After leaving Ridgehill Club, Dr. Arno Solace took a cab to her best friend's apartment. Her heart was pounding. She needed to confront her.
Just yesterday, after her hospital shift, Angika had invited her out, saying she'd reserved a table at Ridgehill. When Arno arrived, Angika was already there—smiling, relaxed. Some of her friends were there too. When Angika offered her a drink, Arno didn't hesitate. They laughed. Chatted while dancing with songs. Everything felt normal—until the world began to spin, and her vision blurred.
She called Angika's name. But before she could fully process what was happening, she found herself in a strange room…with unfamiliar men.
Flashback:
"Hey, this woman looks awesome. Skin smooth like silk. I wonder how she tastes," a man's voice echoed in the haze.
Arno tried to see them, but her vision was smeared like fogged glass. "Who are you?" she slurred. "What are you trying to do? I swear…if you dare lay a finger on me—I'll hunt you down."
Laughter. 3 or 4 of them. Cruel, entertained laughter.
"I love fierce chicks. They give the best experience," another voice chimed in, soaked in perversion.
Panic spread through her like poison. Her body was sluggish, her limbs uncooperative. She knew then—she'd been drugged. The drink. It had been tampered with.
She tried to rise on trembling legs.
Thump.
A man shoved her back onto the sofa. Another gripped her wrists.
"Let me go," she pleaded.
"You can leave, beauty," one of them sneered, "but why not satisfy us first with that sexy body of yours?"
Her heart pounded, calculating. Every second mattered.
"I'll give you money," she whispered.
"Pfft! We've got plenty." Lips smacked.
"Who goes first?"
"She's got fight in her. Hold her down."
Desperation gripped her. Then—she felt it. One man's grip loosened slightly. Her eyes darted to a wine bottle on the table.
With all her strength, she smashed it against his head. He screamed. She drove her knee hard into another man's groin. Chaos.
And then—she ran. Bolted from the room, adrenaline overriding her dazed mind. She burst through a random door down the hallway—and everything after that blurred into black.
When she awoke in the morning, she found herself in a stranger man bed. Sigh! Yesterday's nightmare still clawed at her. But now, as the cab pulled up to the high-rise apartment, a sweet, almost bitter smile curved her lips.
"We've arrived, miss," the driver said.
Arno nodded, paid him, and stepped out after a moment, she just stood there, staring up at the building.
A luxurious apartment 5C. Where her best friend Angika Ruxin lived.
She had the key. They always shared everything. No need to knock.
The door opened without a sound. The living room was messy—heels scattered, a bra tossed on the back of the couch, shirts draped over the armrest. One shirt made her pause.
Too familiar.
Auren Lysell?
She let out a soft, hollow laugh. Auren was her crush. Her secret, sacred secret. She'd even told Angika about it. It was Angika who had encouraged her to confess, who held her hand as she nervously said to Auren that she liked him, and that she'd wait—whenever he was ready, he could give his answer.
But she was always scared he wouldn't feel the same.
Arno's steps were slow as she neared the bedroom door. It wasn't locked. And before she pushed the door a voice came from inside. No...two voice.
"Mmm… did you like my present?" Angika's voice purred from inside.
"Yes. Your present just left me in awe. But one night isn't enough," a voice answered—smooth, unmistakable.
Auren.
A tremor passed through Arno. Her throat tightened.
"Are you angry because Arno slept with strangers in that club?" Angika asked, her voice full of false innocence. "Is that why you're using me?"
"Don't say that vixen's name," Auren snapped. "She confessed to me. Promised to wait. Then she goes and screws a bunch of random men? I could never accept a woman like that. Her background doesn't match mine. My parents would never approve. And she's too independent. Too much." Besides you told me yesterday, you are the person who saved me. So naturally I'll like you. I've been searching for you for a long time. Why didn't you say me earlier?
Arno stood frozen. Her heart cracked, piece by piece.
"You're my match, Angika. You are the Ruxin heiress. You're the only one worthy to be my wife."
Angika giggled. "Really? But… Arno's been crushing on you for over eight years. If she finds out, won't she be heartbroken? Would you still choose me?"
