Don't Look In The Mirror [One-Shot]

⋘ Her name was damned, her captivating blue eyes haunted everyone's dreams throughout the night, and her voice still echoed in the memory of those who once knew her. ⋙

✶

Almost frightened, Ámbar walked past the mirror on her dressing table, instantly regretting her actions as soon as she saw her heart-rending reflection staring back at her. Tears were running down her pale cheeks, tracing the contours of her face like delicate streams. Her eyes, usually bright and sparkling, were now clouded with anguish. 

"Seems like your castle crumbled overnight, my Queen"

She accumulated the little energy she'd left in her body, grabbed the first object that crossed her path, and threw it in front of her, destroying the malicious reflection. She needed these damn voices to go away once and for all. Blood started running down her hand, as some pieces of broken mirror scratched her, but at that moment, she couldn't care less. That sight was almost deliberating.

"Destroying your reflection won't stop you from facing the truth."

She knew the truth, it was an accident.

"No, it wasn't. You're fully aware that these are merely the consequences of your own choices. All those people left you alone for a reason. Throughout your life, you've done nothing but hurt and lie to the people who surrounded you. Most of them, probably never even cared about you."

What if those voices that haunted her thoughts were indeed correct? After all, who could possibly love someone like her? Certainly not Simón, who had fled the moment the blonde unveiled her true self. Ámbar regretted falling for him all the time, it had been a grievous mistake, and it was even more inexcusable the fact that despite the painful conclusion of their relationship, her emotions for him lingered; she missed his deep chocolate eyes, his sweet disposition and voice, telling her how beautiful she looked in the sunlight or when a strand of hair moved by the wind covered her face. It was impossible to forget how they almost had it all, no matter how hard she tried to. 

"He's never been truly in love with you, Ámbar. He was in love with an idea of sorts, a hologram he'd created in his mind. He couldn't bear the thought of being in a relationship with someone as vicious as you."

She could've easily spun a tale, claiming she was born with a heart of stone, or that she loved playing with fire and causing trouble. Yet, the truth was far more painful: it was her loneliness that had forged her cruelty.  Sharon's inability to express affection had left deep scars, twisting her into someone ruthless. At times, Ámbar wondered why the older woman had chosen to adopt her in the first place, it was evident that her presence was unwanted, a burdensome reminder of something bitter. Perhaps if her godmother had never adopted her her life would have been different. She'd now be a happy 18-year-old, unencumbered by a troubled past and the haunting remnants of misguided teachings.

"Ámbar, to achieve your goals, you must overcome every obstacle in your way."

Sharon's familiar voice resonated in her mind. This lesson had shaped her perception of Delfi and Jazmín, preventing her from seeing them as true friends. Instead, they were mere instruments in her quest for success, vital to overcoming obstacles that stood on her path. She relied on them not for companionship, but as essential tools in her relentless pursuit of her ambitions.