SCARS OF LOVE 1

The night breeze was gentle yet chilly everywhere is shrouded in darkness leaving the faint glow coming from the night sky. Olivia seated on a couch, her gaze focused on the stars scattered abroad in the sky. It was as if she was trying to communicate with the stars but yet couldn't find her voice. Her name is Olivia Hart, a nationwide actress. The camera loves her. The mic echoes her voice but deep down she is just another Injured, unfavored lost soul. Her mother died when she was 10, her father brought in his second family he has outside. No one looked after her since then, her father was too focused on his second family that he forgot he has a child who needs his love even if it is little. She was neglected in the Hart mansion. And her step mother made things difficult by always implicating and framing her for any little thing, she had hoped that her father will believe her but that was not the case her father doesn't even have the slightest faith in her the moment it was said that she do something he will scold her immediately without hearing her side of the story. So she grew up with that mindset, she doesn't explain herself even when she was wronged because to her that is the only way to protect her sanity from being taken away. When she finally married her childhood sweetheart she thought the heaven had finally shone light on her not knowing that she walked into the gate of hell by herself. The marriage was done in a low-key setting with no flashy cameras or settings, just her and the groom with her manager. But something happened a week after the wedding, her husband's elder brother died in her car with her in the passenger seat; she was the only survivor. Her step sister had only said one word and the words slipped into every one heart that day she was named a murderer. No one believed her, not even her own husband. She lived with that guilt until now accepting the hatred, acorn, harsh words and treatment given to her by her husband's family. Even the person she loves the most couldn't save her from the claws of hell but instead she was being pushed deeper inside. With no one to turn to she hid her feelings so well and never stopped anticipating that way she could deal with her small pains. But she was proven wrong even when she chose not to care that their actions are too painful to overlook. She was still lost in thought when her manager approached her. “You should go to bed, you have an audition tomorrow” Olivia nod her head she looked at selin then back at the sky “Will you go to the temple tomorrow for Warner's death anniversary?” “What do you think?, if I don't go I will be targeted, accused of being guilty of murdering him.if I go I will be scornful. What will you have me do” Selin dropped the tablet in her hand and she sat beside Olivia, she rested Olivia head on her shoulder and patted her back softly. “I understand how you feel, don't think about them, think about how Warner would've felt if he saw you at his death anniversary. It may look difficult but I believe that you can do it. You are strong”. The Carter ancestral temple stood high on the quiet hill, surrounded by tall dark trees that blocked out almost every trace of sunlight. The atmosphere felt heavy and lifeless, as though grief itself had settled permanently within the ancient walls. Long black banners hung from the stone pillars, swaying slowly beneath the cold evening wind, while white funeral chrysanthemums lined the entrance like silent mourners. Today marked the death anniversary of Theodore’s elder brother. Every member of the Carter family had gathered dressed in black, their expressions solemn and cold. The air smelled faintly of incense and burnt candles, mixing with the distant sound of prayer bells echoing softly through the temple grounds. Yet despite the number of people present, the place felt painfully silent. Especially to Olivia. The moment her car stopped at the entrance, a strange chill crept through her body. She sat quietly for a second, staring at the temple ahead of her while her fingers tightened around her purse. No matter how many times she came here, she always felt like an outsider. Unwanted. Unforgiven. Her assistant glanced at her worriedly. “Miss Olivia… are you sure you want to go in?” Olivia forced a faint smile before opening the car door. The cold wind immediately hit her face the moment her heels touched the stone ground. Conversations around the courtyard slowly died down as people turned to look at her. Their eyes carried the same familiar emotions—disgust, blame, and silent accusation. Olivia lowered her gaze and walked forward quietly. Then suddenly— SLAP! The sound echoed sharply across the temple courtyard. Olivia stumbled slightly as burning pain exploded across her cheek. “YOU STILL HAVE THE NERVE TO COME HERE?!” Madam Carter screamed furiously. Before Olivia could recover, the older woman grabbed her hair harshly, her eyes filled with uncontrollable hatred. “My son died because of you!” she cried. “You shameless murderer!” Another slap landed hard across Olivia’s face. The force nearly knocked her to the ground. Gasps spread through the crowd, but no one stepped forward to help her. No one ever did. Tears instantly burned Olivia’s eyes, but she refused to cry. She simply endured the pain silently as Madam Carter continued pulling her hair violently. “You destroyed this family!” Madam Carter shouted hysterically. “Why are you still alive while my son is dead?!” “Madam Carter, stop!” Olivia’s assistant