When His Perfect Mask Shattered, I Awoke Novels & Stories

“We thought-“ “And when my mask fell off when I was cursed; they saw how weak I was, how useless I was. How pretentious I was, no one ever stayed on my side, even asked my side. You only love me when I’m perfect, you only love me when I was at my best but could never accept me at my worst. You find me hideous, don’t you?” “No, why would-“ “DON’T LIE TO ME!” “I’m sorry,” his tears pulled mine too. Once I saw it streaming down his cheek, I felt mine too. “I failed to protect you.”

“I don’t have time for this.” I stepped in his way again. “Then make time. You don’t get to act like I never meant anything to you. Talk to me!” That was when his mask broke. “Do you think I don’t miss you?” he hissed. His eyes were filled with so much emotions “Do you think I don’t wake up every damn day remembering how you looked when you were unconscious? How I sat beside you, hoping you'd live?” My breath caught. He was shaking. Not visibly. But I felt it. The tension. The heartbreak. The war behind his carefully composed face.

My eyelids drooped, and I surrendered to the pull of sleep. For once, I dreamed of warmth. Of laughter. Of Alaric’s arms around me, the faint press of his lips against mine— that feeling of being wanted, cherished. It was a beautiful dream, soft and weightless. I smiled in my sleep, certain of it. Until the world shattered. I felt a sudden, brutal pressure crush my throat. My eyes flew open to darkness, confusion slamming into panic in a heartbeat. There was a figure above me that seemed like a man, going by build alone. His face was hidden behind a mask, his gloved hands locked tight around my neck in an attempt to delete me.

Because even if everything else was a lie, even if this whole thing was a manipulation, that part was real. I didn't regret it. I should have. But I didn't. He smiled. Small. Sad. Like he could see right through me. "Get some rest. You look exhausted." Then he was gone. The door clicked shut behind him. I sat there on the bed. Listened to his footsteps fade down the hallway. Heard the front door open and close. Only then did I let myself breathe. Only then did I let the mask slip. My hands were shaking. My whole body was shaking.

“That night five years ago, a car had mistakenly hit you and we took you to the hospital, don’t you remember?” “We?” Becca looked skeptical and Melisa rolled her eyes before throwing her hands helplessly in the air. “Have you been smoking again?” She inquired with raised brows. “I didn’t wake up on the right side of my bed, melisa. Everything has been so hazy and I can’t….” The words hung in her throat when a familiar someone walked up to them and her eyes almost fell out of their socket. Harden, her murderer of a husband.

I’m sorry. I thought, feeling the recoil of the crowbar after the first impact. As Mirabella screamed bloody murder, and Amber quietly sobbing in the corner, I knew the truth: Every time I wore this mask, I lost another piece of myself, replacing it with him. And one day, there might be nothing left.

Awake now, amid the wreckage and scattered feathers, I have at least reclaimed my dignity and freedom. I inhale deeply and reach for the intercom. "Let all departments know, we're meeting in five minutes in the conference room for the new project launch." The past was behind me, and the future seemed bright. No one could easily sway my world anymore.

“In through your nose out through your mouth. We are right here. No one is going to hurt you. Just tell us what you saw. One thing at a time.” I shook my head fast tears falling harder now because I could still feel the gloved hand on my chin still hear that voice calling me Isho still see the white hair falling around that cruel face when the mask came off. “I left the room,” I repeated voice rising higher almost frantic. “I left the room. I left the room!”

he instructed, gesturing to the masks that were lying in front of us. "Dad, mine broke," I said, holding up the broken mask for him to see. "What the fuck did you do?" he asked, shaking his head in exasperation. But then, seeing the disappointment on my face, he softened. "Here, take mine," he said, handing me his mask. Gratefully, I took the mask from him and placed it over my face, feeling a sense of excitement building inside me as the lights in the room began to dim. Suddenly, a voice came over the speakers from the front of the room, and I felt a thrill of anticipation run through me.

Camila ***The Next Morning*** I awoke with a pounding headache. Where was I? The unfamiliar room sparked a moment of panic. A figure lay beside me, his face still obscured by a mask. My vision was blurry, and a sudden headache reminded me of the hangover from the excessive drinking the day before. "Who...?" I stammered. He turned, revealing piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. "Alpha Zedex," he groaned his voice sending shivers down my spine.