now," she continued, her eyes flashing triumphantly. "You tried to be me, but still—just a failed puppet."

Her chuckle sounded like nails hitting my skull.

I clenched my fists, holding back the turmoil in my chest.

Evelyn chuckled. "Look, your hands are shaking. You're scared, aren't you? Scared to see your scarred face?" She leaned closer to my ear. "You almost died from that a long time ago."

"Shut up!" I looked at her sharply.

I turned around, but something happened so fast. Evelyn moved to the table, reaching for the fruit knife that had been there. I reflexively stepped back, my mind instantly on alert.

But Evelyn—

She sliced the knife into her own arm. Although it was slow, it was enough to draw blood from her arm.

I was shocked and froze. Evelyn let out a small groan, then dropped the knife to the floor, right by my feet.

Darius's steps sounded from the kitchen.

While I was still trying to comprehend what happened, Evelyn had already backed away, her face filled with feigned panic. Her eyes were glazed over, her body trembling slightly.

"Audrey..." her voice trembled, full of hurt. "I know I replaced you as Nathaniel's bride, but I just wanted to apologize and visit you, but you attacked me out of the blue.”

Darius appeared. His gaze immediately fell to the wound on Evelyn's arm—and to the knife on the floor.

"What happened?!"

Evelyn bit her lip, trying to look scared. "I... I don't know... I just said I wanted to fix our relationship, but suddenly Audrey got angry..." She looked down, taking a shaky breath. "Then she took the knife."

Shit.

My eyes widened. "Evelyn, you're lying!" I stepped forward because I was annoyed with Audrey's acting, but she immediately stepped back, as if getting scared.

Darius looked at me sharply, none of the usual gentleness radiating from him for me. "Audrey... did you do it?"

My mouth opened, but before I could answer—

The front door opened roughly.

Someone came in.

"What did you do to Evelyn?!"

Nathaniel.

I still felt hurt looking at that face. The way he betrayed me by marrying Evelyn... still burns in my heart.

His eyes bulged with worry when he saw the wound on Evelyn's arm. His gaze then shifted to me, and within seconds, his anger exploded.

Evelyn gave a small gasp, her body trembling. "Nathaniel..." her voice was weak, as if frightened. "I... I'm okay..."

But Nathaniel didn't believe that. He stepped closer to me, his face hardening. Nathaniel pushed my body away. And Darius stayed where he was, not defending me.

"So this is why you kidnapped her! You're mentally ill, Audrey!"

I couldn't say anything.

Evelyn had won this round.

How pathetic. My body shook with the anger of being accused and the memory of their betrayal. The two people I once loved so much were now standing in front of me cursing, cornering me in defense of another woman.

"Audrey, I just want to apologize..." Evelyn spoke softly.

I couldn't take any more of this. It was enough. I chose to turn around and leave along with the tears that fell. My hands were clenched tightly into fists.

***

Evelyn had left with Nathaniel.

And later that night, Darius came to our room to apologize. I knew he was doing this just to keep me in surgery tomorrow. I played along with his game, forgiving him as if nothing bad had ever happened between us.

Darius trusted me, even though I had a plan. Before Darius went to bed, I put sleeping pills in his drink.

As soon as his breathing became regular, I got up.

I sneak out, my steps light. In front of the boudoir, my heart beats fast.

The doorknob turned easily. Darius is too confident. Inside, I head straight for his laptop. The screen is dark, locked. I type in Evelyn's date of birth.

There was a click.

I almost laughed. Darius really couldn't think beyond Evelyn.

But that didn't matter now. I inserted the USB, opening file after file—a trail of illegal transactions, falsified medical records, their intimate messages. Clear evidence of their betrayal and crimes.

My phone vibrates. A message from someone helping me behind the scenes.

[Follow the plan. Do not act outside the instructions. All data has been transferred?]

I checked the copying process. It was almost complete. I typed quickly, [Already. Tomorrow morning, I will have surgery.]

A few seconds later, a reply came.

[Don't worry. I'll make sure everything goes as we planned.]

I closed the laptop, erasing the trace without a trace. Everything was ready.

When I returned to the room, Darius was still asleep. I stood at the edge of the bed, staring at him silently. This man I once loved, I once gave my all to. Now, he was the one who destroyed me the most.

I lay beside him, staring at the ceiling with a smile that wasn't necessarily happy. There was bitterness, pain and contentment.

"I can't wait for tomorrow.”

***

The next morning, Darius and I immediately went to the hospital. I thought Darius was going to take me to the surgery room, but he turned to another room instead. My steps stopped right in front of a room with an open door.

I saw Evelyn lying on the patient's bed and there was my family. My breath caught, I glanced at Darius sharply, asking for an explanation.

"Evelyn is pregnant. Yesterday she begged to bring you together one last time," Darius said casually.

My blood rushed. A trap.

Darius is no longer pretending. He'll probably end all the charades once I'm out of surgery.

My gaze shifted to my family who were staring at me like enemies. The pain piled up, making me no longer recognize the warmth of my own family. I was about to leave, but my stepmother slapped me hard. "How could you hurt Evelyn yesterday! If she dies, what about the baby?"

I looked to my father for a defense, but his gaze was cold. No one believes me here.

"I'm disappointed in you, Audrey. Daddy never taught you to do anything bad to your stepsister!"

I laughed bitterly, holding back the tears that were about to burst. "You trust Evelyn more than me? I am your biological daughter, Dad. Evelyn is not."

"Don't talk as if you're a victim," stepmother said sharply. "In fact, you were just jealous of Evelyn all along. Admit it!"

I tried to control my emotions, but my body was shaking. They had already dumped me. Evelyn had taken all my places-not just in Darius's heart, but in my own family.

I turned and left with long strides, until Darius hugged me from behind.

"Honey, I'm sorry. I didn't know it would end like this." Darius's whisper was so soft, as if he actually felt sorry for me. He turned me around. "Your family doesn't care about you anymore."

I felt a small smile on his faint lips. He was enjoying it—seeing me alone with no one. Because if no one cares for me, I'm only his.

"But you still have me." Darius grabbed my fingers and held them firmly. "We'll be happy. Now you go into the surgery room, while I need to prepare long enough for a perfect result."

When Darius left, someone named Calvin came to help escort me to the surgery room. I remembered him. The name I'd seen in the secret message on Darius' laptop. He was part of this plan.

"Please come in," he said briefly, opening the door with a flat expression, as if this was a normal routine.

As soon as Calvin left me inside, I immediately contacted someone. My voice was low, almost a whisper. "I'm already inside."

Before long, someone jumped in through the window. His movements were quick, practiced. He kept the documents I had collected on the bed—photos of evidence of Darius's crimes and betrayals, and the divorce papers I had signed without hesitation.

Finally, he helped me escape to continue with my next plan.

Twenty minutes later.

Darius strode casually along the hospital corridor. Everything was perfectly organized-so he thought.

He pushed open the surgery room door with confidence, only to greet an empty room. His brow furrowed.

Just as his confusion peaked, Calvin appeared with bated breath.

"Audrey went to the toilet?" asked Darius, trying to contain his anxiety.

Before Calvin could answer, a bodyguard suddenly rushed in: "No! Darius! Audrey already knows the whole truth. She just committed suicide by jumping off the roof of the hospital!"