A Love Made of Scars

Seven years ago, at the drawing that decided our fate, I privately told Alistair that the name chosen would be Sabrinas, the woman he adored.

But fate played a cruel joke. In the end, it was my name on that slip of paper.

From that day on, Alistair was convinced I had used some despicable trick. For seven years of marriage, his gaze never once lingered on me.

He told the world that my twin sister, Sabrina, was the one true love of his life. He even paid the tabloids to paint me as a shameless harlot who had seduced her own sisters fianc.

The daily humiliation and torment had long since drained all my strength.

So when Sabrina raised a knife to my face for the ninth time, I didn't even think to move. I just stood there, empty.

Seeing this, Alistair immediately swept her into a protective embrace, his voice a venomous hiss directed at me. Didnt I warn you to wear a mask at all times?

The raw, ulcerated skin behind my ears throbbed with pain from the mask's elastic bands. But it was Sabrina who sobbed in his arms as if she were the one who had suffered some great injustice.

It was always this way. Every time she hurt me, no matter how I tried to explain, Alistair would accuse me of deliberately provoking her.

This time, I was finally done.

A searing pain flared across my cheek. A drop of blood hit the marble floor with a soft pat.

Alistair didn't spare me a single glance, his attention focused entirely on cooing over Sabrina, whose hand was now smeared with my blood.

I didnt miss the flash of triumph in her eyes.

She threw herself into Alistairs arms, frantically tearing at her own hair. Alistair, darling, why do I have to have her face? She stole you from me! Looking at her makes me sick.

Without another word, she snatched the knife and aimed it at her own cheek.

Alistair didn't hesitate for a second, his hand closing around the sharp blade.

A sharp pang went through my own chest.

The Vaughn and Ashworth families had a marriage pact. The problem was, the Ashworths had twin daughters, and the Vaughns had only one son. My quiet nature made me far less charming than Sabrina. Everyone simply assumed that she would be the future Mrs. Vaughn.

When Sabrina bullied me, our peers were more than happy to be her loyal sycophants. They ripped my dresses, threw mud on me, even shaved my head

The worst was when they held my head under the water in the estate fountain. Just as I thought I would drown, Alistair appeared like an avenging angel. He pulled me out and sent the boy holding me down sprawling with a single punch.

If anyone dares to touch Seraphina Ashworth again, he had snarled, Ill feed them to my dogs.

After that, no one bullied me openly anymore. Alistair promised he would always protect me.

But for the last seven years, he was the one enabling Sabrina to hurt me. Time and time again. Even when she wanted me dead.

A shadow fell over me. Alistair nodded to one of his bodyguards. Hold her.

Before I could react, I heard the sickening crack of bone. The bodyguard twisted my arm into a grotesque angle, ensuring I couldnt fight back.

Alistair gently took Sabrinas hand, then swung it, slapping me hard across the right cheek. The taste of blood filled my mouth. I tried to turn away from the pain, but his fingers clamped onto my jaw, forcing my head back into position.

A storm of slaps rained down on me, the pain so intense I could hardly breathe.

He only stopped when Sabrina whimpered, My hand hurts.

Alistair released me with a look of disgust, blowing softly on her reddened palm.

I collapsed to the floor, a bitter smile on my lips. You think I want to look like you?

Sabrina was a tyrant. I couldnt count the number of beautiful dresses shed destroyed, or the times shed poisoned my makeup. When I asked her why, she looked at me with murder in her eyes.

You stole my face! Without you, I would have been the brightest star in our circle!

After that, she made it her mission to take everything that was mine.

Hearing my words now, she flew into a rage, smashing everything within reach. She grabbed the knife again, pressing it to her own throat as tears streamed down her face. Im sorry, Alistair. I just cant take it anymore.

Alistair snatched the knife away, his gaze sweeping over my face with utter revulsion. Sabrina, my love, I promise you. After tonight, she will never look like you again.

I was shoved violently into the back of the car. Alistairs voice was a shard of ice.

To the Avalon Clinic.

The rough rope bit into my wrists, chafing them raw. I screamed, my voice hoarse. Alistair, you cant do this to me! On what grounds are you forcing me into plastic surgery?

He ignored me, focused on soothing Sabrina. He had one of his men stuff a rag in my mouth.

Biting back the pain, I fumbled for the phone in my pocket, trying to call for help. It rang for barely a second before it was slapped from my hand, skittering across the floor.

Alistairs eyes were cold as death. He spoke to the bodyguard. Dislocate her arm.

