My dad died in a car crash, leaving me utterly alone, a heartbroken orphan. Julian Harrison, an old family friend, significantly older than my dad, and the city’s wealthiest man, took me in. He was ten years my senior, and he insisted I call him Julian. From that day on, he spoiled me rotten, like I was the city’s reigning princess. If I wanted the stars, he’d find a way to get them for me. If I craved the moon, he’d try to pluck it down. That all changed on my eighteenth birthday. I snuck into his study, snatching his ring, and traced it over my skin. The cold metal mimicked his touch, a phantom caress that sent shivers down my spine. The next second, the door flew open. He walked in, catching me red-handed. His face was a mask of disbelief, swiftly morphing into raw, furious rage. He screamed that I was deranged, how *dare* I harbor such perverse thoughts about *him*, my guardian. The very next day, he tore up my university acceptance letter. Then he shipped me off to a high-society finishing school, the most infamous place in the city for instilling ‘moral values’ and ‘proper decorum.’ He told me to learn what true morality and virtue meant from the teachers there, to purge those scandalous thoughts from my mind, and only then could I come back. But on my very first day, my eyes were doused with mustard. The second day, I was dragged down the staircase for two agonizing hours. The third day, a stranger somehow got into my room.
Three years later, Julian Blackwood came to pick me up. I stood at the main gates of The Sterling Institute for Young Ladies, watching the familiar black Maybach slowly pull to a stop. The car door opened, and Julian Blackwood stepped out of the driver’s seat, still exuding that same aloof and distinguished aura. What was different from three years ago was the woman in his passenger seat. She wore an elegant white dress, her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a gentle smile graced her face. “This must be Aurora, right? Hello, I’m Vivian Sinclair, Julian’s fiancée. You can just call me Vivian.” I numbly nodded, my voice barely a whisper, “Hello, Vivian.” After speaking, I turned and got into the backseat of the car. Julian sat in the driver’s seat, his face stern as he started the engine. “How have you been studying these past few years? Do you still harbor those childish infatuations?” My fingers trembled slightly, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. I remembered the days of electric shocks, being dragged mercilessly, and degrading acts of humiliation. A stone seemed lodged in my throat, making it almost impossible to speak. I trembled, closing my eyes for a brief moment, my voice barely audible, “No, never again.” Julian’s brows furrowed slightly, a peculiar emotion suddenly swelling within him. This was the answer he most wanted to hear, yet why did he still feel so uneasy? “Good, you understand.” I smiled bitterly, lowered my head, and said nothing more. The car sped along, finally stopping at the gates of the Blackwood family villa. I got out of the car, habitually heading towards my room. However, when I pushed open the door, I found it had already been converted into a cat sanctuary. Vivian stood behind me, a hint of apology on her face. “Oh, Aurora, I’m so sorry. Julian and I are getting married soon, so I moved in a while ago.I love rescuing stray cats and dogs, and your room gets the best sunlight, so I put the cats here.I’ll have the staff clear it out now.” I shook my head. “No need, Vivian. You’re the mistress of this house now. It doesn’t matter where I stay.” After saying that, I turned and went to the guest room, unnaturally docile. At dinner, Julian was exceptionally attentive to Vivian. He served her food, spoke to her in soft, gentle tones, his eyes filled with tenderness. I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, eating my meal as if none of it concerned me. Vivian spared a glance for me, saying softly, “Aurora, don’t just eat rice, have some vegetables too.” My body reacted instinctively, a programmed response. I mechanically shoved food into my mouth with my fork, a frantic, desperate act, even as my throat burned, I swallowed without a flicker of emotion. Vivian smiled at Julian. “You said Aurora was difficult to get along with, but I think she’s very compliant now, so well-behaved.” Julian looked up at me. He hadn’t expected such a complete transformation. Since my return, I hadn’t thrown a single tantrum. He nodded in satisfaction. “It seems you learned well there. From now on, just like today, get along with Vivian.” I had finished the large serving of food in front of me. I stood up and said, “I’m full. I’ll go back to my room now.” I returned to my room, closed the door, and finally let out a sigh of relief. From my pocket, I took out a small box containing the money