[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.
