Chapter 48
MIA
I sit across from Rigel in a quiet room at Guardian HRS, my mind spinning with the weight of everything that’s happened. The thought of changing my face, losing a part of myself, feels surreal and daunting.
Scary.
“Are you sure about this?” Rigel’s voice is gentle, filled with concern as he reaches out to take my hand. “Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”
“I am.” I look down at our entwined fingers, then back up at him. “I want to feel safe again, to live without constantly looking over my shoulder.”
His eyes soften with understanding.
“I’m nervous though.” I sigh, biting my lip. “It’s just—changing my face feels like losing a part of myself.”
“I know,” Rigel squeezes my hand gently, “but it might be the only way to truly escape Sentinel’s reach. There’s more to it, and I just want to make sure you’re up to it. There are negatives. Risks.” He continues holding my hand, stroking the back of it with his calloused fingers. “The surgery, the recovery, the emotional toll. It’s not a decision to take lightly. ”
“I know,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I can’t live my life in hiding forever.”
We spend what feels like hours discussing the pros and cons. Each argument bounces back and forth in my mind, making the decision even harder, but deep down, I know what I need to do.
“I want to do this,” I finally say, my voice steady. “I want to reclaim my life. Red Phoenix Pharmaceuticals has taken enough.”
“Then, we’ll do it.” Rigel nods, his expression resolute.
I love how he says it.
Not, “Then you’ll do it,” but rather, “We’ll do it.”
It’s only one of a thousand ways he tells me he loves me.
He pulls me into a tight embrace, and I rest my head against his chest, feeling his strength and support. No matter what happens, this man will be by my side.
The next few days are a blur of medical consultations and psychological evaluations.
The doctors explain the procedure in detail, making sure I understand every step. Each consultation brings a strange mix of heart palpitations and a strange sense of hope.
Like a new beginning.
Not only is Rigel with me every step of the way, but his presence is a constant source of comfort. Skye is there to translate the medical jargon and make sure I ask the right questions.
That I truly understand what this operation will do.
I hate that it’s an option. I hate that Sentinel, through the Citadel, used facial reconstruction to steal the identities of those they trafficked through their organization.
I can’t imagine being kidnapped, let alone having my entire identity taken from me. It’s going to be hard enough for me, and I’m making this choice willingly.
Somewhat willingly.
Rigel and I talk late into the night about our future, our hopes, and our dreams. Despite the fear and uncertainty, there’s a growing sense of anticipation. This surgery is a chance for a new beginning, and I’m determined to embrace it.
The day of the surgery arrives sooner than I expect.
Sooner than I’m ready for.
I couldn’t imagine the horror of having this thrust upon me unwillingly.
Anxiety churns in my stomach as we walk into the hospital. Rigel’s hand is a steady anchor, grounding me in the present.
“You’re going to be okay,” he whispers, squeezing my hand. “I’ll be right here when you wake up. We’re in this together. If you want to back out, we can still do that.”
We.
Once again, he uses that pronoun.
We’re doing this.
We’re facing this together.
I’m not alone.
His words soothe some of my fears. I take a deep breath, nodding as I’m led away by the medical team. The weight of what I’m doing presses down on me, but I cling to Rigel’s promise.
I’ve had several mini and major panic attacks about this in the past few days.
But it’s the path I’ve chosen.
It’s the right choice if I want to live a life without the fear of Red Phoenix breathing down my neck.
The only choice.
Grogginess envelops me as I slowly emerge from the haze of anesthesia. The first thing I see is Rigel’s face, his gaze overflowing with love.
“Hey,” he says softly, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead. “How do you feel?”
“Groggy. A bit nauseous.” I try to smile, but the tightness of the bandages makes it difficult. “How do I look?” My voice is weak .
“Beautiful,” he replies without hesitation. “And strong. You’re incredible, Mia.”
“Ah, I bet you say that to all the girls.”
His words bring me back to the second time we met. It was the first day aboard the Serenity , where he treated me to some of the worst pickup lines known to mankind.
Skye enters the room, her expression professional yet compassionate. “The surgery was a success,” she explains. “You’ll need time to heal, but everything went as planned. How do you feel?”
“Groggy and nauseous.”
“Groggy will wear off as the anesthesia leaves your system. I’ll prescribe an antiemetic for the nausea. The last thing we want is for you to throw up and undo all that work the plastic surgeons did.”