I’d saved during my years at The Sterling Institute for Young Ladies. I recalled Julian’s words about getting along with Vivian, but my mind was already made up. I would buy a plane ticket and leave this place, leave Julian. I counted the money and found it was only enough for a low-cost flight nine days from now. I took out my phone, my fingers trembling as I clicked to purchase. The moment the ticket was issued, I closed my eyes, tears slowly streaming down my face, a mix of relief and despair. After washing up, I lay in bed, just as I had at The Sterling Institute, forcing myself to close my eyes. But perhaps it was being back in a familiar place; the moment I closed my eyes, Julian’s face kept flashing in my mind. That day, his eyes were cold, his voice low, as if coming from a great distance: “You are utterly beyond reason, completely indecent. How dare you even fantasize about your own guardian?” Past memories intertwined in my mind. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, the door suddenly opened. Someone walked in, frowning, and said, “Why are you sleeping so early? You forgot to drink your milk.” Hearing the man’s voice, I instantly jolted awake, sitting upright reflexively. I had forgotten I was home, still thinking I was at The Sterling Institute. There, whenever a man entered my room, I had to immediately unbuckle his belt, even during my period. Any delay in each step meant enduring agony worse than death. So, I frantically rushed forward, knelt on the floor, and while fumbling with the man’s belt, I cried out, “Don’t hit me, don’t hit me, I’ll serve you right away.” Just as the belt was about to come undone, all the lights flickered on. Through my tear-filled eyes, I saw Julian standing before me, holding a glass of milk, his expression a mixture of disbelief and shock. “What are you doing?!” *** [PAYWALL] ***
My lips quivered, but before I could utter a word, Julian erupted in fury. He slammed the glass of milk violently onto the floor; shards of glass scattered, and the milky-white liquid splashed chillingly cold against my feet. “I thought you had reformed, but it seems you had a new trick up your sleeve.” His voice was like ice, his eyes filled with disgust and rage. “Let me tell you, I will never have feelings for a young girl, especially not one I raised since childhood. I am not an animal. Even if you stood naked before me, I wouldn’t spare you a glance.” With that, he turned and strode away, his back as rigid as an iceberg. I stood rooted to the spot, my fingers tightly gripping the hem of my clothes, knuckles white. My throat felt constricted, unable to utter a sound. Soon, muffled, intimate sounds drifted from the room next door. “Julian, gentle… Aurora is in the next room.” Julian didn’t respond, but the sticky sound of kissing grew louder. Then came Vivian’s moans, each one more fervent than the last. The creaking of the bed also intensified with each movement. I knew Julian was deliberately warning me, making me understand my place. I was indeed in pain, but this suffering wasn’t because I still loved him. My affection for him had been completely consumed during those three years of hell. When he sent me to The Sterling Institute, Julian had told me, “Aurora, remember, I will never love you.” Three years later, I had learned my place, and I no longer dared to love him. My pain stemmed from hearing those sounds every night during those three years. Some were others’, some were my own. Those sounds clung to me like a nightmare, from which I couldn’t escape. I began to kneel on the floor in my room, facing the direction of The Sterling Institute, bowing my head repeatedly. Thump, thump, thump. The dull, grating sound of my forehead hitting the floor was sickening. “I don’t love Julian anymore, I don’t love Julian anymore, I will never love Julian again…” I chanted like a madwoman, my voice hoarse and numb, as if only this could free me from those painful memories. The next morning, I sat at the dining table, head bowed, mechanically eating breakfast. Julian and Vivian came downstairs. Vivian’s neck was covered in hickeys, and her smile was bright, almost painfully so. I kept my gaze fixed, as if none of it concerned me. After breakfast, I stood up to leave, but Julian called out, “Stop right there. What happened to your forehead?” I paused, my voice numb, “I accidentally bumped it.” With that, I turned to leave. I had already made up my mind: I would endure these remaining eight days in my room, then truly fly away. Julian’s voice suddenly sharpened. “What kind of bump could do that to your head? Are you trying to find another way to…” Before he could finish, Vivian interrupted him, “Julian, don’t be so harsh on the girl.” She smiled at me. “Aurora, Julian and I are going to look at wedding venues today. Would you like to come