Chapter 3 Yes

He cynically said, "What do you expect, Andra? 11 years have gone. Of course, a lot has changed."

I'm freaking out of patience right now! I'd want to know!

"How about those surveillance cameras on that corner?"

This has been our daily routine since we returned to the Philippines. There is a significant barrier to overcome. We only chatted once in a while at first because Daddy was usually home, but now that he isn't, we talk more frequently. We don't know where he goes when he vanishes, nor do I.

My fury never fades when it comes to Mom, and I always push her away when she comes to visit me. I knew I would forgive her eventually, but I didn't know how long it would take. I know it's disrespectful to conclude without hearing her complete explanation, but it's entirely her fault, in my opinion.

"Andra, it's been 11 years! So, what do you expect-"

My teeth were clenched in rage. "So it's been deleted? I'm very sure they erased it forcibly!"

My mother's assailant was a teacher at a top California high school!

"In that case, the people attacking you are not regular people," Vince remarked.

How can I prepare my strategy when I don't have any power, nor do the Johnsons?

"Dammit..." I muttered under my breath at the notion.

I'm out of options.

A succession of door bangs awoke me. I leaped to my feet, thinking it was Vince, but Daddy's heavy sighs were all I heard.

"D-Daddy?"

He exclaimed drunkenly, "Oh, my lovely daughter... It's been a week, haven't you changed your mind?! Fuck, you're such a pain in my life!"

I clenched my fist. See? They have no chance! So there's no reason for me to decline his offer.

The news Vince delivered just reinforced my determination. The fiancee of LIS's lone heir is Soleil Jenner, the woman Selena killed. That suggests I've already got a good chance. The Jenner family was well-connected and influential! So it would be advantageous if I could imitate her appearance and deceive her family.

When I heard the door open, I gently rose and braced myself. Daddy's angry eyes met mine, clearly waiting for my response.

He would hit me, but when he heard what I said, his hands froze in the air.

"I agree. I'll imitate her face," I stated firmly, his hand dangling in the air.

His face lit up with a wicked grin. It was as though my choice had depleted his drunkenness.

I'll go to whatever length to avenge myself, even if it means risking my life.

As I glanced in the mirror, I told the Maid who was packing my things, "Pack lightly. I don't need those clothes anymore."

I'm not sure how or why Selena murdered Soleil. I'm sorry, but I don't have time for both. I will not let my mother's death go unnoticed, and I will pursue the justice she deserves.

Maybe I'm too late, but you can be sure that I'll exact my finest vengeance wherever my mother is now.

My outfit consists of a black halter strap top, a black cardigan, slim jeans, and over-the-knee boots.

I was straightening my hair when I heard a loud slamming door and flinched, injuring myself since I had accidentally let go of the straightener. I was ready to reprimand whoever did it when I noticed Vince, who was visibly upset. On the tip of his lip, there was some blood. He appears to be aware of my strategy.

As I watched his chest rise and fall, I smirked and rose to assist the Maid with her packing. Behind me, I sensed his presence.

"Is what Uncle said true?" he asked emphatically.

My lips were pressed together. I didn't inform Vince since I assumed he wouldn't go through with my plan. Nothing would change my mind. No one can.

No one has the power to alter my plans.

He compelled me to face him when I refused to look at him. He gripped my shoulders firmly.

"Is it fucking true, Andra?!"

"Yes, it's true," I said calmly as I withdrew his hands away from my shoulders.

He pulled himself together out of frustration.

"Why are you doing this, Andra?! Do you even know how much your actions will cost you now-"

"Do you think I hadn't considered it, Vince?"

"Think about it, Andra! Imitating her face entails-"

When we heard some glass cracking, our argument came to an end. We both had a look at it. My mother's eyes widened, and her lips fell open as we both noticed her horrified expression. She didn't care about the ones she shattered since she moved in closer to me.

"Andra, is that true? Is what I heard true?" she said, but no one responded. Because of her question, Vince and I both averted our gazes.

Vince stated plainly, "Aunt, you misheard it."

"No! Never hide a secret from me!" my foster mother said as she turned to face me.

My mouth was constricted. "You heard it correctly-"

She didn't let me complete by slapping me, and it took me a few minutes to recover from her actions. She's never hit me before; she's always been sweet and compassionate with me!

"Aunt!" exclaims Vince.

I trembled a couple of times, and I could see the regret in her eyes for what she'd done. I withdrew with every stride she took.

"I apologize, sweetheart..."

I nodded, trying not to cry in front of them. "You slapped me... You fucking slapped me! How could you do such a thing to me, Mom!" I exclaim.

Vince scolded me again for yelling, "Andra!"

As I glanced at them both, I clenched my teeth.

