She Died Once

Chapter 16 - The Rebirth of Blood and Notes

“I'm sorry, Mr. Fox,” Sang Suyeon murmured softly before slowly pressing the knife against her neck. In that moment, blood spurted out, splattering across the room like a cruel red curtain, staining the air with its harsh reality.

Jiang Zhimu’s heart stopped in shock. Without thinking, he lunged forward, attempting to seize the knife from her hand. His movements were as fast as lightning, but tragically, he was still a step too late. By the time he grabbed the knife from her trembling grasp, Sang Suyeon’s face was unrecognizable. Blood poured freely from the deep gash, staining her skin, and her once-beautiful features were now marred beyond repair. Her eyes were filled with both pain and an eerie sense of relief as her body crumpled, collapsing to the floor in a helpless heap.

“Evening, what are you doing? This foolishness—Mr. Fox’s greatest fear is losing you. Don’t you know that?” Jiang Zhimu's voice quivered with desperation as he cradled her fragile form in his arms. His hands shook uncontrollably, his entire being still in shock. His eyes, wide with disbelief, reflected a deep sense of loss, as though the world itself had collapsed around him.

“Mr. Fox… Don’t worry,” Sang Suyeon whispered, her voice barely audible, a soft breath escaping her lips. “I’m just disfigured. It's as though I’ve changed my identity... a way to appear in this world once more.” Her words were weak, as though they could disappear in the wind at any moment. And then, her eyes fluttered shut, her body growing still.

With urgency, Jiang Zhimu immediately arranged for the world’s best plastic surgeon. In the sterile, elegant consultation room, he anxiously discussed the situation with the doctor. “She needs to rest and avoid further emotional strain. Her face—its original beauty—it’s beyond recovery. But we’ve found the best in the field, so I trust we can help her,” the physician stated firmly, his professionalism shining through.

“Thank you. I trust you completely. Please, do what you can to ease her pain,” Jiang Zhimu replied, his grip tight around the doctor’s hand, as if holding onto Sang Suyeon’s future with everything he had left.

The physician nodded and reassured him, “We’ll begin the procedure in a few days. Let’s discuss it with her then.” With a final glance, the doctor departed.

Alone, Jiang Zhimu entered Sang Suyeon’s hospital room. The sterile scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mingling with the sunlight that streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow over the room. He approached her bedside, gazing down at her as she slept peacefully, despite the scars now marking her face. Yet, even through the damage, the outline of her former beauty still lingered.

Her eyelashes fluttered softly, like delicate wings, and he gently adjusted the blankets around her, moving with a tenderness that suggested he was cradling the most fragile treasure in the world. Once satisfied, he quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

As soon as the sound of his footsteps faded, Sang Suyeon’s eyes snapped open. A look of self-reproach filled them, mingling with the steely determination that burned within her. She had always kept her feelings hidden from Mr. Fox. If she had told him, he would never have agreed to let her hurt herself. He saw her as precious, too precious to endure even a moment of pain. Yet, this rebirth would be her chance to fight back, to no longer be the weak, defenseless version of herself.

On the day of the surgery, as she lay in a deep sleep, Sang Suyeon dreamt of a world far removed from her troubled past. In this dream, only she and Mr. Fox remained, suspended in a timeless space where no pain could reach them.

The early morning light filtered gently through the windows, casting a soft glow over the city streets and alleys. Sang Suyeon, in the dream, walked briskly through the streets with a lighthearted spirit, her bright, pink Hello Kitty bag swaying at her side, her long hair falling in smooth waves over her shoulders. The wind caught a few stray strands, giving her an air of carefree youthfulness. Her heart fluttered with the excitement of a new day, a new opportunity.

She had arrived early that morning to visit the music room, a place that held more than just musical instruments for her—it was where her soul came alive. It was her guiding star in the vast ocean of music, a sacred space filled with the magic of melody and rhythm.

As she entered the elevator, the soft lighting illuminated her face, her expression one of eager anticipation. She pressed the button for the ninth floor, her heart skipping a beat as the elevator ascended slowly. When the doors opened, she stepped out onto the polished marble floors, the soft click of her heels echoing in the otherwise silent hallway.

The music room was just ahead, and as she walked past, she was drawn to the ethereal sound of a piano. The notes, delicate and rich, seemed to drift toward her like a whisper from another world, filling the space around her with a melody so pure it felt as if it could transcend time itself.

She stopped in her tracks, captivated by the sound. Through the half-open door of the music room, she saw Jiang Zhimu seated at the piano, his posture graceful and commanding, as though he had stepped out of a fairytale. He wore a perfectly tailored dark gray suit that shimmered subtly under the light, exuding an air of refinement and nobility. His moon-white shirt and ink-blue bowtie added to his majestic presence, the jewels on the bowtie gleaming with a quiet, luxurious brilliance.

His fingers danced effortlessly across the piano keys, each movement precise and fluid, as if he and the piano were one. The music soared and fell like a river, its sound lingering in the air long after the final note had faded.

Unable to contain herself, Sang Suyeon clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement and admiration. “Wow! That was simply superb! Where did this celestial sound come from? It’s like being in a fairyland, surrounded by the magic of the music.”

Jiang Zhimu turned his head slightly, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. That smile was like a soft breeze in spring—gentle, warm, and utterly captivating. It was a smile that seemed to promise everything.