with us?” I was about to refuse when Julian snapped, “I just told you yesterday to get along with Vivian. Have you forgotten everything already?” I lowered my head, my voice faint, “Okay.” After visiting several venues, Vivian finally decided to hold the wedding on a cruise ship. Julian took a business call midway and went inside the cabin. Vivian and I stood on the deck, the sea breeze carrying a salty scent. We walked in silence. I wasn’t comfortable being with people like this, and just as I was about to quietly slip away, Vivian suddenly called out to me. “Aurora, I’ve always been curious, what kind of shameless person would fall for her own guardian?” My body stiffened abruptly, my fingers gripping the railing tightly. Vivian noticed my shock and chuckled softly. “Curious how I knew? I’d heard Julian had a pampered little girl by his side, but then he suddenly sent you away to learn proper conduct. I was curious, so I looked into it. That’s how I found out how utterly outrageous you were, to actually fall for the man who raised you since childhood.” My face was pale, my lips trembling slightly. “I…” Before I could finish, Vivian turned, her eyes cold and sharp. “I’ve loved Julian for many years. Now he’s finally agreed to marry me, and I won’t allow anything to go wrong, not a single hitch. Nor do I want a ‘third party’ constantly interfering in our lives after we’re married, do you understand?” I closed my eyes, my voice trembling, “I understand, Vivian. Don’t worry, I’ll leave.”
“Don’t worry?” Vivian sneered. “I don’t trust you at all. So, before the wedding begins, I’ll personally force you to leave.” With that, before I could even react, she suddenly turned and leaped into the sea. A loud splash instantly drew everyone’s attention. “Vivian!” Julian’s voice came from the cabin, and then he rushed out, jumping into the sea without hesitation. I stood rooted to the spot, my hands and feet freezing, as if I had been nailed to the deck. Julian finally managed to rescue Vivian, giving her CPR. Vivian coughed several times, weakly opening her eyes, which were misty and pitiful. “Julian, I thought Aurora had accepted me these past two days. I never imagined she would push me into the sea when I wasn’t looking. Don’t blame her, she…” Before she could finish, I completely fainted. Julian sharply lifted his head, his eyes blazing with suppressed fury. “Stubborn! What will it take for you to abandon your filthy desires?” I frantically shook my head. “It’s not like that, Uncle Julian, I truly don’t love you anymore, and I didn’t push her.” “Is there *any* truth in what you say? You just wait!” Julian refused to listen further. He scooped up Vivian and swiftly left the deck, rushing her to the hospital. I stood there, feeling as if my heart had been gouged out. Watching his retreating back, I murmured, speaking the words I had said tens of thousands of times. “Julian, I truly don’t love you anymore.” In the middle of the night, I sat alone on the sofa, waiting quietly. I knew Julian’s “you just wait” was a promise of punishment. During my years at The Sterling Institute, I had learned that running or begging for mercy only multiplied the pain. So I waited obediently, waited for his retribution. I don’t know how long I waited, but the front door was suddenly thrown open. Julian swept in, bringing with him a storm. “Kneel!” I obediently knelt on the floor, head bowed, not uttering a word. Julian paused, seemingly surprised by my compliance. He pulled a whip from the wall and approached me step by step. “Now you know how to obey? Too late! Have I pampered you too much, made you so lawless that you think the house rules are just for show?” With a crack, the whip suddenly lashed across my body! My body violently flinched, as if jolted by electricity, but I remained silent, as though the whip struck someone else. “Speak!” Julian’s voice suddenly rose, laced with suppressed rage. “Do you know you’re wrong?” “I know.” “You know you’re wrong?” Julian sneered, his whip rising again. “Then why did you do those things?” Crack! Crack! Crack! Julian’s voice was filled with suppressed fury, and the whip lashed against my back, again and again. The first lash. “Why did you push Vivian into the sea? Do you know I almost died?” The second lash. “Why did you have feelings for me? Do you know I’m ten years older than you?” The third lash. “Why are you so shameless? Do you know I raised you from childhood?” … The fifty-second lash. “Aurora, why are you so utterly outrageous, so outrageous that you make me…” Julian’s mind was consumed by rage. He had lost count of the lashes, and some words almost slipped out. Just as his voice trailed off, Martha, our housekeeper, rushed over, crying. “Sir, stop, please stop! Miss Aurora has been pampered since she was little, she can’t take it!” “Please