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Chapter 7

Author: Icy Rabbit
"They're not needed anymore. You can buy new ones later."

After all, he and Natelie would have plenty of new things once they got married.

Wendy threw the box away and headed back upstairs. Just as she reached the door, she heard Lucas speaking in a hushed tone.

"Don't worry, Nat. I'll make sure she comes to our engagement party."

A sweet, playful voice responded on the other end of the call, saying, "Hmph, I want to see her face when she realizes her boyfriend of two years is now my fiancé. She loves attention, doesn't she? I will make sure she gets plenty of it!"

Wendy tightened her grip uncontrollably.

She forced a stiff smile—as if their plan would fail next.

Sure enough, Lucas handed her an invitation when she went back in.

"Wendy, there's an event in seven days. Come with me, okay? You have to be there."

She looked at him for a long time before taking the card. Her voice was calm.

"Alright."

She prepared a gift for them even if she would not attend it.

Lucas did not return home for the next few days, using work as an excuse. Wendy took the time to pack her belongings.

Two days before she left, the university hosted a graduation party.

Although she had moved out of the dorms, she had a good relationship with her classmates. She wanted to bid farewell to them before she left for two years.

She had not expected to see Natelie and Lucas there.

Natelie held onto Lucas' arm, a bright, innocent smile on her face.

"I heard you're graduating today, Wendy. I gave your boyfriend the day off to celebrate with you!"

Wendy knew well of Natelie's intentions. She took a step back and kept some distance between them.

Natelie, pretending not to notice, moved even closer.

Wendy did not realize she was standing near a champagne tower.

Natelie's eyes flickered before she suddenly gasped and lunged toward Wendy.

Wendy stepped back on instinct, and her elbow hit the table.

The champagne tower collapsed instantly.

The glasses shattered, and golden liquid spilled everywhere.

Without thinking, Lucas shielded Natelie.

Wendy crashed to the ground.

Glass shards pierced her skin. The floor was a mixture of her blood and champagne.

The alcohol seeped into the wound on her abdomen, fresh blood oozing from the barely healed incision.

Her face turned deathly pale.

Through blurred vision, she saw Lucas carefully inspecting Natelie for injuries. His hands trembled as he checked her arms and shoulders.

For a moment, she saw the Lucas from two years ago—the one who used to stand in front of her.

She tried to reach out to Lucas with her shaking hands. However, before she could do so, her strength gave out. Her arm fell limply to the ground.
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    When Wendy opened her eyes, she was wrapped in bandages from head to toe.The doctor stood by her bed, his expression filled with pity."You had too many glass shards embedded in your body. We had to operate for five hours to remove them all."The wounds on your body are minor. They will heal with time. But there's a deep cut on your face. The flesh was already torn when you were brought in. We stitched it up, but it will leave a scar unless you undergo reconstructive surgery."It will cost 1300 dollars to do the surgery. You should pay the fees now."She had less than 200 dollars left—far from enough for the operation.With difficulty, Wendy said, "Doctor, I—I'm not doing the surgery."The doctor frowned."Are you sure? The scar will be permanent. It's on your face."Every woman cared about her appearance, but she simply could not afford it.After a brief silence, Wendy nodded."Then, you may be discharged now. Just be careful not to get your wounds wet," the doctor said.

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 9

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  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 11

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    Two years ago, when the lie began, Lucas lived every day behind a mask. He hid his true self from Wendy, carefully maintaining his act.Even though the cramped, run-down apartment was smaller than his family's bathroom, he pretended to love it like it was home.Even though the clothes she carefully picked from discount sales were stiff and uncomfortable, he acted like they were his favorite.Even though he hated street food, he sat beside her, devouring greasy skewers and laughing like he had never tasted anything better.Over time, something strange happened.He got used to it.A life without wealth.A life filled with warmth instead of luxury.The tiny apartment felt more like home than his cold, empty mansion.The cheap, scratchy clothes carried a sincerity that no designer brand ever could.And without even realizing it, Lucas fell in love.It was not just with Wendy but with the life they shared.Yet, all of those were nothing but lies, and they were meant to be shatte