A sound like a hammer shattering bone erupted from my shoulder. Tears streamed down my face.

At the clinic, I was dragged into an examination room. A thick needle pierced my vein, and a cold sensation spread through my body.

The doctor looked at a report, then stood up abruptly, a strange look on his face as he went to find Alistair.

Lying on the cold operating table, I could hear their conversation through the crack in the door.

Mr. Vaughn, shes pregnant. The procedure is far too risky. I cant perform this surgery.

My heart stopped.

I looked down at my flat stomach in disbelief. There was a life inside me.

Sabrinas choked sobs came from the hallway. Alistair, you promised me you would never touch her. If youve fallen in love with her, Ill just disappear. Ill never bother you again.

She made a show of running away, heartbroken.

Alistair caught her, his voice shaking with rage as he kicked open the operating room door. Seraphina! So that night wasnt a dream! You drugged me. You actually dared to drug me!

My mind went blank. My throat was tight with pain.

A month ago, Alistair had come to my room, blind drunk. He gave me no chance to resist, his kisses rough and desperate all over my body. All night long, he had called out my name. Twenty-three times.

A foolish joy had bloomed in my chest. I thought maybe, just maybe, he cared for me a little. The next morning, worried about his restless sleep, Id gone to the kitchen to make him a hangover remedy.

But when I returned with the warm soup, the bed was empty.

Seeing the blood drain from my face now, Alistair sneered. Did you really think you were worthy of carrying my child? Not unless you drugged me to get it.

A crowd had gathered outside the room. Their disdainful stares and vile words were needles piercing my eardrums.

So shameless, drugging a man to get pregnant.

Even the cheapest bar girl trying to climb into a rich mans bed has more class than her.

My voice trembled as I tried to defend myself. I didnt drug him

Sabrinas eyes filled with tears as she turned away from Alistair, pouting. Its me or the child, Alistair. You can only choose one.

They were going to take my baby?

Panic seized me. I reached out, my fingers clenching his sleeve. You cant take him from me! We can get a divorce. I wont ask for anything. Just please, let me keep the baby.

For a moment, Alistairs expression softened. But in the next second, Sabrina let out a wail and sank her teeth into my arm. You just want to use the baby as a bargaining chip! Just like you bribed the butler to rig the drawing so you could marry Alistair! Now you want to use his child to control him forever!

I shook my head desperately, trying to explain. No

But Alistairs eyes had turned to stone. He saw my plea as just another calculation.

Get rid of that bastard thing. Now. Then proceed with the facial surgery.

The doctor gave me a look of pity as the nurses held me down. The anesthetic entered my bloodstream, and my consciousness began to fade.

Tears of anguish streamed from my eyes. I couldnt understand. Why, after he had regained his sight, had he become so cruel?

Had he forgotten?

It was he who had taken my hand, he who had confessed his love, he who had promised me a lifetime.

When I opened my eyes again, my face was wrapped in thick gauze. A dull ache spread from my lower abdomen. I remembered the surgery, the floor slick with my blood.

That tiny life, snuffed out by its own father.

Tears welled up. A young nurse rushed over. Youve just had extensive facial reconstruction. You cant get emotional. What if your face heals crooked?

My sanity shattered. I clawed at the bandages on my face. My fingernails filled with blood, and a searing pain shot through my skin, but I didnt stop.

The door opened. I saw Sabrinas sickeningly perfect face. She watched my breakdown with a smug satisfaction, even taking out her phone to record it.

I ripped the IV from my hand and stumbled towards her, grabbing her shoulders. Why? Why are you doing this to me? I already agreed to give up being his wife, I dont want anything! Why couldnt you just leave my child alone?

Sabrina looked at my bloodied face and laughed. She held up her wrist, dangling a bracelet I had lost long ago.

Sister, arent you curious why Alistair is suddenly so madly in love with me?

My heart hammered against my ribs. I stared at her, frozen.

She smiled, a perfectly innocent, harmless smile. Its because I told Alistair that I was the one by his side when he was blind after his accident. I switched the names in the drawing. I didnt just want to steal the man you love, Seraphina. I wanted him to hate you for the rest of his life. I wanted the very mention of your name to make him sick!

A roar filled my ears. Two streams of tears traced paths through the blood on my cheeks.

Sabrina had taken my place. She had made Alistair believe that she was the one who had stayed with him, who had never given up on him.

