"They even wear matching dresses, so who are you?"
I stared desperately at the couples in dark blue dress and suit in the hall. I wanted to call for help but found my voice stuck in my throat.
A mouthful of blood spurted onto the ground and before I knew it, I was being dragged into the darkness by the man with the gold chain.
When the black cloth was lifted from my head, I found myself tied up in a dark room and the person standing in front of me was Serena Yates.
"Have you lost your mind, Serena?"
"If Simon finds out you tied me up like this, you’ll bear the consequences!"
I struggled and screamed, but she only laughed. "Lily Caldwell, you really think you’re still the one he cares about?"
"Without his permission, do you think I’d be bold enough to kidnap you?"
"Believe it or not, even if he knew about this, he would only feel sorry for me for working this hard for him."
My eyes widened. My heart sank as I realized it was Simon’s approval that she dared to do this.
Serena saw my shock and laughed again.
After showing a cruel smile, she seized my chin and held it steady.
The cold blade of a knife pressed against the tear mole under my eye. "I’ve always wondered why everyone says I look like you. It’s because of this mole, I see."
"But that won't matter anymore, not after today."
"Stay still. A wrong move and you’ll lose your eye along with the mole."
Serena's laughter echoed through the room.
I closed my eyes in fear, feeling the cold tip of the knife press against my skin bit by bit.
She carved away a piece of flesh, leaving a trail of warm blood behind.
When I finally dared to open my eyes, I met Serena's gaze, filled with a twisted sense of satisfaction.
"Without this mole, I’ll be the only one in Simon’s heart from now on!"
After that, she left with everyone.
I fell to my knees, feeling the warmth of my own blood mixed with tears as they hit the ground in small, red droplets. Each one a bloom on the floor.
I could not understand why this was happening.
Was this really what Simon wanted?
I took a deep breath.
I endured the pain as I groped my way along the dim light.
Not long after, I finally found a gap, pushing through and emerging directly into the center of the ballroom.
"Ahhh!"
The guests recoiled in shock as they saw me covered in blood and mud. They screamed and their eyes widened with fear.
They immediately surrounded me like I was a stranger to them.
"Oh my god, what’s going on? Why would something like this come out of the richest man’s basement?"
"Who are you? Why are you here?"
"Look at her face. It’s disfigured. God, she’s covered in blood, it’s terrifying."
Blinded by the bright lights, I shielded my eyes, but some faces in the crowd recognized me despite my condition.
"Isn’t that Mrs. Pierce? What’s she doing here?"
"And why does she look like a mess..."
As soon as the words were spoken, the room erupted into hushed whispers.
"How could she be Mr. Pierce’s wife? I just saw him following his wife, looking for someone."
"That’s Mr. Pierce’s secretary, not his wife!"
"But they were together, looking so close as if they were a couple..."
The man stopped talking mid-sentence.
He exchanged a look with the person across from him as if realizing the truth for the first time.
There was an unmistakable look of pity in his eyes as he stared at me.
I felt dizzy, my whole body aching from the effects of cancer and it numbed me further.
Just then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "Mr. Pierce is here."
Instantly, the crowd parted, clearing a path for Simon Pierce.
He walked through in shiny leather shoes and finally stopped directly in front of me.
"Lily Caldwell, why did you do this to me?" Simon’s voice was tight with frustration as he looked at me with disdain.
Behind him, Serena appeared, seemingly fresh from the basement where she was supposed to be.
"Mrs. Pierce, why are you here?"
"I know you misunderstood something because you saw me with Mr. Pierce, but you can’t just jump to conclusions."
"The guests here are allowed to enter and leave the mansion freely, I know that, but wandering into other people’s houses is a different matter altogether."
"I won’t argue if you don't care about your own safety, but at least you have to care about Mr. Pierce's reputation, don't you think?"
Simon’s expression grew darker with each word Serena spoke.
Before I could respond, he spoke first, "You're really embarrassing me."
Then, she pulled Serena away, leaving me alone in the crowd.
Watching his leaving figure, I tried to call out to him. But as soon as I opened my mouth, blood poured out.
The next moment, everything went black.