Weeks pass.
A month becomes two, and then more.
Each day brings a bit more healing and a bit more anticipation. Finally, the day arrives to remove the bandages. I sit in front of the mirror, my heart pounding in my chest.
Skye stands beside me, her hands steady and reassuring. “Are you ready?” she asks, her voice gentle.
I nod, unable to find my voice. My palms are sweaty, and my pulse races. The room is filled with a tense silence, the weight of this moment pressing down on me.
Skye begins to carefully unwrap the bandages, her movements slow and deliberate. Each layer removed brings me closer to a new reality, a new identity. My mind races with a whirlwind of emotions—fear, hope, sadness, and curiosity.
As the final layer of bandages comes off, I close my eyes, too afraid to look.
“Take your time, Mia.” Skye’s voice is calm, steadying me. “Open your eyes when you’re ready.”
“How does it look?” I take a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs and steady my nerves .
Rigel stands behind me, his hands on my shoulders. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “And I love you more than ever.”
Slowly, I open my eyes and look into the mirror.
The face staring back at me is both familiar and foreign. My new features are softer, my cheekbones more pronounced, and my eyes are slightly larger and shaped differently. My nose has a subtle arch, and my lips are fuller.
My skin?
Still healing, is a shade lighter, and the scars from the surgery are faint but present.
I gasp, a mix of relief and sadness washing over me.
Tears fill my eyes as I reach up to touch my new face. My fingers trace the contours of my cheeks and jawline.
The sensation is strange and surreal. I feel disconnected from the reflection, yet it’s undeniably me.
Skye places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Rigel’s correct. You’re beautiful. This is the beginning of a new chapter for you.”
I nod, swallowing hard as I try to process the overwhelming emotions. The loss of my old identity is like a shadow lingering in the background, but there’s also a sense of liberation, a chance to start anew.
“What do you see?” Skye asks softly, her eyes filled with understanding.
I take another deep breath, forcing myself to really look at the face in the mirror.
“I see—a survivor,” I say slowly. “Someone who has been through hell and come out the other side. Someone who is stronger, more resilient.”
Skye smiles, her eyes shining with pride. “That’s right. You’re a fighter.”
I turn to face her, my tears flowing freely now. “Thank you, Skye. For everything.”
She pulls me into a gentle hug, her embrace warm and reassuring. “You don’t have to thank me. You did this. You chose to fight, to survive. And now, you’re ready to live the rest of your life without the fear of Red Phoenix lingering over you.”
As I pull back and look into the mirror again. My old face is gone, but the essence of who I am remains.
I am Mia, transformed and reborn.
Ready to face the world.
To carve out a new path and to embrace the future with courage and hope.
“You are the most beautiful woman I know.” Rigel’s voice is soft yet filled with intensity as he steps closer. “And I’ve waited far too long to do this.”
My heart races as he leans down, his breath warm against my skin. He cups my face gently, his fingers tracing the new contours with reverence. The tenderness in his touch makes my heart swell with emotion.
Our eyes lock, and the world around us fades away. All I can see is Rigel, his love and admiration shining in his gaze. Slowly, he closes the distance between us, his lips brushing mine in a tentative, almost reverent kiss.
It’s soft at first, a gentle exploration, but then the dam breaks, and all the pent-up emotions flood out. His kiss deepens, becoming more urgent and passionate. I respond with equal fervor, my arms wrapping around his neck as I pull him closer.
His hands slide to my waist, pulling me flush against his body. It’s a kiss that speaks of promises and a future together.
When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathless. His forehead rests against mine, and emotion glistens in his eyes.
“I love you.”
Tears of happiness blur my vision as I smile up at him. “I love you too. More than words can ever say.”
He kisses me again, and this time, it’s a kiss of certainty, of a future filled with hope and love. In his arms, I find my home, my safe haven.
Together, we’re unstoppable.
Together, we’ll build a life filled with love, adventure, and endless possibilities .
Together, we’ve found love.
This new face is just the beginning of a new journey, a symbol of my resilience and my unwavering spirit.
Tears fill my eyes as I turn to face him. “Thank you,” I whisper. “For everything.”
He pulls me into a gentle hug, his touch reassuring. “We’re in this together, Mia. The best team in the world. Always.”