Truth Behind The Glasses | Exo D.o.

Chapter 9

Thanks for all the support I really mean it.

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The morning after the masquerade ball felt surreal. I stumbled into my house, still reeling from the previous night's whirlwind of emotions. My mind was a haze of masked faces, laughter, and the haunting allure of the man I had danced with. But reality hit hard as I remembered my stepmother was back in town. I rushed to find my aunt and my best friend, Jinah, desperate for answers.

"Kiara! You're back!" my aunt exclaimed, her voice filled with surprise. She stood in the kitchen, hands on her hips, a frown creasing her brow. Jinah was seated at the table, her phone in hand, her expression shifting from confusion to concern as I burst through the door.

"I need to know what's happening!" I gasped, my chest tightening. "My stepmother is here. I saw her at the ball!"

Jinah's eyes widened. "What? I thought she was in Europe. No one mentioned she was coming back."

"She was there last night! I can't believe it," I said, pacing the room. "I thought I'd finally escaped her grasp, but now she's right here."

My aunt exchanged a worried glance with Jinah. "Sit down, Kiara. There's something you need to see." She turned to the television and switched it on. The news anchor's voice filled the room, urgent and serious.

"-the heir to the family fortune, Victoria Sinclair, has returned to town after a prolonged absence. Sources say she will assume control of her late husband's company," the anchor reported.

My heart dropped. "What? This can't be!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of panic. "She can't just take over everything like this!"

My aunt nodded gravely. "Kiara, it's not just that. There's more. The news is saying that your stepmother's return marks a significant shift in the family's leadership. She's been preparing for this since your father-"

"Since my father's death!" I interrupted, frustration boiling over. "And what about me? I should have a say in this!"

Jinah leaned forward, concern etched on her face. "Kiara, you need to understand that they think you're dead. They haven't seen you since the accident. Your stepmother has been living her life, pretending like she's in charge."

I felt my stomach drop. "Dead? They think I'm dead?" The weight of those words hit me like a punch. I had been living in the shadows of my stepmother's influence, but now it felt like I had been erased entirely.

"Yes," my aunt confirmed, her voice gentle but firm. "The news reports announced it after the tragedy, and she's used that to her advantage. No one knows you're alive."

"What kind of world is this?" I whispered, my voice trembling. "I can't believe she's taken everything from me, even my own identity."

Jinah reached across the table, grasping my hand. "You can't let her win, Kiara. You're still here, and you have a voice. We need to figure out how to expose the truth."

I nodded, a spark of determination igniting within me. The masquerade ball may have given me a taste of freedom, but now it was time to reclaim my life and confront the reality my stepmother had constructed. I wouldn't be a ghost in my own story anymore.

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Epilogue
Doh Kyungsoo Pov.

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The day after the ball.

The morning sun filtered through my bedroom window, casting soft beams of light across the floor. I sat on my bed, still trying to process the events of the masquerade ball. My mind was a whirlwind of memories-the laughter, the music, and most importantly, the girl in the beautiful mask who had captured my heart, even if just for a fleeting moment.

As I glanced at the small object on my bedside table, I realized it was the phone she had dropped in her haste to leave. I had picked it up right after she dashed away, curiosity gnawing at me. I knew I shouldn't, but the temptation to unlock it was overwhelming. I picked it up and turned it over in my hands, tracing the delicate designs on the case. Who was she? I had no idea, and that only fueled my intrigue.

With a deep breath, I pressed the home button, and the screen lit up. My heart raced. I felt a twinge of guilt, but the longing to learn more about her was stronger. The wallpaper displayed a cheerful picture of a little penguin. "Cute," I muttered to myself, already feeling a sense of connection to her, even if it was through something as simple as a wallpaper.

Notifications began to appear, and one in particular caught my eye. A message popped up from a contact named "Cinder." My breath caught in my throat. Cinder? It couldn't be. My mind raced back to our conversation on the dance floor. She had mentioned something about seeking a little magic for the night. Was it possible that this was her?

I hesitated, my finger hovering over the message. Curiosity battled with my better judgment, but in the end, my desire to know her won out. I tapped the message, and the screen opened up to a conversation filled with playful banter and inside jokes. The last message read: "Little penguin long time no see.tomorrow I won't be texting you I will be in a ball.

A smile broke across my face as I read the exchange. This was definitely her. The way she spoke, the humor, the warmth in her words-it all felt familiar. I scrolled through the messages, feeling like an intruder but unable to stop myself. I wanted to learn everything about her, from the little things that made her laugh to the stories she shared with her friends.

After a moment of deliberation, I knew what I had to do. I would return her phone. She deserved that much, and maybe-just maybe-this would lead me to her. I needed to see her again, to understand more about the girl who had danced her way into my heart, even if she didn't know it yet.

With a newfound sense of determination, I set the phone down and began planning how to find her, knowing I had to act quickly before this magical moment faded into memory. And maybe I should tease her of figuring out herself. Maybe I will go with that.