Chapter 2%
Since the very beginning, I was nothing more than a disposable tool to him. The love I thought was real, the salvation I believed in–it had all been nothing but lies and betrayal.
Kevin leaned in close, pressing a kiss against my lips. “Sleep now. It’ll all be over soon.“%
The familiar scent of pine surrounded me, thick and nauseating. I wanted to push him away, but the anesthesia had taken full effect. My body felt like lead. My mind slipped into darkness.
A cold scalpel traced across my skin. Blood–stained water was carried out, basin after basin. Somewhere deep inside me, the last frozen pieces of my heart began to crack, splintering apart
When I finally opened my eyes, Kevin’s face was the first thing I saw–too close, his bloodshot eyes filled with what looked like anguish
“Ria! You’re awake!” His voice shook with emotion, his eyes glistening with tears. “If anything had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself!”
He suddenly slapped himself, hard. “This is all my fault! I made too many enemies in business and you got caught in the crossfire. Someone bribed the doctor to hurt you… You….”
I lowered my eyes, watching his theatrical performance in silence.
Kevin’s face twisted in grief. “They forced you to swallow sulfuric acid…. They cut you open… But thank God… thank God you’re still here…“2
His sobs were ragged as he buried his face against my neck, his tears seeping into my hospital gown. Every word he spoke was thick with concern–yet every single one was actually laced with love meant for someone else.
I never thought Kevin–the man who never cared to hide his true feelings–could put on such an elaborate act. He did it all for Valentina.
A sudden, searing pain tore through me, making my body shudder uncontrollably.
“Ria! What’s wrong? Don’t do this to me!”
Kevin jerked upright, panic flashed across his face. He didn’t even stop to put on his fallen shoes before bolting out the door to call the doctor.
The phone on the bedside table buzzed incessantly.
With trembling hands, I reached out to it. Turned out, it was Kevin’s phone. The home wallpaper was still a picture of us.
Unlocking it was effortless. The passcode was my birthday… or more likely, Valentina’s.
Unread TalkUs voice messages popped up the screen–one after another, all from her.”
[Kev, Damian hit me again. It hurts so much… When are you coming to save me?]>
[I wish I were my sister. She always had you and everyone else to protect her. But me? I was kidnapped as a child and when I finally came home, I ended up in another nightmare…]}
[If I could trade places with her, I can’t even imagine how happy I’d be.]
Oh no! Wrong number!]
Valentina quickly retracted all the messages.
I hesitated before tapping Switch Account.
A TalkUs profile appeared on the screen-[Only Love Tina.]
At the top of the chat list was Valentina, pinned. Right below it, a group chat called [One Big Happy Family.]}
There wasn’t a single mention of the word love in their private messages, yet love was woven into every interaction.
Money transfers on Valentine’s Day. Good morning and good night messages. Daily updates, shared like secrets between lovers.} The group chat had 99+ unread messages.
Inside were my parents, Kevin and Valentina.
Our birthday was in ten days and they were busy planning her celebration.>>
Ever since Valentina came back, my birthday had quietly stopped being mine.
Mom and Dad told me, “Tina went missing on her birthday. If we celebrate too much, it might bring up painful memories for her.” Every year, without fail, Kevin would suddenly have an urgent situation on my birthday, leaving me alone.
So, for the past few years, I celebrated by myself.”
A round of small cake. A single candle to lit. That was it!
I told myself the ritual didn’t matter–that love was what truly counted. But now, I saw the truth. All things that they did was nev about protecting Valentina’s feelings.
They just wanted me out of the picture–so they could go all out for her birthday, where I wouldn’t
