1 Because of my scars, my brother and my fiancé forbade me from ever taking off my veil. Every stunning profile shot the media managed to capture of the mysterious pianist was attributed to my sister. Everyone believed she was the prodigy, the genius behind the alias Luna. But tonight, I decided to finally take off my veil at the awards ceremony and reveal my true self. My brother blocked my path. “Darcy, can you just let your sister accept the award for you? She doesn’t have much time left. Her only wish in this life is to stand in the spotlight just once.” A cold chill settled in my chest. This was the fifth year in a row he had used that exact excuse. I turned to look at my fiancé, hoping for some support. Instead, he frowned. “What? You’re not willing to do this for her?” “Kelly’s illness is so severe. Why can’t you just make her dream come true? You can always explain the truth to the public later.” He handed me a small jewelry box. “Actually, I was planning to propose to you tonight. If you let your sister have her moment, this ring is yours.” “Darcy, don’t be so selfish.” My lips twitched into a bitter smile. I held the tiny, pathetic diamond ring in my palm, remembering the drawer I had accidentally opened in my sister’s room two days ago. Inside was a ring identical in design, but ten times the size. I took a step back. This time, I was done giving things up. Hank raised his voice in front of all the backstage staff. “Darcy, say that again?” I met his gaze. “I said, I’m going up there to accept my award myself.” Hank took a step forward, towering over me. His finger practically brushed the tip of my nose. “Your sister has one final wish, and you won’t even give her that? Darcy, do you have a single shred of decency left in you?” Kelly rose slowly from her makeup chair. She wore a champagne-colored silk gown, her long hair pinned up in an elegant, intricate bun. She looked like she had spent hours preparing for this very stage. She dabbed her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “Hank, don’t press her,” she said softly. “It’s just my bad luck. I shouldn’t have expected so much from life anyway. We all have to leave this world with some regrets.” Her head dropped, her shoulders trembling with quiet, delicate sobs. Hank’s eyes welled with tears of pity. He pulled her into a tight, protective embrace. “Don’t talk like that! You are not going to die. I’ll find you the best doctors in the world. I’ll take you wherever you want to go, and if you want to stand on that stage, I will make sure you do!” He glared back at me, his eyes full of cold authority. “Darcy, you’re young. You’ll have plenty of chances to win awards in the future. Does this single night really matter to you? Your sister doesn’t have that luxury.” Does this single night really matter? I had heard that exact line for five long years. Last year, I fell in love with an antique necklace at an auction. Kelly saw it and said she liked it too. Without a second thought, Hank took it and clasped it around Kelly’s neck. “Darcy, you look beautiful in anything. Let your sister have this one. She’s sick and depressed, let’s just make her happy.” When our parents passed away and left me their house, Kelly casually mentioned she wanted to live there. Hank took my keys and handed them to her on the spot. “Darcy, Kelly’s health is fragile. Living in the old house makes it easier to get to the hospital. Just let her have it. Does it really matter where you sleep?” For years, every time I yielded, Kelly’s illness would miraculously improve for a couple of days. Then, it would take a sudden turn for the worse, repeating the cycle until my next sacrifice. It was an endless, exhausting drain, squeezing every drop of life out of me. “Darcy!” Another voice cut through the air. Jared, my fiancé, stormed over and grabbed my wrist. “Have you lost your mind?” His grip was so tight my bones ached. “I am perfectly sane,” I replied, staring him down. “Look in a mirror! Have you forgotten what you look like?” He scoffed. “Who else could ever stand looking at a face like yours? If you go out on that stage, are you accepting an award, or are you just trying to humiliate both of us?” I froze. He called me ugly. He called me an embarrassment. But who was the reason my face was scarred in the first place? 