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  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 15

    Lucas immediately booked the earliest flight abroad when he learned Wendy's whereabouts.However, before he could board the plane, his father—face dark with anger—stopped him. Then, he slapped Lucas hard across the face."You ungrateful son! How much longer will you make a fool of yourself?"She's only an orphan with nothing to her name, and you canceled your engagement with the Coles for her?"I let you live like the poor and date that girl for two years to teach her a lesson, but that doesn't mean I will ever allow her into our family!"My daughter-in-law—whether she's from the Coles or not—must be of equal status to us!"Ethan's head snapped to the side from the force of the slap, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his lips.Yet he stubbornly met his father's gaze."I will not marry Natelie. I will not marry anyone else. I only love Wendy!"His father's chest heaved with rage. He raised his cane and struck Ethan across the back."Ground him!"No matter how much E

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  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 16

    "How is that possible? We've only been apart for half a month. We were happy for two whole years, weren't we?"He began listing all the memories they had shared desperately.However, to Wendy, every word he said only reminded her of how foolish she had been."Our so-called happiness was built on a lie."Lucas had no way to refute that.All he could do was look at her, his eyes filled with silent pleading.His voice trembled as he said, "Wendy, I know I'm in the wrong. It was my fault. I shouldn't have lied to you."But the things we went through together were real."Lucas' apology meant nothing to Wendy.She had given him everything.She had loved him with all she had, only to be used as a tool in his little game.From the moment she uncovered his deception, whatever love she had for him had already ended.She could never forgive a lie."Do you think such an apology is enough to cure the pain you put me through these past two years?" Her voice was steady, but every word st

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    Lucas immediately booked the earliest flight abroad when he learned Wendy's whereabouts.However, before he could board the plane, his father—face dark with anger—stopped him. Then, he slapped Lucas hard across the face."You ungrateful son! How much longer will you make a fool of yourself?"She's only an orphan with nothing to her name, and you canceled your engagement with the Coles for her?"I let you live like the poor and date that girl for two years to teach her a lesson, but that doesn't mean I will ever allow her into our family!"My daughter-in-law—whether she's from the Coles or not—must be of equal status to us!"Ethan's head snapped to the side from the force of the slap, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his lips.Yet he stubbornly met his father's gaze."I will not marry Natelie. I will not marry anyone else. I only love Wendy!"His father's chest heaved with rage. He raised his cane and struck Ethan across the back."Ground him!"No matter how much E

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 14

    Wendy had just come out of surgery. The bandages on her face blurred her vision as she reached out, trying to feel her way along the wall.Just then, a pair of strong hands extended toward her."Wendy, give me your hand. I'll lead the way."The voice belonged to Ethan Chapman, a senior in her university's exchange program. He had also been a student of Professor Wayson, just like her.They had worked in the same research lab back home, so they had known each other for some time.On her first day in England, he was the one who picked her up from the airport.He helped her settle in, walked her through campus, and even accompanied her to registration.Wendy smiled and placed her hand in his."I'm afraid I'll be a burden to you for a while," she joked.A faint flush crept up Ethan's ears, though he kept his face composed."Don't mention it. It's a senior's duty to take care of those who are new. Besides, Professor Wayson personally asked me to look after you. He'll scold me for

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 13

    Two years ago, when the lie began, Lucas lived every day behind a mask. He hid his true self from Wendy, carefully maintaining his act.Even though the cramped, run-down apartment was smaller than his family's bathroom, he pretended to love it like it was home.Even though the clothes she carefully picked from discount sales were stiff and uncomfortable, he acted like they were his favorite.Even though he hated street food, he sat beside her, devouring greasy skewers and laughing like he had never tasted anything better.Over time, something strange happened.He got used to it.A life without wealth.A life filled with warmth instead of luxury.The tiny apartment felt more like home than his cold, empty mansion.The cheap, scratchy clothes carried a sincerity that no designer brand ever could.And without even realizing it, Lucas fell in love.It was not just with Wendy but with the life they shared.Yet, all of those were nothing but lies, and they were meant to be shatte

