He was definitely feeling a bit feverish, worried he might have a reaction. In a husky voice, he said, "Yeah, it's just not working." "I don't believe you, let me see."

Eliza pulled his hands apart, determined to unbuckle his belt, while his large hands resisted hers. Her gaze accidentally drifted to the back of his hand, where a shocking burn scar caught her eye, stirring a wave of sympathy in her heart. Eliza stopped her actions and gently wrapped her arms around his waist. Her face nestled against his chest, her eyelids slightly damp, with a hint of redness, "You... how could you..."

He was slightly taken aback. His large hands hovered awkwardly, unsure whether to hug her back or not. She held onto him for what seemed like forever.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

Finally, she lifted her face to meet his eyes, the only visible part of his face. "How did your hand end up like this?"

"I'm not really sure."

He had been nearly unconscious when it happened. Just like his face, one hand was untouched, while the other was completely scarred.

She let out a deep sigh, hugging him tighter. "Casper, these scars don't matter. What matters is that you can't let them drag you into despair, make you lose confidence, or keep you from loving."

"Elle..." He tried to get her to rethink, "Our relationship... really, you deserve someone better. With everything you have to offer..."

"Just because we're exes now, does that mean the love is gone, Casper?" Her frustration was growing. Did he expect her to raise his two kids and never remarry? What was he thinking? "Elle..." He loved her, but the weight of that love made it hard to face himself.

"Do you really not love me anymore?" Disappointment filled her eyes, turning them red in an instant. "Casper, did you divorce me because you don't love me anymore?"

He couldn't stand seeing her on the verge of tears and shook his head hurriedly, "No, no, it wasn't that. The divorce was for you to find a better future, not because I stopped loving you."

"I don't buy it." She wanted him to

break free from his self-imposed chains. "If you love me, why do you hide in darkness, Casper? By

trapping yourself, you're trappiel ne

me

too. I'm suffocating here, I'm upset,

I'm not okay."

Casper was left speechless.

A month had passed. He'd tried countless times to redeem himself, but when he was with her, fear still lingered. He didn't even know what he was afraid of. Maybe it was because he'd seen his own hideous, disfigured reflection, and that terrified him.

"Casper, let me see your face."

"You'll be scared." He was terrified, terrified of scaring her.

"Is it my fearful look you can't handle? Or is it the disdain you dread?"

He shook his head, afraid of both. That's why he only removed the mask when he was alone. He had grown used to hiding behind this façade.

"You really don't have to see it." He sighed almost silently.

"I want to see it." Her slender fingers gently touched his earlobe, her voice soft, "Can you show me?"

Her touch was electric. His gaze softened, full of tenderness. Eliza knew he was wavering. "I'll just take a quick look, just one."

As if he'd made a big decision, he nodded heavily, "Alright, have a look."

With his consent, Eliza's fingers hesitated. It wasn't fear that held her back, but the concern that her heartache might show on her face, sending him into a spiral of doubt.

She took a moment to steady

herself before gently, slowly removing the mask from his ear. Casper's face was half untouched the other half marked with clear burn scars. From what she could see, his face hadn't been treated, the scars stark and telling a painful story. God only knows what he'd

been through to end up this way.