look, there’s blood everywhere.” Julian finally stopped the whip and looked down at me. My back was covered in fresh blood, and a pool of blood had gathered on the floor, even flowing under his dress shoes. But what shocked him was that I had kept my head bowed the entire time, not shedding a single tear, nor begging for mercy. He violently pulled me up, only to find my eyes empty and numb. “Don’t you feel pain? You used to be so good at whining and begging for comfort!” I looked up, my voice calm, “Because it doesn’t hurt.” The suffering and beatings at The Sterling Institute were far worse than this. After saying that, my voice was hoarse, my face pale. “Are you done hitting me? Can I leave now, Uncle Julian?” Julian finally noticed something was wrong. “How can it not hurt? So many lashes, how could it not hurt?” He pulled open my clothing, and Martha gasped behind me. His pupils suddenly constricted, his breath catching in his throat! My back was covered in horrifying scars. Besides the fresh whip marks, there were various old scars, crisscrossing and interwoven, as if countless tortures had been etched onto my skin. My entire body seemed to have no unblemished spots, as if every inch of my skin was recounting the pain I had suffered. Julian stood before me, the whip in his hand falling to the floor with a clatter. His face instantly turned ashen, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. His fingers trembled, wanting to touch my back, yet he dared not truly touch the scars, as if afraid of hurting me. “You… How did you get these?” His voice was hoarse, tinged with suppressed rage and heartache. I lowered my head, a bitter smile playing on my lips. Did he finally realize? Realize that the so-called “Sterling Institute” was actually a living hell? But what did it matter if he knew now? Could the old Aurora, the bright, smiling little princess, ever come back? No, she couldn’t. Just as I was about to speak, Vivian’s voice came from behind me, gentle with a hint of helplessness. “Aurora, I’m not even holding it against you for pushing me into the sea, why do you still use such tricks to deceive Julian?” Julian’s face instantly changed, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “These… are all fake?” Vivian chuckled softly, her tone dismissive. “Of course. Didn’t you say Aurora was at The Sterling Institute these three years? That’s the most reputable school in the capital. She was secluded there, how could she have gotten any injuries? Julian, don’t let her trick you.” Julian’s heart instantly relaxed, but it was replaced by boundless fury. He violently threw the whip to the ground, his voice cold as ice. “You truly are beyond redemption! You won’t eat a single meal today!” I simply nodded, no expression on my face. Anyway, at The Sterling Institute, not eating was commonplace. Sometimes, when I was starving, I even had to fight with dogs for food. I whispered, “Okay.” Then I turned and walked into the room, my back thin and stubborn. Inside the room, Martha, the housekeeper who had cared for me for many years, walked in, holding an ointment. When she saw the scars on my back, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. “Miss Aurora, why didn’t you explain? How can these scars be fake? Weren’t you studying at that school? How did you get so hurt? Why didn’t you tell Mr. Julian? He cares for you so much, he’d be absolutely heartbroken if he knew!” I lowered my gaze, my eyes empty. Martha’s words were like a knife, sharply piercing my heart. Would he care? Perhaps he used to. Julian really did care for me once. When boys would give me love letters, promising joyrides in sports cars if I dated them. Julian found out and immediately sent a garage full of multimillion-dollar luxury cars for me to smash for fun, his voice filled with indulgence, “My little princess, no ordinary man can fool her away.” When I had a fever, he’d cancel important meetings abroad, flying for over ten hours to rush back and stay by my bedside all night until my fever broke. When I had period cramps, he’d personally boil brown sugar water, feeding it to me and gently coaxing, “Good girl, Aurora, drink this and the pain will go away.” Tears slowly gathered at the corners of my eyes. I gently closed them and whispered, “Martha, I’m tired, I want to sleep.” Martha wiped her tears and gently pulled the covers over me, her voice choked. “Miss Aurora, then rest well.” I nodded, slowly lay down, and tears streamed down my temples, soaking the pillow. Thinking of this, I gradually drifted off to sleep. In my dream, I returned to the past. Julian held my hand, taking me to the amusement park, buying me ice cream, and riding the carousel with me. His smile was gentle and doting, as if I were his entire world. But those memories were too distant now. They were all… from the past.