I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood and dragged my broken body towards the door. I had to tell Alistair. Now. The person who sat by his bed day and night, who told him stories to help him sleep that person was me!

But Sabrina blocked my path, her hand clamping down on mine. She smiled maliciously. Sister, lets make a little bet, shall we? Lets see who Alistair really cares about.

A sharp pain shot through my wrist, and I instinctively pulled my hand back.

Sabrina closed her eyes and fell backwards stiffly. Ouch you hurt me

A blur of motion, and Alistair was there, scooping her into his arms. Doctor! Get every doctor in this hospital in here now!

I rushed forward and grabbed his arm, my heart pounding. When you were blind after the accident, the one who took care of you was me! Sabrina stole my bracelet

Enough! Alistair shoved me away, his eyes filled with pure hatred. I was blind in my eyes, not in my heart! I know who was with me! If a single hair on Sabrinas head is harmed, I will make you pay a thousand times over!

Doctors and nurses scurried after him. The bodyguard at the door kicked me hard in the chest, then grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the wall. A series of gruesome, bloody imprints stained the pristine white paint.

Ive never seen a woman as shameless as you, he spat. Stealing Miss Sabrinas marriage, and now trying to steal the credit for saving Mr. Vaughns life. Im going to teach you a lesson on her behalf.

A sweet, metallic taste filled my throat as I choked, spitting up mouthfuls of blood. The gauze on my face began to unravel.

Catching a glimpse of my reflection in the window, my breath hitched.

I screamed, a raw, primal sound, and threw the bodyguard off me with all my strength. Blood from my forehead streamed into my eyes, turning the world red.

But I could still see it. The face in the reflection. It was monstrous, unfamiliar, the face of a hardened criminal.

I stumbled out of the room, my voice tearing from my throat. Give me back my face! Give it back!

Patients in the hallway stopped and stared. It wasn't until I heard a terrified shriek that I instinctively covered my face.

Its her! The fugitive! The one who killed her whole family!

My nails dug into my palms. Im not a killer! I shrieked, losing control. This isnt my face!

I had thought the worst-case scenario was that Alistair would give me a plain, unremarkable face. I never imagined he would have me surgically altered to look like a wanted murderer.

Did he hate me that much? He had killed our child, and now he was trying to utterly destroy my life.

I collapsed, sobbing, clutching my head.

Someone threw something. Scalding soup splashed across my face, followed by a plate of greasy food. My vision blurred, and I fell.

Call the police! Get her before she hurts someone!

Fists and feet rained down on me. Someone stomped on my stomach. My fingers were crushed under a heavy boot. I curled into a ball, a warm liquid spreading between my legs.

The scent of my own blood filled the air, followed by the wail of sirens.

An officer pulled me to my feet, the cold metal of handcuffs snapping around my wrists.

I coughed up more blood, shaking my head. Im not a murderer Im Seraphina Ashworth they changed my face

The officer frowned, looking around. No one stepped forward to defend me.

Despair was a spiders web, thick and suffocating. I used my last ounce of strength to scream in the direction Alistair had gone. Alistair, it was me who was with you! You promised you would protect me! You promised to make me the happiest bride in the world

People looked at me like I was insane. Everyone in the city knew that Alistair Vaughn loved the younger Ashworth twin but had been forced to marry the elder. Two identical faces, yet his heart belonged only to one.

The officer pushed me forward, studying my new face intently. Save it. Youre the woman on the wanted poster. You can tell your story down at the station.

As we reached the hospital entrance, I saw Alistair helping Sabrina into his car.

Like a drowning woman grasping at a straw, I broke free and lunged towards him. Tell them! Tell them Im Seraphina Ashworth! Im not a killer!

Alistair gave me a fleeting, indifferent glance before addressing the officer behind me. Im sorry. I dont know her.

A murderer gets the death penalty. Was my life really worth so little to him?

A bloody laugh tore from my lips. My heart shattered into dust. Alistair Vaughn, I hope you live to regret this.

Sabrina trembled in his arms, her eyes red, the picture of a frightened rabbit.

I closed my eyes, all the fight gone out of me. I let the officers lead me away.

As Alistair settled Sabrina into the car, he felt a strange, sharp pain in his chest, as if hed been stabbed. He looked down to check on Sabrina, but his eyes were drawn to the bracelet on her wrist. To a tiny, almost invisible S engraved on the charm.

At the same moment, his phone buzzed violently. A new message popped onto the screen.

Mr. Vaughn the one who was with you when you were blind it was your wife