Chapter 1

On the day of Zoran's pharmaceutical company's IPO, I was back in the hospital for another skin graft due to an infected ulceration on my burn-injured face, as I couldn't afford treatment.

Zoran video called me: "How does it feel to be abandoned now, after choosing a wealthy heir Elias for money back then?"

He noticed I was in the hospital: "What are you getting fixed this time? You plastic surgery freak."

I forced a laugh through the pain: "Mr. Carlisle, this time I'm hoping for a skin transplant."

He scoffed and hung up.

But what he didn't know was that I wasn't there for plastic surgery.

Three years ago, in that fire, I traded half my face to save his life.

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1

The doctor examined my face: "Miss Langdon, our artificial skin is showing signs of rejection on you... If we don't perform another skin graft, your life could be in danger."

I nodded indifferently.

Just then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

It was Zoran.

I hurriedly put on a mask to cover the ulcerated scars on the lower half of my face, trying my best to appear nonchalant.

But he walked right past my hospital room.

I heard his little girlfriend Mist's whiny voice: "Zoran, my finger hurts so much. It's all red from the burn. Do you think the skin will peel off?"

So he was here accompanying his new girlfriend for a burn.

He anxiously asked the doctor: "How's her injury? Is it serious? Does she need a skin graft surgery?"

The doctor sighed helplessly: "It's just a minor hot water burn. Running it under cold water will do. Aren't you just wasting medical resources?"

Mist pouted: "But it really hurts. I'm a pianist, you know. My hands are so delicate... Zoran, can we go to another hospital for a second opinion? I'm worried my hand will become ugly, and you won't want me anymore."

Zoran patiently comforted her: "That won't happen. How could I ever not want you? You're my most precious treasure."

As I heard these words, I felt a stab in my heart.

Of course, three years had passed, and he should have a new future.

This was what I had wanted to see back then.

But I still couldn't help feeling heartbroken.

As I was trying hard to hold back my tears, a shadow suddenly loomed over me.

Startled, I looked up. It was Zoran.

His brows were furrowed: "My pharmaceutical company is going public. As a former partner, don't you have anything to say?"

I took a deep breath: "Will there be any stock dividends?"

He was taken aback for a moment, then immediately sneered: "Vivienne, is money all you can think about? You're nothing but damaged goods now, secondhand, used by me and Elias. You think getting plastic surgery to look like a goddess will find you another sucker?"

I feigned composure: "Mr. Carlisle, why bother? We've already broken up. If you keep this up, I might think you still have feelings for me." "Since you know I—"

Zoran's words were cut short as Mist walked in from outside, linking her arm with his.

"Zoran, I came out and you were gone. So you were looking for your ex-girlfriend, huh?"

Zoran remained silent.

Mist narrowed her eyes, sizing me up from head to toe.

Taking me by surprise, she yanked off my face mask.

Half of my face had rotted into a mass of flesh, with ulcerated wounds oozing yellow pus, a horrifying sight.

Zoran froze, his eyes instantly widening, but he couldn't utter a word.

Mist immediately covered her eyes and hid behind Zoran. "Ahh! That's disgusting!"

"Her... how did her face end up like that? I'm going to be sick..."

Zoran stared at me intently, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard, his brows furrowed tightly in disbelief.

"You..."

But his words were interrupted by Mist: "Oh my God, Vivienne, you're a real freak! Did your plastic surgery turn out like this because Mr. Grey wouldn't give you money, so you went to some back-alley clinic and the operation failed?"

She kept making retching sounds. "Zoran, I can't believe you used to kiss that face. Isn't it disgusting?"

I remained silent, my expression blank.

Mist tugged on Zoran's arm. "Let's get out of here. Looking at her like this is totally killing my appetite."

Zoran finally snapped out of it, glaring at me coldly. "How dare you show your face in public looking like that? You might as well just die already."

With that, he put his arm around Mist's waist and left the hospital room.

I lifted my head to watch their retreating figures.

My gaze was calm, devoid of any emotion.