I spent a day recovering in my room, my back still stinging from the whip marks. But I had long grown accustomed to this kind of pain. Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Vivian walked in, holding an exquisite dress. “Aurora, it’s Julian’s birthday today. I’m hosting a birthday banquet for him. Would you like to come with me?” I shook my head. “I won’t go. You two can go.” Vivian’s smile froze slightly, her tone carrying a hint of threat. “Aurora, you’d better be obedient, you know.” Hearing those words, my body suddenly tensed, and my eyes instantly became vacant. It was as if I was controlled by some invisible force. I mechanically nodded, reached out and took the dress, then turned to change. Vivian watched my retreating figure, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. She had long discovered that whenever she told me, “You’d better be obedient,” I would obey without resistance, as if under a spell. She couldn’t help but wonder, was this a habit formed at The Sterling Institute? But that school was supposed to teach virtue, so how could it employ such methods? Before she could fully ponder it, I had already changed into the dress and walked out. Vivian scrutinized me from head to toe, then nodded in satisfaction. “Let’s go. The banquet is about to begin.” In the banquet hall, the lights sparkled, and guests gathered. I followed behind Vivian, head bowed, like a lifeless puppet. My appearance immediately sparked whispers among the crowd. “Is that the little girl Mr. Blackwood spoiled so much? She looks so emaciated, completely devoid of spirit.” “Right? My son used to have a crush on her, saying she was the brightest, and all the boys in school liked her. But now she looks like a doll.” “In contrast, she’s completely overshadowed standing next to Mr. Blackwood’s fiancée.” “Miss Sinclair and Mr. Blackwood are a picture-perfect couple, truly a match made in heaven.” I paid no heed to these whispers, simply following silently behind Vivian. Vivian, meanwhile, smiled and walked to Julian’s side, linking her arm through his. Her voice was sweet. “Julian, so many people are saying we’re a match made in heaven.” Julian smiled faintly, his tone gentle. “Just the truth.” When it came time for gifts, Vivian presented an exquisite gift box, her voice tinged with bashfulness. “You lack nothing, so this time I’m giving you a family planning chart. We’ll be married soon, and I plan to have a son and a daughter after we wed. What do you think?” Julian paused, instinctively glancing at me standing nearby, then quickly averted his gaze and said indulgently, “Whatever you say, I’ll listen to you.” Vivian nestled sweetly into his embrace, then turned to me. “Aurora, what gift did you bring?” I lowered my eyes, took a gift box from my bag, and handed it to Julian. Julian opened it to reveal a crystal-clear jade bracelet. Vivian glanced at it, dismissively saying, “Oh, a jade bracelet. Why would Julian wear a bracelet? You didn’t put much thought into your gift, did you?” I didn’t speak, just looked up at Julian. As expected, I saw shock in his eyes. Only the two of them knew that this jade bracelet was a Blackwood family heirloom, meant for the future mistress of the family. Back then, I had wheedled and charmed him into giving me this jade bracelet. Julian had simply thought it was a young girl’s caprice, and because he doted on me so much, he gave it to me. Now, I was actively returning it. I softly said, “Uncle Julian, I wish you happiness.” Julian’s heart suddenly clenched. Just as he was about to speak, a scream rang out. He looked up and saw the chandelier in the center of the banquet hall swaying dangerously. And the direction it was falling was precisely where I stood!
