Unforgivable：The Scarred Girl's Billion-Dollar Secret

The school dress code stated that bangs weren't allowed to fall past the eyebrows, but I insisted on hiding half my face.

The vice principal in charge of discipline had called me into his office three times about it, but I still did whatever I wanted.

Holden, the neighbor I grew up with, took it upon himself to corner me in the hallway. In front of half the grade, he took a pair of scissors and shredded my bangs.

The moment that hideous scar on my face was exposed, everyone gasped and looked at me with disgust.

Only Holden smiled.

He knew perfectly well that I got that scar saving him, yet he still raised an eyebrow and winked triumphantly at the future Homecoming Queen.

"I told you she had a scar and was a monster, but you didn't believe me."

"Now you don't have to worry about her stealing your Homecoming Queen crown, do you?"

The hallway erupted in laughter, and tears instantly welled up in my eyes.

For the next three whole years, I lived under the shadow of being called a "monster."

Until graduation day, when Bianca held back a laugh and shoved Holden's notebook in front of me.

The title read: *Top Ten Ugliest Girls in School*.

Under my name was a dense list of dozens of people who had voted for me.

Meeting my shocked gaze, Holden spoke casually.

"I lost a bet to Bianca, so I helped her post this joke poll in the group chat."

"I cast the last vote for you."

"After all, that scar on your face really ruins your looks. I couldn't vote for anyone else with a clear conscience."

Tears slid down the twisted, jagged scar on my face.

I accepted that notebook amidst their mocking laughter.

After I got home, I called my mom. "Mom, can you book me an early-morning flight to Melbourne the day after tomorrow? I want to live with you."

***

The notebook was still dripping with my wet tears.

The tears had blurred the ink, and my name was already illegible.

But that didn't make me feel any better.

Over the phone, my mom's voice carried something indescribable.

"I told you a long time ago, men are no good."

"You got that scar saving him, and now it's become his excuse to despise you and abandon you."

"When you get to Melbourne, I'll take you to the best plastic surgery clinic and have the doctor customize a scar removal plan for you. I will be there on time. See you at the airport."

Right now, next door at Holden's house, voices buzzed and barbecue smoke filled the air.

A dozen or so classmates were having a barbecue in his backyard.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd mentioned my name. "Where's Lucia? Is she still mad about that poll?"

"She probably went to work, right? Isn't she trying to save up money to travel with Holden?"

"Oh come on, everyone was just playing around with that poll. Who knew she'd take it so seriously?"

"To be honest, it's not unfair that she ranked first. Look around, who else has a scar that long on their face? It's scary to look at. Right, Holden?"

All eyes fell on Holden.

I stood by the window, desperately holding my breath, waiting to hear how Holden would answer.

Holden chuckled softly. "True."

The crowd laughed so hard they doubled over.

I felt the blood in my veins turn ice-cold. My fingers gripping the window frame turned completely pale.

When I was eleven, I rushed forward to shield him from the knives of those street thugs.

The sharp blade sliced through my flesh, and blindingly red blood streamed down my face.

In the hospital, Holden held me tightly, tears rolling down his cheeks.

He said he would never use this scar to mock me for the rest of his life.

But now, he had changed.

Bianca suddenly acted out of character. She held up her phone, her tone full of fake guilt.

"Let me call Lucia."

"This is all my fault. I thought it was just a joke poll, I didn't expect her to react so strongly..."

A sudden ringtone exploded in the silent night.

Everyone's eyes shot toward the source of the sound.

Panic seized me, and I fumbled to hang up the call.

Soon, another message popped up on my phone.

It was from Holden.

"Come down. Don't embarrass Bianca."

The message was short, devoid of any emotion.

I didn't want to go down.

The bright moonlight illuminated the window clearly, casting its glow on my pale face.

My face was covered in tears, and my hair was a mess. Even I startled myself when I saw it.

I had heard enough of their mockery over the years.

Now, I didn't want to hear it anymore.

I threw my phone onto the nightstand.

I buried myself under the covers, shutting out all the laughter and chatter outside.

But soon, someone punched in the code and opened my front door.

The heavy blanket over my head was mercilessly ripped away.

Seeing my tear-stained face, Holden froze for a second before the disgust slowly resurfaced in his eyes.

"What's there to cry about? It was just a joke poll. Do you really have to embarrass Bianca on the spot?"

"You're clearly home, so why did you lie and say you weren't? Come down and eat barbecue with me."

But a long time ago, Holden used to hold me gently when I cried out of insecurity over my scar, and he would say, "I'll never force Lucia to do anything she doesn't want to do."

His embrace used to be the only place I could lean on.

But I didn't know when it started—Bianca had gradually taken my place.

When he dragged me over to his house, everyone's sharp gazes swept over me.

I had nowhere to hide. I could only hastily wipe away my tears and stand there, completely at a loss.

A male student rudely kicked a plastic lawn chair to my feet. "Sit down. Don't go around saying we're bullying you later."

Someone nearby let out a snort of laughter.

I knew they were all laughing at the same thing.

It was the day before our final exams before graduation. After school, I stayed in the school library to review as usual. When I left and pushed open the stairwell door, a bucket of freezing water mixed with ice cubes poured down over my head.

Instantly, a roar of laughter exploded in my ears.

Bianca, who led the group, was laughing so hard she doubled over.

"Lucia, everyone says you always smell like sweat. Do you not shower?"

"That bucket of ice water was originally meant for the pregnant chemistry teacher, but I didn't expect to use it on you. Well, I guess it's a good opportunity to wash off your stench!"

I had just wanted fairness.

Yet they had twisted it into this.

I looked at Holden with pleading eyes.

But he deliberately avoided my gaze. He looked down, brushed a layer of sauce onto the ribs in his hands, and then placed them all onto the plate in front of Bianca.