"Three years ago, Avery, you were no match for Megan, and three years later, you still cannot match Lena. This time, you will not leave prison alive," Megan declares with extreme arrogance.
Regaining my composure, I scoff. "Using the face you despise most to win Evan over—don't you find that ironic, Megan? A counterfeit will always remain just that, never the real thing."
"You..." A flash of spite crosses Megan's face but quickly vanishes, replaced by a triumphant smirk. Her smile, tinged with malevolence, betrays her intent. "Don't be too confident, Avery. I win anyway! Remember, you are now at my mercy. Killing you would be as simple as crushing an ant."
I understand Megan's implications. With Evan unconscious, the police naturally trust the words of his 'lover,' making it easy for her to target me.
I am taken to the police station.
Following a series of interrogations, I appear pale and emotionally drained. As I sit in a corner feeling on the verge of collapse, the door to the interrogation room opens.
Overwhelmed by the relentless questioning, I break down. Thinking the interrogation will continue, I start crying quietly in the corner.
A pair of polished leather shoes appears before me, followed by a comforting embrace. I am lifted, and an affectionate kiss is placed on my forehead. A gentle voice reassures, "Avery, don't be afraid. I've come to take you home."
Seeing Evan's handsome face, my emotions are mixed. Though I did not anticipate his arrival, I am grateful he is here.
He looks paler than me, his steps unsteady as if lacking strength, yet his hold is reassuringly firm.
The hand I place on his chest feels wet and warm. Glancing down, I see my palm stained with blood. Shocked, I stare at him, speechless.
Evan, mistaking my shock for fear, reassures me with tenderness on his pale, weak face. "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you."
My hand, smeared with his blood, clenches into a fist. Evan, if you had shown me even half this tenderness earlier, we might not have reached this dire point. There's no going back now.
When I was taken away, he lay on the operating table, his life hanging by a thread. The doctors said the ceramic shard had grazed dangerously close to his fragile heart. It was risky but had not damaged the heart. Mere hours after I was taken, he miraculously woke and rescued me from the police station.
It is evident he cares for me, but what does that matter now? We have drifted too far apart. My heart has died; I no longer love him, nor do I wish to.
Suppressing the turmoil on my face, I speak softly, "Let me go, Evan. I want no further entanglement with you..."
Before I can finish, Evan collapses onto the car seat with me, remaining motionless on top of me.
Startled, I widen my eyes and push him gently, "Evan, Evan? Wake up..."
Sitting beside his hospital bed, I observe him with his eyes tightly shut. The domineering aura has faded, making him seem harmless.
Yet, having been deeply hurt by him, I am no longer moved by this gentle version of him.
I shift my gaze from his face, a bitter smile touching my lips. What a cursed fate this is! I have let go of him, yet he persists in haunting me relentlessly.