“Aurora, watch out!” Julian’s pupils constricted. Just as it fell, he rushed forward without hesitation, shielding me in his embrace. The chandelier crashed heavily onto his shoulder with a muffled thud. Fragments shattered, and the scene instantly erupted in chaos. Guests screamed and scattered. Vivian ran over, crying, her voice trembling, “Julian, are you hurt? Does it hurt? We need to go to the hospital!” Julian looked at me, trembling in his arms, and tried to control his tone. “No, it’s just a minor injury.” Vivian insisted, “No, we must go to the hospital!” Julian, helpless, had his assistant drive him to the hospital. At the same time, he instructed Vivian, “Vivian, take Aurora home. I’ll be scared alone.” Vivian’s face instantly fell. “At a time like this, you’re still thinking about her?” “Just do it.” Julian’s face was slightly pale from the pain. “After all, I raised her since she was a child.” Vivian bit her lip, then reluctantly grabbed my wrist, pulling me into the car. My mind was a blur; I could only mechanically follow Vivian. Who would have thought that halfway through the drive, Vivian suddenly told the driver to stop, glaring at me through gritted teeth. “I have something else to do, I’m not going home. You can walk back yourself.” The driver couldn’t help but advise, “Miss Sinclair, it’s very cold outside…” Vivian interrupted him sharply, “Who is going to be the mistress of the Blackwood family? Don’t you know whose orders to follow anymore?” The driver dared not say anything more, only watching helplessly as I got out of the car and walked alone into the boundless darkness. I walked for a full five hours before finally reaching the Blackwood family villa. Midway, because it was too dark to see, I accidentally fell into a puddle. By the time I returned, my clothes were soaked, my hair plastered to my face, and I was utterly disheveled. However, before I could even catch my breath, I saw that the entire villa had caught fire at some point, flames reaching into the sky. I froze, and before I could react, several bodyguards rushed over, grabbing my wrist. “Miss, you set the fire that caused Miss Sinclair to suffer third-degree burns. She’s currently in the hospital, fighting for her life. Mr. Blackwood wants us to take you to the hospital.” I was stunned, shaking my head blankly. “I didn’t…” The bodyguards dragged me into the car without explanation and drove me straight to the hospital. At the hospital, Julian’s left shoulder was still bandaged. He held a black suit jacket in his left hand, leaning against the hallway, his waist lean and legs long. His face was terrifyingly grim. Seeing me being brought in by the bodyguards, he coldly looked up, his voice laced with suppressed fury. “Are you restless if you don’t cause trouble for a day? What did Vivian do wrong for you to set her on fire like this?!” I frantically shook my head. “It wasn’t me, I didn’t…” Julian cut me off abruptly, his voice icy cold. “Enough! The evidence is conclusive. If it wasn’t you, then did Vivian purposely set herself on fire just to frame you?!” I was about to explain, but just then, the operating room doors burst open. A doctor hurried out, his tone grave. “Mr. Blackwood, Miss Sinclair’s injuries are severe. She’ll need skin grafts. Before she lost consciousness, she left a message for you, saying that you spoiled Miss Aurora too much, and that it’s unacceptable. This time, the injuries she sustained, Miss Aurora must personally pay for them.” At these words, everyone understood— Vivian meant she wanted *my* skin for the grafts!
Julian’s body stiffened, his gaze falling on me, filled with hesitation and internal conflict. His fingers trembled slightly, his heart felt like it was being squeezed by something, making it almost impossible for him to breathe. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but the words caught in his throat, forced back down. Seeing his reaction, the doctor quickly urged, “Mr. Blackwood, Miss Sinclair has already passed out from the pain. Every second of delay in the surgery will increase the chance of scarring. You must decide quickly.” Julian’s face instantly turned pale, as if he had been pushed to the brink. He took a deep breath, seemingly steeling himself, and finally said in a low voice, “I’ve always taught you that mistakes must have consequences.” Hearing those words, my heart violently clenched, as if something inside my chest had shattered. I moved my lips, as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. Because I suddenly realized that I desperately wanted to cry, but not a single tear would fall. Perhaps all my tears had been shed at The Sterling Institute. I was pushed into the operating room with a numb expression, like a soulless shell. As soon as the operating room door closed, Vivian, who had supposedly “passed out from the pain,” suddenly sat up in her hospital bed, a triumphant smile on her face, showing no signs of being burned. She smiled at the doctors, her voice tinged with a chilling coldness. “Begin. Remember, no anesthetic. Cut her skin off bit by bit.” The doctors and nurses exchanged glances but dared not defy her orders. Several nurses stepped forward, restraining my hands and feet, pinning me tightly to the operating table. I didn’t struggle, just lay there quietly, my eyes empty as I stared at the ceiling. The moment the knife sliced into my skin, excruciating pain instantly swept through my entire body. My body instinctively trembled, but I gritted my teeth, not uttering a sound. The