"I told you. She means nothing to me. You—" he pulled her close, "—you're the girl who saved me when I was drowning. I made a promise back then. Only that person would be worthy of my love." You're that person.
Arno's breath caught.
No. No.
She was the one who saved him.
She'd never told anyone. Only Angika. She saved Auren from drowning twelve years ago. She didn't want to guilt him or use it to win his heart. She believed if he loved her, it would be real—not indebted.
She had kept herself whole. For him.
For this.
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
Then she opened the door.
"Of all men… Auren?" Her voice cracked. "Why him, Angika? You knew I liked him. You knew." And yesterday it was you who drugged me. Say, is it because to get Auren's attention?
Angika flinched. Auren jumped in front of her.
"Are you uncivilized?" he barked. "Were you eavesdropping?"
"I didn't drug you," Angika sniffled, eyes wide with fake innocence. "You drank it yourself. Don't throw dirt at me now."
"You dare accuse Angika?" Auren snapped. "She's not like you. She loves me. She's the one I've been searching for all this time."
Arno stood still. Silent. A ghost in her own life.
Angika had betrayed her. The person she trusted most. The one she thought was family.
And Auren—he never knew her. Never cared to.
He only saw the worst in her. While she had held on to love for eight long years.
It was me..."I saved you," she whispered. "I was the one. Not her."
Auren's face didn't change. Enough with your lie. He gave her a dirty look.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. Her eyes burned, but she didn't let them see her cry again.
You betrayed me...for who? She asked Angika. For a man who doesn't even love the real you.
Shut up, Angika screamed. I...I like Auren, she said.
Don't scare her, Auren shouted in anger. Get out.
Ok. From today on, our path seperates here. Angika and Auren, "I wish you both a long, happy life," Arno said softly, then turned and walked away.
She felt no screams or desire for revenge.
Just silence.
Because if she looked back now, her heart might never be whole again.
---
In Dr. Solace's Memory, Twelve Years Ago:
"Help! Help..."
She heard the sound of splashing water nearby as she wandered aimlessly, trying to calm her anger. Just earlier, she'd been punished for something she hadn't done—again—by her adoptive parents. It was her so-called sister, the legitimate daughter of the Solace mansion, who had framed her. It had always been like that.
Arno didn't know where she came from or whether her real parents were still alive. She had been adopted from an orphanage at the age of ten, and life had never been the same since.
Despite her foul mood, she followed the sound—then froze. A boy was drowning in the lake.
There were no adults in sight.
Since she was a strong swimmer, she didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, she dove into the water to save him.
By the time she dragged him to the shore, he was already halfway to the grim reaper's carriage.
Thankfully, Arno had learned basic first aid at school. She had dreamed of becoming a doctor from an early age and had spent hours reading medical books.
She laid him on his back, checked his pulse, and immediately began CPR. Her small hands moved with determination—100 to 120 compressions per minute. Only when his pulse stabilized and his breathing returned to normal did she stop.
An hour and a half later, the boy finally sat up beside her.
"Thank you. Was it you who saved me?" the boy asked.
Young Arno looked around, then replied, "Is there someone else here who could've saved you? Anyway, why did you go near the water alone when you can't even swim, you moron?"
"Please don't scold me," he said in a small voice. "It's not that I went alone. I was with my uncle. We were kayaking, and then... a hand pushed me into the water. I called for my uncle, but he wasn't there. Maybe he also fell in. Did you see him?" he asked, eyes brimming with tears.
Arno looked at him with quiet sympathy. Even at that young age, she had seen the twisted hearts of people. His uncle had likely tried to kill him. But she didn't say that out loud.
"I don't think there was anyone else there when I came to rescue you," Arno said in a detached tone.
"By the way, what's your name?" the boy asked.
Instead of replying, Arno asked, "What's yours?"
"Auren Lysell," he said. "Tell me your name, so when I grow up, I can marry you."
Before Arno could respond, voices echoed through the forest.
"Young master? Young Master Auren! Where are you?"
"Looks like they're looking for you," Arno said with a small smile. "Well then, I'm going. Stay here and answer their call."
Oh...and you should be aware around your uncle. With that, she turned and ran off.
She never forgot the name: Auren Lysell.
And four years later, in the most unexpected way, she ran into him again—at the same college.
---