NINA'S POV

Just then, Becca walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of food.

“That’s your goddaughter,” she said with a smile. “Remember when we were younger? We promised we would become the godmothers of each other’s children.”

I smiled faintly. “You didn’t tell me you had a daughter.” I slowly bent down and looked at the little girl. “Hey, little one.”

Her round icy blue eyes met mine innocently. Then I asked softly, “I look like a monster, right?”

“Hey, Nina,” Becca immediately said. “What kind of question is that?” I scoffed lightly. “I look like a monster. That’s just the truth.”

But the little girl shook her head. “No, Aunty. You’re beautiful. Mommy told me you’re beautiful and that you have a beautiful heart too.”

I froze completely. I stared down at her, not knowing how to react. When was the last time someone called me beautiful?

Instead, I smirked faintly. “Thanks, kiddo.” I walked toward the dining table quietly. This wasn’t me anymore. If it were the old Nina, I probably would have felt emotional and hugged her tightly. But now… I didn’t even know how to express myself properly.

Becca carried her daughter gently and smiled. “Tasha, your aunty is still trying to adjust.” Tasha grinned widely. “I know. I still love her.” Then she ran back toward me excitedly. “Mommy said she’ll perform surgery on your face!”

I blinked in surprise and looked toward Becca. She stood there smiling. “Yes,” she said gently. “I already paid for the surgery. Tomorrow, we’re going for it.”

Then she paused before adding “And your first love is returning tomorrow too.”

“Nelson Parker?” I asked, unsure if that was whom she was referring to. Becca smiled and nodded as she stepped closer to sit down.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and slowly picked at my food.

Nelson.

He was the boy who once made me feel safe. The one who used to sit beside me after school, sketching clothes with me while talking about our future dreams.

He was Becca’s elder brother and my childhood crush. I still remembered when I told Becca how much I liked him. She encouraged me to confess my feelings, but I was scared he would reject me because of my scar.

But surprisingly, he was the one who confessed to me. The boy who looked at my scar and called it beautiful.

I still remembered the last day I saw him before he left for France to continue his studies. “Wait for me, Nina,” he whispered, holding my hands. “When I come back, I’ll make all your dreams come true.”

Back then, I actually believed him. I waited for him… until life destroyed those dreams before they even began. “Just forget about it,” I said. My voice was dry. “Thirteen years is a long time, Becca. We were just teenagers.”

Becca sighed softly. “But he never forgot you. He kept asking about you. He knew everything that happened to you, but he couldn’t come back because of visa issues. Now that you’re out, he wants to see you… and help you take down your enemies.”

I said nothing because I had nothing to say. I just continued eating slowly. The truth was, I didn’t know how to feel anymore. Too much time had passed and a lot had happened.

The old Nina who loved easily… no longer existed.

A part of me wanted to see him again, to know who he had become after thirteen years but another part of me didn’t want him to see what I had become.

Slowly, I stood up and started walking toward the room. “Nina, did I say something wrong?” Becca asked behind my back . “Why aren’t you eating anymore?”

“I lost my appetite,” I replied.

She sighed. “You just came out of prison. You need to eat something nutritious.”

“Doctor,” I said calmly, turning to her. “Tomorrow I will flush my system. Eating this won’t change anything.”

Then I walked away.

Inside my room, I sat on the bed quietly. I hated how different I had become. I knew my behavior was hurting Becca but I was no longer the easy person she used to know. She was the only one I felt comfortable with, but now I could barely even talk to her.

I looked at myself in the vanity mirror. Slowly, I placed my hand on it. I blamed this scar for everything. If I didn’t have it… would I be beautiful? Would my life make sense?

I would never have been used by the Norman family.

My eyes darkened at the name. Norman.

What if they see me again after the surgery? Would they recognize me? My jaw tightened. I would make sure they taste the same pain they gave me. Humiliation. Disgrace. Suffering. Everything. My eyes turned red as I held back my tears. Revenge for my grandmother and for everything they took from me.

---

The next morning, my stomach twisted nervously during the drive to the hospital. I kept staring at the rearview mirror, as if trying to see my old self one last time before the surgery.

Becca noticed and gently squeezed my hand.

When we arrived, nurses greeted Becca respectfully and helped her carry her things to her office. I eventually realized how successful she had become over the years.

Meanwhile, my life was trapped in the prison walls. That thought alone hurt more than I expected. I adjusted the veil on my face as Becca led me into a private room and gave me some documents.

A nurse spoke softly. “We need your signature.” My eyes froze instantly on the paper. For a few seconds, panic rose inside me. “We need your signature…” The words repeated in my head continuously still ached.

These were the same words the Normans told me. The words that ended my life.

Becca noticed immediately. “Nina?”

I stepped back slightly. “No…” I whispered shakily. “No more papers.” I shut my eyes painfully as my head started spinning. Memories crashed into me all at once. The Norman family, the fake contract, the betrayal, the courtroom…. Everything.

My breathing came faster. Becca quickly held my shoulders. “Nina, look at me.”

“No!” I cried out. “I won’t sign it! No!”

“It’s me, Becca,” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “I won’t hurt you. Just look at me, okay?”

I opened my eyes slowly. “You’re safe here,” she said gently. “Nobody is tricking you.”

Tears filled my eyes in frustration. Prison may have ended… but the damage inside me was still there.

Becca sat me down and carefully explained each document one by one until I finally calmed down enough to sign.

---

Hours later, I was in the theater room. Nurses moved quietly around me as they prepared everything. Before I knew it, I was injected, and everything went blank.

---

When I opened my eyes again, everything was blurry. “Where… am I?” I whispered. Slowly, it hit me.. I was in the hospital.

My hand moved to my face but it was covered in bandages.

I sat up slowly, holding the IV stand, and walked toward the mirror. I stared at my reflection, hoping I would look better after the surgery.

Then the door opened. I turned immediately, expecting Becca. “Becca…”

But the person I saw made my body freeze. My heartbeat quickened instantly.