finally rushed forward, pulling the furious woman away from her with difficulty. “Miss Olivia, let’s go!” Olivia’s breathing trembled painfully as her assistant quickly guided her back toward the car. Her cheeks burned from the slaps, and her scalp still hurt from the forceful pulling, but the pain in her chest hurt far more. Because even now… No one believed her innocence. As the car door closed behind her, Olivia finally lowered her head silently while the temple disappeared behind them. Cold. That place had always been unbearably cold to her. “You can't go to the audition looking like this, I will call the director to reschedule another day for you” Olivia nodded her head in agreement as she gently her head on the car window looking at the outside scenery. The world has no place for her to plead her innocence yet she still cares about the world. Selin looked at Olivia through the rearview mirror, she sighed silently, clearly devastated and speechless. She adjusted herself then pulled the car to a stop. Olivia sit up and look at her clearly confused “What is it” Selin cleared her throat before turning to look at Olivia. “It is an ice-cream store, you said you love the ice-cream from here. Let's get an ice-cream before going home” Olivia leaned against the side of the black SUV, her chest still rising unevenly from the humiliation she had just endured. The cold morning wind curled around her like invisible fingers, carrying the distant sound of traffic and the faint rustling of trees lining the quiet street. Her cheeks still burned from the sting of Theodore’s mother’s slap, and every insult replayed endlessly in her mind like a cruel echo she could not silence. Selin returned from the small roadside café holding two ice creams, their wrappers already damp from the humid air. Without saying a word, she handed one to Olivia — vanilla mixed with caramel, her favorite. For a moment, Olivia simply stared at it. The world around her felt too loud. Too heavy. Then she slowly peeled back the wrapper and took a small bite. The cold sweetness melted against her tongue instantly, soothing the bitterness sitting painfully in her throat. The creamy texture and sugary taste distracted her just enough to pull her away from the chaos in her head. Another bite followed, slower this time, and she closed her eyes briefly as the icy sensation cooled the heat behind her tears. Selin watched quietly from beside her car door, knowing Olivia hated being comforted with pity. “You don’t have to hold everything in,” Selin said softly. Olivia let out a shaky laugh. “I’m trying not to lose my mind.” The streetlights flickered above them, bathing the road in a golden glow while the night air wrapped around the two women gently. Somewhere nearby, music drifted from a passing car, low and distant. The atmosphere no longer felt suffocating like the temple grounds had earlier. Here, away from the black-clothed mourners and hateful eyes, the night felt calmer… almost peaceful. Olivia took another bite of the ice cream, slower now, allowing the cold sweetness to numb the ache in her chest little by little. For the first time that morning, she could finally breathe properly again. Once she was done she gently closed the ice-cream container and rested back her head. “Do you feel better” “Yes” Olivia sighs”for now…. yes” Selin glance subtly at her then decided to change the topic “About the audition it is a female lead role in an historical drama” “The grand princess who wants to marry the imperial crown prince” “Yes, the drama name is Love in the phoenix empire, the audition clip with the remaining actress was released yesterday if the viewers get to see your audition clip with that of Keith the whole country will nearly be in an uproar” “ What do you expect from them? Their nation's queen and king are both in an historical drama.” CARTER HOSPITAL Theodore stepped out of the operating theatre with the same cold composure he had carried throughout the surgery. The bright hospital corridor reflected against the polished floor beneath his shoes while exhausted doctors and nurses moved aside respectfully as he passed. He removed his surgical gloves slowly, tossing them into the bin before loosening the collar of his dark scrubs. His assistant, Marcus, hurried toward him with visible hesitation. “Sir…” Theodore barely looked up. “What is it?” Marcus swallowed nervously. “It’s about Mrs. Carter. Olivia was humiliated at the memorial temple earlier this morning. Your mother slapped her in front of everyone.” Theodore’s expression did not change. “She was insulted publicly,” Marcus continued carefully. “The media might hear about it soon.” Theodore washed his hands beneath the running water, calm and emotionless. “Then keep the media quiet,” he said flatly. Marcus blinked in surprise. “Sir… your wife—” “She knows how my family is.” Theodore dried his hands slowly with a towel. “If Olivia cannot survive a few insults, that is her problem.” The coldness in his voice silenced the room instantly. Marcus lowered his head. “Understood, sir.” Without another word, Theodore walked toward his private office on the top floor of Carter Medics International. The city lights shimmered outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting silver reflections across the dark room. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and loosened the first buttons of his shirt, exhaustion finally settling into his shoulders. A soft knock came at the door. Before he could answer, Lena stepped inside.