"You guys have no idea what I'm going through right now! You have no authority to overrule my judgment because you don't know anything! I'm so close to being with my mother!" My make-up is no longer relevant to me since I sobbed so hard. "I'm almost near enough to hug and kiss her! I can almost feel her warmth! But she's gone in a flash! If you had let me go on that night..." my voice trembled as I gazed at my guilty foster mother.

While sobbing, she attended to me. Because of the tears, my vision has become fuzzy.

"Are you questioning why I did that?" she exclaims. "It's because I love you, Andra, and I don't want her to take you away from me!" Tears are running down her cheeks in torrents.

"If you truly love me, you won't harm me!" I gently nudged her, but she quickly fell over.

Andra, screw you! I diverted my gaze instead of giving my attention to her. My heart must be turned into stone. Because, as I previously stated, I do not want anybody to have access to my heart, I stand to lose nothing at the end of this.

As I dragged my bag out of that room, my chest rose and fell. I sobbed even more complicated when I heard her footsteps and her voice begging me to return. My decision will also help her. She can have therapy in another country.

When Daddy spotted us, he put down his phone. Before his eyes turned to my back, his brows wrinkled. I hopped into the car after handing him my stuff.

After hating her and placing all the blame on her, I thought I was the worst daughter, but watching her cry now feels like there are so many daggers in my heart.

I instantly rolled up the window of the car. I don't want to hear her sobbing voice; hearing her cry pains me. I dried my tears as soon as Daddy got in the car, taking a few minutes.

"Let's go," I said to the driver, ignoring Mommy, who was punching the car window.

My fist tightened when I noticed Mommy was still chasing us and weeping. Vince was following her from behind till I couldn't see them anymore.

My phone went off. Both Daddy and I exchanged glances. He arched an eyebrow when he spotted the caller, but I still picked up the phone.

"Let's forget about our times together. Andra is going to die, isn't she? And Soleil Jenner will live again," Vince said as he hung up the phone.

I lowered the phone into my lap gradually. I'm not going to regret this, am I? I will not allow it!

"After the procedure, take her overseas for therapy..." I said quietly as I looked in the rearview mirror. When I noticed the slight scrape on the side of his mouth, my brow wrinkled.

Did Vince punch him? Oh my gosh!

"Of course, a husband does it to his wife."

The plane landed smoothly in South Korea. I didn't think I would get back here right away. I feel so empty because this is the first time I've been here without Vince by my side. I brought Dad into my old penthouse.

I drink away all of my loneliness. I'm now drinking in front of a mirror.

Daddy doesn't want to spend any more time. Therefore, the procedure will take place tomorrow.

Even though I've digested everything in my thoughts, I don't feel any doubts right now.

Daddy, who had just entered the balcony, asked, "Why are you drinking? The procedure is tomorrow." He tossed a brown envelope across the table. I locked my gaze on it.

"I only want to drink; what's that?" I said, referring to the brown packet.

"Look at Soleil's image; it will be your face starting tomorrow," he added sternly before taking a seat in front of me with his shot glass in hand.

I smirked coldly before looking up and admiring the moon's splendor. I used to call myself 'Luna' as a kid since that was the name I wanted. Luna refers to the moon, and I wanted to be one. Like the moon, I want people to look at me with admiration rather than disgusted in their eyes. The servants before didn't treat me as well as Mom and Dad since they said I was just recently adopted. They think I didn't deserve their help, but it's ok with me since it's the truth.

That's why I adore Yaya Delia, who turns out to be my biological mother and defends me against the witches. On those that bullied me, she called them witches.

I still hadn't opened the envelope Daddy had placed in front of me after a few minutes. I'm not brave enough to open it. My gosh!

He cleared his throat. "How come you're not opening-"

I interrupted him.

I drank the wine and continued, "I intended to surprise myself tomorrow."

He sighed deeply before rising. Before leaving me, he warned me, "Control yourself. You still have surgery tomorrow."

I'm upset because of his reminder; every time he reminds me of the procedure, I feel like I'm in agony since I was, and for him, a tool that would cover up all of Selena's troubles.

I'm not sure how many hours - days - have gone by since the surgery began. My face is still bandaged, and it's starting to irritate me!

I gasped. Is Daven no longer willing to forgive me? He didn't even bother to call me! It's all right; I'll win him back.

My father and the Doctor came minutes later. My hand became clenched. Andra, this is it; there's no going back. I could hear Daddy's heavy sighs as the Doctor carefully removed the gauze wrapped around my face.

What's the matter with him?

The Doctor handed me a hand mirror and said, "Open your eyes now, Andra."

As carefully as I could, I opened my eyes.

After seeing my new appearance, I instantly lowered the mirror.

My mouth was pursed.

I'm no longer Andra; I'm now Soleil.