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 12

    "Impossible!"Lucas never knew she was missing a kidney.The doctor sighed, still holding the medical report."Mr. Shalton, please take a look."Lucas snatched the report from him.His vision blurred as he read the results. His knees nearly buckled.He could not accept it; he did not know anything about it.He panicked.He called his assistant immediately. He wanted to know where Wendy had been for the past few weeks and what she had done.When he hung up, he collapsed onto a chair in the waiting area, gripping the medical report tightly.The entire hospital lobby fell into silence. No one dared to speak.About 30 minutes later, his phone rang.He answered instantly with trembling hands."Speak," he ordered.The voice on the other end hesitated for a moment before finally speaking."Mr. Shalton, we found out that Ms. Shaw sold her kidney for 70,000 dollars on the black market two weeks ago. According to our sources, she did it to pay for someone's medical treatment."Bo

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 11

    Lucas nearly floored the gas pedal on his way to the hospital.He would never have known that Wendy had been injured at the graduation party if he had not glanced at the local news before returning to their rented apartment.She had been lying in the middle of shattered glass, surrounded by champagne and blood.He felt guilty and regretful. He had been protecting Natelie all night and had not even noticed Wendy on the ground.In the days that followed, he had been too busy preparing for the engagement to check on her. All he had done was send a single, rushed message.She had been in the hospital—alone. She must have been devastated.As he sped past a flower shop, he suddenly hit the brakes.He walked inside and asked for a bouquet of yellow roses.Yellow roses symbolized apology and one's hope for forgiveness.He needed to say sorry for everything he did that hurt Wendy.He would tell her the truth—about his identity, about why he had approached her in the first place.Then

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 10

    The people around Lucas were confused.Previously, he had never gotten angry when they mocked Wendy."Get out! None of you are allowed to lay a finger on her!"His outburst was so loud that it carried into the next room, where Natelie was doing her hair and makeup.She hurried over to see what had happened—only to find Lucas' usual group slinking out of the room, their faces pale.She jogged over and clung to his arm, pouting."Today is our big day, Lucas! Don't be bothered by them."Lucas turned to look at Natelie.She wore a white evening gown, a short veil perched delicately on her head.It was a scene he had imagined countless times.He could already picture how stunning she would look in a wedding dress.However, at that moment, none of that mattered."Natelie," he said slowly."Why did you make me be Wendy's boyfriend in the first place? Do you really love me?"Natelie blinked, confused by his sudden question.She had only ever seen Lucas as an older brother when t

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 9

    At the hotel where the engagement party was hosted, Lucas sat stiffly in his chair as the stylist worked on his face.For some reason, he did not feel as excited as he had imagined.Marrying Natelie had been his dream for years.She used to see him as nothing more than an older brother—until two years ago, when she came to him crying, saying someone had bullied her.He was angry. He rushed to stand up for her without hesitation.However, Natelie did not want simple revenge.She had wanted that person to experience pain like never before.Lucas did not understand what she meant at first.When she carefully explained her revenge plan, he had refused her.He could not pretend to be someone else's boyfriend. He only liked Natelie.However, she had begged and coaxed him, promising that if he played along and made her happy, she would finally agree to marry him.In the end, he gave in to her demand.For two years, he had convinced himself that the real goal was to make Natelie hi

  • Left in Darkness   Chapter 8

    When Wendy opened her eyes, she was wrapped in bandages from head to toe.The doctor stood by her bed, his expression filled with pity."You had too many glass shards embedded in your body. We had to operate for five hours to remove them all."The wounds on your body are minor. They will heal with time. But there's a deep cut on your face. The flesh was already torn when you were brought in. We stitched it up, but it will leave a scar unless you undergo reconstructive surgery."It will cost 1300 dollars to do the surgery. You should pay the fees now."She had less than 200 dollars left—far from enough for the operation.With difficulty, Wendy said, "Doctor, I—I'm not doing the surgery."The doctor frowned."Are you sure? The scar will be permanent. It's on your face."Every woman cared about her appearance, but she simply could not afford it.After a brief silence, Wendy nodded."Then, you may be discharged now. Just be careful not to get your wounds wet," the doctor said.

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