"This time, I won't just ruin your hands. I'll blind you too. Let's see if you still dare to compete with me."

The words hit me like a thunderclap. I never imagined Lucy's malice could run this deep.

I turned to run, but before I could take more than a step, Reese swung a wooden stick hard against my legs. Then again, across my back, without mercy.

"Run again, and I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life crippled."

In a panic, I grabbed a handful of dirt from the floor and threw it at his face. While he flinched, I snatched the stick from him and struck back.

Lucy, who had been hiding in the shadows, suddenly lunged forward, shielding Reese with her body.

The next second, Carl burst through the door, brow furrowed, eyes fixed on Lucy's bruised arm.

"Lucy, are you okay? Your hand! Does it hurt?"

…

Lucy's arm was turning purple. Tears spilled down her cheeks. She looked fragile and pitiful.

"Carl," she choked out, "Reily had me kidnapped. If Reese hadn't gotten here in time, I might never have seen you again."

She paused, then looked at me. Her voice turned sharp and shrill.

"Reily! You used to be a pianist. You know how much our hands mean to us. And yet you tried to destroy mine! Carl, can we please call the police? I'm really scared…"

At the mention of the police, Carl didn't respond right away.

Frustration flickered through Lucy's eyes.

Reese seized the moment, finger jabbing at me as he twisted the story.

"Carl, you know how kindhearted Lucy is. If I hadn't arrived in time, Reily would've cut her tendons and ended her career!"

Carl turned a cold gaze on me.

"You really did all this? When did you become so vicious?"

The disgust on his face was unmistakable. So was the distrust. I gave a bitter laugh. "Then tell me, Carl, who was it that had my tendons severed and destroyed my career?"

His expression froze. But when he spoke, his tone gave nothing away.

"You think it was me? Or Lucy? Seems I've spoiled you too much. Look what kind of person you've become."

Then he turned to Reese. "I'll take Lucy to the hospital. As for Reily, take her home. Don't let her leave the house. I'll deal with her when I get back."

After he left, Reese's face contorted.

He grabbed my neck with one hand and pulled out a knife with the other, pressing it to my cheek.

"You've got guts. Can't believe Carl actually went easy on you. Don't worry, I won't touch your hands or eyes. Men care about faces most, don't they? I'll ruin yours. Let's see how you compete with Lucy then."

I struggled and fought, but I couldn't break free.

The blade sliced across my left cheek in a clean X. The skin split open. Blood poured.

I passed out from the blood loss.

When I woke again, my left cheek was tightly wrapped in thick gauze.

The room they'd locked me in sat just across an artificial lake from Carl's villa.

From the window, I could see him on the far side, walking a dog with Lucy. The two of them laughed, playfully tugging at the leash. They looked happy.

I'd begged him so many times to let me get a dog. Every time, he said no. Claimed he was allergic. Claimed he hated dogs.

But now, he looked like he loved them more than anyone else. Well, to be precise, he loved the one holding the leash.

I wiped away the tears at the corner of my eyes, turned, and pulled out two things I'd prepared in advance: the divorce papers and the protective charm I had once given him when I saved his life.