For five years, everyone said I was dead. Even the boy I grew up with burned paper money for me every year on my "death anniversary." But he was also the one who said he wanted to cut ties with me, the one who said we should never contact each other again. Later, I returned to the States and ran into him at a bar. Before I could even say hello, his bodyguards pinned me to the floor. He looked at me with chilling indifference. "Who allowed you to get plastic surgery to look like her?" Then he ordered his men: "Ruined her face." Wait, how did the guy I haven't seen in years suddenly turn into a criminal? 1 As soon as I walked out of JFK, a figure in black tackled me. "Zoey, I missed you so much!" It was my best friend, Chloe. We hadn't seen each other in years, and the feeling was mutual. She hugged me for so long I started to lose my breath. "Chloe, that's enough. Oxygen." "Right, right." Chloe let go, her eyes sparkling. "You're not leaving again this time, right?" I nodded. "Yeah, I'm staying." Chloe suddenly thought of something and burst out laughing. "If Liam saw you, would he think he's seeing a ghost?" Liam was my childhood sweetheart, the only guy I ever loved. Before I came back, Chloe filled me in on what happened back home. Liam wasn't the same Liam from five years ago. He climbed the ladder faster than I did and was now the head of the Sterling family empire. And me? I spent five years hiding in Europe just to stay alive. Surviving this long used up almost all my luck. I hadn't contacted Liam in a long time. I looked at Chloe. "You didn't tell him I was coming back?" Chloe smirked mischievously. "Nope. Serves him right for being so heartless back then." Back then... My thoughts drifted. Liam and I were solid. We planned to marry after graduation. But my dad's sudden illness revealed a secret: I had two half-brothers and a half-sister I never knew about. Dad was on his deathbed, and to fight for the inheritance, they planned to get rid of me. A staged car accident left me hanging by a thread. Mom didn't trust anyone in the States anymore. She sent her most trusted aide to take me abroad for treatment. Before leaving, I called Liam to say goodbye. Afraid he'd worry, I didn't mention the accident. Liam misunderstood. He thought I didn't trust him and kept questioning me over the phone. "Why are you leaving? I told you I'd do everything to help you." "Do you think I'm not capable enough?" I never doubted Liam's heart. But back then, we were young and powerless. I didn't want to drag him down. And I didn't even know if I would survive. So I hardened my heart. "My mind is made up." Liam's voice choked up. "Zoey, please. Don't go." I gripped the phone tightly, forcing out the last words. "Liam, I'm sorry." At that, Liam laughed bitterly. "Zoey, this is the first time I've begged anyone. And the last." "If we meet again, let's pretend we're strangers. Don't contact me." The moment the call ended, I couldn't hold on anymore. Everything went black, and I fell into a long coma. 2 When I regained consciousness, it was twenty days later. I was in Switzerland, my injuries healing. The first news I heard was of my death back in the US. Aunt Helen, who accompanied me, explained: "The moment our private jet landed, your dad's illegitimate kids spread the news that you died in the crash. They wanted to use public opinion to seize the assets quickly." "Your mom decided to play along and confirm your death so they'd stop hunting you. It frees her up to deal with them." "Illegitimate kids have inheritance rights, sure, but they need to be alive to collect." "Just recover here. Your mom will handle everything back home." I understood. But thinking of Mom fighting those wolves alone... I had no mind for anything else. I threw myself into rehab, desperate to get back and help her. But my injuries were severe, especially my face. It was practically destroyed. Even with the best medical team Mom hired, I looked different than before. Chloe recognized me immediately because we video chatted often. I linked arms with her. "Then let's keep it a secret." No one stays in the same place for five years. Let the past stay in the past. 3 Chloe didn't take me home immediately. Instead, she drove me to a cemetery in Upstate New York. She pointed to a tombstone with my name on it, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. "Look at this guy. Said he didn't love you, but burned paper money for you for five years straight." "Said he loved you, but dates the heiress of the Vance family. Heard they're close to tying the knot. I'll take you to crash their wedding feast." I didn't speak, staring at the hyacinths in front of the grave. My favorite flower. This deception seemed to have fooled only Liam. What was he thinking when he heard I died? I shook my head, chuckling at myself. He has a new life now. Why dwell on it? The Vance heiress must be a great girl. Leaving the cemetery, Chloe chattered non-stop. "You've been gone five years. The city's changed so much, right?" "Our old school area is all high-rises now." "I have a list on my phone of all the best spots I've vetted personally." "I don't care, you have to come out for a drink with me tonight." So, without even dropping off my luggage, I was dragged to a bar. As soon as we sat down, she whispered conspiratorially: "You've been a nun for years. Want me to order two male models for you to play with tonight?" My first instinct was to refuse, shaking my head vigorously. Chloe ignored me. "Relax, the quality has gone way up in the last two years. Satisfaction guaranteed." I was shocked. Looks like she does this often. Meeting my gaze, Chloe shrugged. "Don't look at me like that. You think I'm silly enough to believe in true love like you?" Knowing Chloe wanted it, I didn't stop her. 4 People really do change. Five years ago, Chloe hadn't even been in a serious relationship. Now she was handling two male models with ease. Afraid she'd get drunk and taken advantage of, I didn't drink much. Even my bathroom break was a speed run. But in my rush, I ran smack into a wall of muscle coming out of the restroom. I rubbed my head, muttering, "Who has a chest hard as a wall?" I looked up and froze. It was Liam. How... how is this coincidental? The man opposite me saw my face and froze too. Recovering, he grabbed my wrist, voice uncertain. "Zoey?" I didn't really want to acknowledge him, but since I was recognized, I braced myself to say hi. But before I could smile, Liam threw me to the ground. His expression was terrifyingly cold, as if he didn't know me at all. "Who allowed you to get plastic surgery to look like her? Did Layla Vance send you? To test me?" "Do you think I'm that easy?" A bloodthirsty glint flashed in his eyes. He turned to his bodyguards. "Ruined her face." Pinned down by Liam's bodyguards, I couldn't believe it. How did the guy I haven't seen in years turn into a criminal? Whether I'm the real Zoey or not, this is illegal! Why did Liam become like this? My limbs were immobilized, my jaw held tight. Someone approached me with a knife. The whole time, I stared into Liam's eyes. Just as the blade was about to touch my face, Liam closed his eyes and spoke. "Forget it. Next time you appear in front of me, you won't be so lucky." They left quickly. Still shaken, I looked at the corner. There was a security camera. I pulled out my phone without hesitation. "911? I want to report a threat and assault."
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