2 Ten years ago, on a sweltering summer afternoon, Jared took me out to the countryside to paint. We stood on a crumbling, abandoned stone bridge. He was busy capturing the scenery, while I watched from his side. The bridge had been neglected for decades. Suddenly, the stone beneath his feet gave way, and he began to slip backward over the edge. Without thinking, I lunged forward and shoved him toward safety. He tumbled onto the grass, scraping nothing but his knees. I plunged into the jagged ravine below. A rusted iron rod tore through my left cheek, ripping the flesh open from my cheekbone down to my jaw. Blood soaked the earth. The surgeon had to use thirty-seven stitches to put my face back together. After that day, a hideous, jagged scar became a permanent fixture on my left cheek. Jared had knelt by my hospital bed, weeping, swearing he would love me forever, that he would never care about my scars, and that he owed me his life. But promises fade. Human hearts rot. I stared at him, unable to believe my ears. “Jared, you’re using my face to hurt me?” A flicker of guilt crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by his usual, patronizing coldness. “I’m only looking out for you. The internet will tear you to pieces. You’ll be crying before the night is over. Darcy, try to have some self-awareness.” I trembled, my eyes burning with unshed tears. I forced them back. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the velvet box, popped it open, and looked at the cheap, pathetic ring inside. The diamond was so small and poorly cut it resembled a piece of broken glass. I laughed softly, tossing the box back into his chest. “Think whatever you want,” I said. “I don’t want to marry you anymore anyway. And tonight, I am going up on that stage to claim my own award.” I turned on my heel. Jared lunged, grabbing my arm and pulling me back so hard I nearly lost my balance. “What the hell is wrong with you? There’s a limit to how much of a tantrum you can throw!” I sneered at him. “Jared, tell me the truth. Did you actually buy this ring for me? Or did you buy a real one for Kelly and just toss me the free gift?” His face stiffened. The ring was indeed laughably tiny. Two days ago, I had found an identical box in Kelly’s vanity. But the diamond in her drawer was ten times the size of mine. At the time, I found it strange. But later, I saw an advertisement for that exact jewelry store. The Collector’s Edition. Limited to one piece worldwide. Value: Eight million dollars. Limited to one piece. That meant the eight-million-dollar ring was sitting in Kelly’s drawer, while the scrap of glass in my hand was likely nothing more than a complimentary token. Exposed, Jared’s expression turned defensive, but he quickly assumed his usual high-and-mighty posture. “What are you talking about? I just thought your features were… a bit delicate, too understated to carry such a massive stone. It would look out of place on you. I didn’t mean it as an insult. Delicate is a compliment. Stop acting up. If you really want a big one, I’ll buy you one later.” He dismissed it so easily. Of course he would. He was rich enough to throw money around without a care. Last year, when Kelly claimed she was having trouble breathing, he spent fifty million dollars to charter a private jet and fly in a world-renowned team of respiratory specialists. The doctors spent three days running tests only to conclude there was no physical issue, suggesting she simply needed rest. Fifty million dollars, gone in the blink of an eye. The year before that, Kelly wanted to see the Northern Lights. He leased a private jet and flew her halfway across the globe. When they returned, Kelly claimed she was exhausted and her condition had worsened, prompting him to spend tens of millions more on consultants. Again, they found nothing. Over the years, he had poured over a hundred million dollars into Kelly’s endless whims. But for me, he couldn’t even buy a proper engagement ring. Seeing my stubborn refusal, Kelly chimed in from behind, her voice dripping with artificial distress. “Darcy, please don’t be mad at Hank and Jared. It’s all my fault. I’ll tell them right now that I don’t feel well and won’t go on stage. Jared… my chest feels so tight… I think it’s happening again…” Frantic footsteps scrambled behind me. The steps leading to the main stage were right in front of me. I lifted my foot to take the first step— Suddenly, a rush of cold, viscous liquid poured over the back of my head. It drenched my collar, trickled down my neck, and soaked my entire back. The sharp, chemical stench of red paint filled my nose, clinging thick and heavy to my skin. I froze. Hank stood behind me, holding an empty paint bucket. “Hank?” My voice was choked, barely a whisper. “Now you don’t have time to go on stage, do you?” Hank’s eyes reflected my pale, paint-streaked face. “Just let Kelly take your place. The credit is still yours, and since Kelly is beautiful, everyone will praise Luna as a goddess. Even if you explain the truth later, the public will only admire you for being such a loving, supportive sister.” He patted my shoulder gently. “I’m older than you, Darcy. I’ve walked more roads than you’ve eaten grains of salt. Stop being so stubborn. Listen to your brother and go change your clothes.” 