blade cut into my skin inch by inch, and blood flowed from the wounds, staining the operating table. My fingers gripped the edge of the bed tightly, knuckles white, my nails almost digging into my flesh, yet I remained utterly silent. Vivian stood to one side, watching with keen interest, her eyes full of mockery and triumph. She chuckled softly. “You truly are a monster. To endure all this without making a sound.” I didn’t respond, just gritted my teeth, enduring the searing pain of each cut. The knife continued to move across my skin, and pieces of skin were peeled away, one by one. My consciousness gradually blurred, and the scene before my eyes began to grow dim. The operating room was left with only the cold beeping of instruments and Vivian’s triumphant laughter. “Later, throw her out for the dogs.” My consciousness finally gave out, and my vision went black. I passed out completely. When I woke again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed, my arm wrapped in a large bandage. A slight touch sent a gasp-inducing jolt of pain through me. The ward was eerily silent, broken only by the beeping of machines and the occasional hushed whispers of nurses. “Mr. Blackwood is so good to Miss Sinclair. He visits her every day and even personally feeds her.” “Yes, I heard they’re getting married tomorrow. What a perfect couple.” “And Aurora? I heard she was the little girl Mr. Blackwood raised before, spoiled rotten. How could he just abandon her now? It’s truly pitiful.” I remained silent throughout, listening quietly, then counting the days until I could leave.
The day I was discharged, Julian came to pick up Vivian and me. Vivian linked her arm through mine, falsely sweet, “Aurora, tomorrow is Julian’s and my wedding. Although your act of setting the fire was reckless, I don’t want to dwell on it anymore. Let’s just put the past behind us, shall we?” I didn’t speak, just lowered my head, my eyes empty. Julian frowned, his voice tinged with displeasure. “Didn’t you hear her talking to you?” I remained silent, as if I had lost all strength to respond. Julian was simmering with anger, and the atmosphere in the car was suffocating. It wasn’t until the car was halfway to its destination that the hotel staff called, their tone respectful. “Mr. Blackwood, there’s a slight issue with the wedding venue decorations. Could you come and take a look?” Fearing I might tamper with the wedding, or repeat the incident of pushing Vivian into the sea, he and Vivian had chosen a hotel for their wedding this time. Julian frowned and turned the car towards the hotel. Upon arriving, Julian got out and asked the staff, “What’s the problem?” The staff member respectfully said, “Mr. Blackwood, please follow me, I’ll show you.” Julian nodded, then turned to Vivian and me. “You two go rest in the room. I’ll be over after I’ve handled this.” Vivian smiled and nodded, pulling me into the hotel room. Inside the room, Vivian sat on the sofa, her voice laced with mockery. “Aurora, I truly admire you. We’re getting married tomorrow, and you’re still not leaving?” I replied, “I will leave.” Vivian scoffed, her voice filled with disdain. “You’ll leave? Do you really think I’ll believe that? It’s been so long, if you wanted to leave, you would have already. The only reason you haven’t is because you’re still clinging to the delusion that Julian might like you. I’m telling you, it’s impossible!” “Julian is my fiancé now, and I’m the one he loves! To him, you’re nothing but a redundant burden!” “Since you refuse a toast, don’t blame me for being unkind.” With that, she clapped her hands, and the door opened. A large group of homeless men rushed in. Vivian then suddenly tore her own clothes, disheveled her hair, pulled open the door, and screamed loudly, crying, “Help! Julian, help!” Julian, who had just finished up and was coming to find us, heard the screams and immediately rushed in. Vivian, her face streaked with tears, flung herself into his arms, looking utterly traumatized. “Julian, Aurora found a group of homeless men to attack me! She hates me, she wants to destroy me!” Julian looked at me in disbelief, fury like a raging inferno threatening to consume the entire room. “You truly are beyond redemption!” I opened my mouth, wanting to explain, but Julian wouldn’t listen. He said coldly, “Since you enjoy being humiliated so much, then you can stay here for the night!” With that, he scooped up Vivian and turned to leave, not even sparing me a glance. My pupils suddenly constricted, and all the blood in my body seemed to freeze instantly. The painful memories of those years at The Sterling Institute flashed through my mind— The dark confinement room, the cold whip, the sinister smiles of those men. My body trembled uncontrollably, and tears streamed from my eyes. “Uncle Julian! Save me! Please, don’t leave me here!” I rushed forward, trying to grab Julian’s jacket, but my fingers had barely touched his clothes when he coldly shook them off. I knelt on the floor, frantically kowtowing, my forehead hitting the floor with dull thuds. “I was wrong! I was truly wrong! Please, don’t leave me here! Uncle Julian, save me…” “I can’t be alone with these men, I’ll go mad, I really will go mad!” I screamed in agony and despair, tears mixing with blood as they flowed from my forehead, staining the floor. Since picking me up from The Sterling Institute, this was the first time he had seen me in such a state of collapse. Julian’s steps faltered slightly, but in the end, he didn’t turn back.
