Beneath the Glittering Mask

1

My parents’ eyes were red and swollen, filled with nothing but concern as they pulled me into their arms, arranging for several bodyguards to escort me to the hospital.
The hospital director himself came forward, personally overseeing the surgery for my fractured legs.
When the anesthesia wore off, the pain in my lower body hit me in waves.
I felt my eyes well up, tears I couldn’t hold back.
I had been with pilot Ethan Blackwood for four years.
Our families came from very different worlds, so I had never told him the truth about my background. I’d always claimed to be an orphan, hoping to surprise him when he eventually proposed.
But who could’ve imagined that just a month ago, Ethan’s childhood friend would return to the country?
Ethan placed her above everything else, and without regard for my feelings, insisted on bringing me on his private plane with her.
Noticing my cold demeanor, Sophia Greene smirked, covering her mouth as she laughed.
“Emma, I heard you’re an orphan. I insisted that Ethan bring you along on his private jet. After all, someone with your background probably hasn’t experienced this kind of luxury. But since you’re Ethan’s girlfriend, I had to let you feel what it’s like to be part of high society.”
Sophia Greene patted my hand in a condescending manner.
“Don’t feel awkward. You can go wherever you like. This flight is on us. But Emma, you really are lucky. An orphan like you ends up with a pilot for a boyfriend. Guess that’s one way to cross class lines.”
I could hear the mockery in Sophia’s words and instinctively glanced toward the cockpit.
Even though I’d never told Ethan the truth about who I really was,
he had always promised me that he’d never let me suffer.
But now, Ethan ignored the plea in my eyes and, instead, helped Sophia Greene with her seatbelt, a smug look on her face.
My fingers trembled slightly.
During the flight, Sophia Greene kept chatting with Ethan, making conversation as if I wasn’t even there.
Looking at the sunlit side profiles of the two of them, like a picture-perfect couple, I suddenly felt like I didn’t belong in this cabin.
I forced a bitter smile, feeling a sharp, cold pain in my abdomen, my brow furrowing with discomfort.
“Ethan, there’s a landing pad ahead. I’m feeling unwell. Could you drop me off there?”
Just as Ethan turned toward me,
Sophia Greene began to sweetly tug at his arm.
“Ethan, this is the first time I’ve flown on your plane since I came back. I don’t want to stop. Didn’t you promise me when we were kids that you’d take me to the beach?”
“The beach is still a few dozen kilometers away, and my friends are waiting there for me,” Ethan replied, glancing at the time.
“Emma, just hold on a little longer. Sophia’s just back in the country, and I can’t have her be late in front of her friends.”
“Once we land, I’ll take you to the hospital myself.”
But just as we neared the coast, the plane went out of control.
The instruments failed, and Sophia Greene cried out, throwing herself into Ethan’s arms, begging him to fix it.
There was only one parachute for two.
After a long hesitation, Ethan, citing my status as an orphan, decided to jump with Sophia Greene in his arms.
How utterly ridiculous…
Outside the room, I could hear voices.
“Ethan, I heard the daughter of the Wood family was injured and is being treated on this floor. Maybe we could meet her while we’re here.”
Ethan Blackwood responded indifferently.
“Sophia, stop overthinking. We’re lucky to have survived this accident. I’m not sure about Emma, though. If something happened to her, I’d discuss it with my parents and have her buried as my late wife in the Blackwood family tomb.”
My heart tightened at his self-righteous words, disgust churning in my stomach.
“Ethan, you really are such a kind soul.”
Sophia Greene’s flirtatious glance peeked through the window, her eyes widening in shock as she saw my face.
“Emma Wood, what are you doing here?”
“Shouldn’t you be dead by now?”

2

Before I could respond, the door to the hospital room was slammed open.
Ethan Blackwood’s face was full of disbelief as he pulled me into his arms, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Emma, thank God you’re okay. You’re really okay…”
I could smell the overpowering sweet scent of his cologne.
I was about to tell him to let me go when suddenly, Sophia Greene clutched her head and wobbled unsteadily.
“Ethan, don’t blame yourself. It must’ve been your call that saved Emma’s life. Let’s… Ethan, my head hurts so much.”
Ethan immediately let go of me and stood up in a panic. “What’s going on? Didn’t the doctor say she’d be fine?”
He hurriedly lifted Sophia Greene into his arms. “Come on, let’s go see the doctor.”
Watching Ethan rush away, his back turned, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
Four years of being by his side, and at this moment, who would believe that I was the one who was supposed to be his girlfriend?
My eyes stung, and I fought back the tears.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, Ethan came back, holding Sophia Greene in his arms.
He hesitated for a moment, biting his lip. “Emma, Sophia said her room’s in the sun, and it’s too humid, so she has a headache. How about you switch rooms with her for now? Once she feels better, you can swap back.”
What the hell?
I could see the smug satisfaction in Sophia’s eyes, and that was enough to push me over the edge. My eyes filled with tears.
“Ethan Blackwood, I just had surgery. I just came back from the brink of death. Why should I give up my room for her?”
Who exactly is your girlfriend?
“Emma, please let me explain.” Ethan looked at me.
“This is a private hospital, and the bills are really expensive. When they brought you here, they probably didn’t take your financial situation into account. Sophia said she’ll cover all the costs if you just swap rooms with her.”
“Emma, don’t be so stubborn. You don’t have parents, so why should you have to pay for a room like this? I’m doing this for your own good.”
I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
Ethan Blackwood, in the end, isn’t it just because I’m an orphan? Haven’t I always been less important than Sophia Greene in your eyes?
“Fine. Do whatever you want.”
I said dryly, my voice hoarse.
Once my parents get back to the hospital, I’ll leave.
That night, after switching rooms with Sophia Greene, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
When the hospital director found out, he came personally to apologize, even offering to lock down the entire ward.
I didn’t want to make a scene, so I refused.
The hospital was eerily quiet in the dead of night.
“Ethan, this herbal medicine tastes so bitter. Can you help me drink it?”
“I feel so cold, Ethan. Come hold me while I sleep. What’s there to be afraid of? We used to share a bed when we were kids.”
Sophia Greene’s voice was deliberately louder, and it made me feel sick to my stomach.
But their room was just next door, and all I could do was shut my eyes, feeling overwhelmed.
Gradually, their conversation faded, replaced by the unmistakable sound of heavy breathing.
A surge of panic rose in my chest.
Ignoring the pain in my legs, I wheeled myself over to the window. Through the glass, I saw Sophia Greene straddling Ethan Blackwood’s lap.
Their clothes were disheveled, and they were kissing passionately.
In that instant, my heart shattered.
All the memories of the past four years with Ethan flooded back.
Finally, I closed my eyes, turned my back, and returned to my room without a word.

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