Chapter 2

I closed my eyes and "passed out" just as I had in my previous life, still wearing the same clothes.

The carriage curtain was drawn aside, and Derek's face was now completely devoid of its earlier tenderness.

"Cassia, after today, your identity will belong to Hadley. Blame your father and brother for refusing Prince Antonio's invitation—they brought this upon themselves," Derek said.

His fingers traced my cheek, his tone almost regretful.

I fought back my nausea and continued to pretend to be unconscious. After a while, he stepped out of the carriage and ordered coldly, "Back to the estate."

I was sent into the secret room from my previous life, and Hadley's impatient words reached my ears. "Wallace, hurry up. Let's get started."

"The scene will be bloody. Mr. Garrett, you may wish to step outside," Wallace said.

Then Derek turned and left.

The cold blade pressed against my cheek, sending chills down my spine. The moment Wallace turned to fetch gauze, I opened my eyes.

The next moment, I knocked Wallace out. Hadley stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Why aren't you unconscious?"

I smiled faintly and picked up the blade, walking towards her. The memories of my previous life made my eyes gradually turn red.

If it weren't for that drug, with my family, the Myers, being generals for generations and me having trained in martial arts since childhood, how could they have succeeded?

Without hesitation, I shattered her vocal cords. Terrified, she fell to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

I reached out and restrained her. The knife cut into her skin. Ignoring her pained expression, I peeled off her face and threw it on the ground.

Blood covered my hands. Hadley had fainted as soon as I cut off her face. After that, I stripped off her clothes and put them on.

A sharp inhale came from behind—Wallace had regained consciousness. I quickly washed my hands and wrapped gauze around my cheeks.

"What happened to you?" Wallace frowned when he saw me.

I chuckled softly and said, "Wallace, it seems your skills are quite good. Did you think I was Ms. Myers?"

"You're Ms. Morgan? Has the face already been swapped? How did I black out?" he asked.

"How should I know? Luckily you didn't faint during the procedure. If you ruined this, I'd have Derek punish you!" I said.

I imitated Hadley's arrogant manner. Thankfully, Derek had been meticulous—Hadley's voice and mine were extremely similar. In my previous life, even Marshall and Katelyn hadn't found the difference.

He eyed me suspiciously and ventured, "Ms. Morgan, do you still remember what you told me earlier you would do after the surgery?"

"Since you remember, go stitch on that pigskin you found," I snorted.

The doubt in Wallace's eyes faded. "Shall I go do it now?"

After that, Wallace tried to open the door. I didn't move.

"Is it done?" Derek walked in, his eyes full of excitement.

"Derek, come here. Wallace said people would die without their skin, but I don't want her to die. Should we sew on the pigskin?" I said.

I stepped forward and looped my arm through his, laughing. "It'll be so much fun to see her with pigskin on her face, won't it?"

"Whatever makes you happy, Hadley." Derek chuckled softly, his eyes full of affection.

I lowered my gaze to hide the coldness in my eyes, then looked up and smiled at Wallace. "Hurry, Wallace. I want her to watch our wedding like a monster—how entertaining!"

"Got it." All suspicion vanished from Wallace's eyes. He picked up the pigskin and began sewing.

Hadley woke from the pain, her eyes flying open as she struggled.

"Oh dear, has the drug worn off? Why is she awake?" I covered my mouth in feigned shock, pretending to be frightened and hiding in Derek's arms.

"Wallace, can't you work faster? It's horrifying, all this blood." I urged.

"Yes." Wallace called two assistants inside. Hadley was restrained as the pigskin was stitched onto her face.

Her eyes turned blood-red, filled with hatred and pain. She stared straight at me, unable to speak, only able to let out broken screams.

I smiled and stared into her eyes, feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

Hadley, why so angry?

I was only giving back what you did to me. And this was only the beginning.