Vivian nestled in his arms, softly asking, “Nothing will happen, right?” Julian scoffed, “What could happen? I arranged for those men myself.” He paused again, cocking his ear. Hearing no shouts from the room, he confidently left. But he didn’t know that I had stopped screaming because the homeless men had already swarmed me. I had been thoroughly trained. During my years at The Sterling Institute, no matter how many men were on top of me, I wasn’t allowed to scream, or I would face even harsher beatings. The men’s hands coiled around my body like venomous snakes, tearing at my clothes, trampling my dignity. My body was like a broken doll, wantonly abused by them. My fingers gripped the bedsheet tightly, knuckles white, but I did not utter a single sound. Julian’s words echoed repeatedly in my mind: “I arranged for those men myself, what could happen?” My heart felt as if it had been brutally squeezed by something, the pain almost making it impossible to breathe. That night, I was violated the entire night. My body felt torn apart, blood staining the sheets. My eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, letting countless filthy men have their way with me. The next morning, the homeless men finally pulled up their pants and, satisfied, left the room. I was curled up on the floor, covered in wounds, like a discarded rag doll. I don’t know how much time passed before I numbly stood up, staggering out of the room. As soon as I stepped out, I heard sounds of surprise and shock all around me. “What happened to her? Why isn’t she wearing clothes?” “Oh my God! What happened? She… how could her intestines be out…” I walked forward numbly, as if everything around me had nothing to do with me. Until a boarding reminder suddenly popped up on my phone, urging me to board soon. Today was the day I had planned to escape. Just a little more, it was so close. I wanted to live so badly, even during those years at The Sterling Institute, I never gave up hope. But now, my body and soul were completely destroyed. I looked at the message, and finally, tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t leave. I couldn’t anymore. Julian, my beloved Julian, personally pushed me into hell, again and again. Just then, Julian’s call came through. As soon as I answered, a torrent of reprimands. “Are you out of your mind? You didn’t come back all night, and now you’re playing the victim? Those people were your doing, what could they possibly do to you?” I looked down at the wounds on my body, my heart a desolate wasteland. What could they do to me? Just when I wanted to start a new life, I was violated by a group of men all night again. Those painful images, intertwined with those from The Sterling Institute, would forever be etched in my memory. They… had completely ruined me. Julian continued, “You’ve caused enough trouble. Today is my wedding with Vivian. Be there on time, don’t pull any stunts. I told you, we’re impossible. You’ll see the wedding with your own eyes, and then you’ll give up!” I finally spoke, my voice hoarse and calm. “Okay, Uncle Julian, I’ll make sure you see me.” With that, I hung up the phone, pressed the elevator button, and went up to the hotel rooftop. After Julian hung up, he felt an inexplicable unease. Just as he was about to call me again, the wedding car pulled up to the hotel entrance. With a loud crash— A figure plummeted from above, landing directly in front of his car. Screams of horror erupted all around, and he slowly looked up, his pupils suddenly constricting— Through the shattered car windshield, he saw my face. Covered in blood, eyes wide open, unseeing.
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