3 I couldn’t understand when my brother had become such a monster. When we were kids, he had climbed over a tall brick wall just to get me a candied apple, scraping his knee raw in the process. I remember crying and asking him, “Does it hurt, Hank?” He hadn’t shed a single tear. He just pressed the sweet treat into my hands and grinned. “Not at all. As long as Darcy is happy, it doesn’t hurt.” Later, to buy me a birthday present—a giant, expensive teddy bear—he worked grueling shifts at a construction site, hauling drywall until his hands were covered in bloody blisters. He never complained. Now, a stage manager wearing a headset ran over. Seeing me drenched in red paint, he stopped dead in his tracks. “Miss Darcy? What happened to you? Thank goodness we still have time. The awards ceremony has been delayed by an hour due to a technical glitch. Let me find you a spare dress to change into.” He turned to fetch a dress, but a heavy hand gripped his shoulder. Jared had walked up, his face dark with fury. “Who told you to interfere?” Jared grabbed the manager by the collar, pulling him so hard the veins on the man’s neck bulged. “Mr. Jared, I… I was just trying to help Miss Darcy. Her dress is ruined.” “Go to HR and collect your final paycheck. You’re fired,” Jared said, pointing toward the exit. “Now get out of my hotel.” This venue belonged to one of Jared’s luxury hotels. Here, his word was law. The stage manager realized there was no point in arguing. His lips trembled, but he slowly took off his vest, bowed his head, and walked away. Before he walked out the door, he turned back to look at me. There was no anger in his eyes—only a deep, sorrowful pity. I clenched my fists. “Jared, you fired an innocent man just to coddle Kelly? This is his livelihood! He has a family to support!” Before Jared could snap back, Kelly pressed a hand to her forehead, groaning softly. “Please, don’t fight because of me. I really don’t feel well. I don’t want to go up there anymore. Darcy, let me take you back to the dressing room so we can clean you up and rest.” As if possessed, I followed her into the private suite. “Take a seat, Darcy.” I remained standing. Kelly walked over to the vanity, picking up a bottle of expensive perfume and casually spritzing it. Her movements were smooth and graceful, showing none of the weakness she had feigned moments ago. “Darcy, stop fighting it. We’re only doing what’s best for you, aren’t we?” She stopped in front of me, reaching out a hand as if to touch my scarred cheek. I flinched away. “Kelly, they’ve favored you for years. Why do you have to steal the only thing I have left?” Her hand hovered in the air before slowly dropping back to her side. The sweet smile on her face flickered for a brief second, then returned, sharper this time. “Because I hate you.” Before the words fully left her mouth, she suddenly stumbled backward, throwing herself to the floor. With a dull thud, she crashed onto the carpet, clutching her knee and letting out a piercing, agonized shriek. Before I could even process what she was doing, the door to the dressing room was thrown open. 4 Jared and Hank rushed in. Seeing Kelly sprawled on the floor, their faces twisted in panic. “Kelly!” “What happened? Are you okay?” Kelly clung to Jared’s chest, her tears flowing freely. “It was my fault… I lost my balance and tripped… It has nothing to do with Darcy…” Despite her words, her fingers gripped Jared’s sleeve so hard her knuckles turned white, her body shivering like a leaf in a storm. Jared looked up at me, his eyes burning with venom. “Darcy, have you lost your mind? Your sister is incredibly sick, and you pushed her?” “I didn’t touch her.” “I saw it with my own eyes!” Hank roared. “You were standing right next to her! Who else could have pushed her?” One wiped her tears, while the other patted her back. It was a pathetic, rehearsed drama they had performed a thousand times. “Darcy,” Hank said, picking Kelly up in his arms, his eyes filled with pure disgust. “Heaven knew how ugly your soul was, and that’s why it gave you such a hideous face.” Jared supported Kelly’s other side, murmuring softly to soothe her. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Everything is going to be fine. If you don’t get better, I won’t even think about marriage. I’ll put my wedding with Darcy on hold. Don’t worry about it.” Kelly offered a tearful, delicate smile, her voice soft as silk. “Don’t say that, Jared. Darcy will be heartbroken.” “Then you need to get well quickly,” Jared said, squeezing her hand. “I can’t have my wedding without my beautiful maid of honor.” Their voices drifted down the corridor. Under the harsh hallway lights, their three shadows stretched and merged into one, looking like a perfect, exclusive family. I stood alone in the empty dressing room, staring at my reflection. The sticky red paint was drying on my hair, my veil, and my dress. I looked like a stray dog drenched in blood. The scar on my left cheek stood out prominently, looking like a jagged, red centipede crawling across my skin. Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. A junior staff member walked in, carrying a fresh dress. “Miss Darcy… it’s time for you to go on stage. Let me take you to the washroom to clean up first.” I wiped my face and followed him. He led me down one corridor after another, turning into increasingly isolated, dimly lit wings of the building. The crowds vanished. I stopped walking. “Where are you taking me?” The staff member turned around, his face tight with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Miss Darcy. Mr. Jared ordered that this door remain locked until the ceremony is completely over.” He pushed open an unmarked wooden door, revealing a dusty utility closet packed with old sound equipment, discarded backdrops, and cardboard boxes. “Please wait here. It won’t be long.” With a heavy click, the door locked from the outside. 5 I sat on a dusty box, my knees pressed against my chest, staring blankly at a small monitor mounted on the wall. It was a backup screen connected to the security feed of the main stage. The lights dimmed, and the host took the microphone. Under the dazzling spotlight, to the sound of thunderous applause, Kelly walked out onto the stage. She wore my dress. She wore my veil. With effortless grace, she accepted the crystal trophy, bowing elegantly to the crowd. The moment she unveiled her face, a collective gasp echoed through the auditorium. “My God, she’s gorgeous!” “An absolute angel!” “No wonder she kept her face hidden. What a waste to keep that beauty in the dark!” “We love you, Luna!” They chanted my name, but they cheered for her face. I felt as though every drop of blood had been drained from my body. I slumped to the cold floor, entirely hollow. The ceremony wrapped up quickly. Wiping the tears from my face, a sudden realization struck me—I couldn’t just sit here and take this. I reached into my pocket. My phone was still there. I opened my social media app, logged into the official account that had millions of followers, and began to type: My name is Darcy. The person who just accepted the award was my sister, not me. I am currently locked in a backstage utility room, and this was all planned by— Before I could hit post, the door was thrown open. Hank charged in, snatching the phone straight out of my hands. He stared at the draft, his face turning an angry shade of purple. “What do you think you’re doing? Are you trying to ruin your sister?” “I am taking back what belongs to me!” I screamed, utterly hysterical. “Hank, you can’t just steal my life and hand it to her!” “I never said you couldn’t clarify things later!” Hank bellowed back. “But you have to wait! If you post this now, the entire world will tear her apart! She can’t handle that kind of stress! She’ll die, Darcy! How can you be so heartless to your own sick sister?” “What about me?” my voice cracked. “I’m locked in a closet like trash! Does anyone care about me?” Hank scoffed. “Can’t you just wait a little while? You’ve waited years, what’s a few more weeks?” “I’m not waiting another second,” I said coldly. He let out a harsh, mocking laugh. “Fine.” “If you insist on posting this, Jared and I will both go public and call you a liar and an impostor. Who do you think the world will believe?” My vision blurred, the room spinning around me. My own brother was willing to commit perjury just to destroy my reputation and protect her lie. Jared stepped into the room behind him, looking thoroughly annoyed. He took the trophy from Kelly, who had slipped in behind them, and tossed it carelessly at my feet like a piece of garbage. “Isn’t this what you wanted anyway? Now you have it. What more do you want?” “If you want to throw a fit, do it here. We’re going out to celebrate.” The door slammed shut, and the utility room plunged back into darkness. I don’t know how much time passed before an elderly cleaning lady opened the door with a master key to clear out some trash. Seeing me sitting on the floor, she gasped in horror. “Oh, child! What on earth happened to you?” My eyelashes fluttered, heavy with dried paint. “Could I borrow your phone, please?” Without hesitation, she handed it over. I opened a travel app and booked the very next flight to Europe. The moment the booking was confirmed, a single tear fell onto the screen, smudging the digital ticket. I thanked her, using the wall to pull myself up. “Wait, dear.” The cleaning lady stopped near the corner, bending down to pick up the crystal trophy. She wiped the dust off with her rag and looked up. “Is this yours? Don’t leave it behind.” My name was engraved on the base. The gold letters glinted under the dim hallway light. I stared at it. “I don’t want it anymore.”
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