I spent the whole night packing.
Sebastian never came home.
At some point, I got a text–from his phone.
It was a picture.
Isolde, practically glued to his side, with Sebastian kissing her on the cheek.
They looked like they belonged together.
And I felt… nothing.
Not even sadness.
Just numb.
I blocked Sebastian without hesitation and booked the earliest train out of town.
As I stood in the middle of our tiny apartment, suitcase in hand, I took one last look around.
Every inch of this place, Sebastian and I had decorated together.
Now, it felt like a lie.
A sudden wave of rage surged through me.
From the living room to the kitchen, the bedroom to the bathroom-
Every trace of him, I smashed to pieces.
I stared at the framed photo in my hand.
My eyes burned, but no tears fell.
Then I lit it on fire.
The moment the flames rose, I was dragged back to that day.
The day Isolde lit my hair on fire.
No one knew I jumped.
No one but me.
I remember the way the fire flickered in her eyes–cold, fascinated.
11:58
Chapter 6
And in that moment, I knew:
If she started this nightmare, then she deserved to end it with me.
I grabbed her hand as I jumped.
People rushed in and pulled me back.
That’s the only reason she made it out.
That night, she fled the country.
Because she knew-
If she’d held on, I wouldn’t have fallen.
Everyone thought it was an accident.
But I knew the truth.
I wanted to fall.
The flames licked my fingers, yanking me out of the memory.
I dropped the half–burnt photo, face now unrecognizable.
And for the first time in years, I felt light.
Sebastian had no idea.
It was never really about him,
It was always about her.
I left the apartment and went straight to the train station.
Destination: Riverbend.
Home to the best scar treatment clinic in the country.
On the train, I blocked every number Sebastian had.
Our old selfie still sat as the chat background.
But we were from different worlds now.
The memories felt like smoke and mirrors–never real to begin with.
I was finally reclaiming my life.
But I wasn’t about to forget.
11:58
Chapter 6
Sebastian Kane.
Isolde Thorne.
One day, I’ll return.
As soon as I got off the train, I went straight to the hospital to check in.
Even though I had an appointment with a top specialist, I was surprised to find a young doctor waiting in the exam
room.
Late twenties, maybe early thirties.
Sharp features, wire–rimmed glasses.
He looked up as I wheeled my suitcase in, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Suddenly, I felt awkward.
4
“Sorry, doctor,” I said quickly.
“I came straight here from the station. I can leave my luggage outside-”
He held up a hand and gave me a warm smile.
“It’s fine. You can leave it there.”
After the consultation, his expression turned more serious.
“You should’ve come sooner,” he said with a frown.
“If we’d started treatment right after the injury, the scarring wouldn’t have spread this much.”
I looked down at my hands–rough, scarred–and spoke quietly.
“I didn’t have the money back then.”
He paused, then his eyes softened.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound harsh.”
I looked up, surprised.
It had been a long time since anyone had spoken to me with kindness.
After all the tests were done, he studied the report and frowned again.
“Your facial scarring is pretty severe,” he said carefully.
“Full recovery would require surgery–and it comes with significant risk.”
11:58
Mu D.–n
Chapter 6
Surgery.
My heart practically stopped.
After five years of living in the shadows, I had given up hope.
But now–there was a chance.
Even with the risks, I didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll take it,” I said breathlessly.
“I don’t care how risky it is.”
“If there’s even a chance I can get my face back, I want it.”
The doctor nodded, a gentle strength in his voice.
“I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
As I was leaving, he suddenly called out.
I turned around.
He pointed to his name badge with a smile.
“My name’s Nathaniel Graves.”
