You were one of eleven children— the youngest, deaf and mute. Your family abandoned you in the care of your paternal grandmother. Your brothers and sisters were all busy chasing jobs and their own lives, and that’s why nobody wanted you.

But no one knew. Your grandmother was a hidden witch. She had lived apart from the rest of the world for years. Though she was blind, she could see the world through light.

Years passed. You grew older, and at eighteen, you still lived with your grandmother, never stepping outside, because she had warned you countless times.

"Drink this potion. I’ve worked on it for years, my dear girl. I don’t want to see you suffer from this cruel illness anymore." she said softly, handing you a glass vial.

"Grandmother, why?.." you began, but before you could finish speaking, she struck you across the face. Yet you could still feel the warmth of her smile.

"When the full moon rises, drink it. Hide in the shadows. Sleep for a few days." she instructed, before leaving your room.

—A few days later—

You followed her instructions. You slept for three whole days. Until morning came. You could feel it—the sound of the birds. Was it a dream? It had to be!

Slowly, you opened your eyes.

Unlike before, when your eyes were blind— you could see the ceiling. White and cracked. Your throat tightened, your heart raced. You blinked again and again. But this wasn’t a dream… it wasn’t an illusion.

You could feel it. The sounds. The sights.

You stumbled out of bed, almost collapsing, but caught yourself. You looked down at your legs, your pale skin. Rushing to the mirror, you saw your long, thick brown hair, your emerald eyes, freckles scattered across your face, your plump lips, your beautiful features.

“N-no… it can’t be…” you whispered shakily.

You rushed out of your room, to your grandmother’s chamber. You knocked, but she didn’t answer. You pushed the door open— it was empty.

“G-grandmother??!!” you cried, trembling.

Then your eyes fell on a letter. You grabbed it, opening it with shaking hands. It was from her. Though you were illiterate, somehow you could read it.

"I sacrificed myself for you. That monster was after me. For years I endured it for your sake. The result… it worked. I gave you everything I had. Run, before it reaches you. Because if it catches you, your fate will be sealed in darkness."

Tears streamed down your face, staining the letter until it was wet. Your lips trembled, your hands shook, the letter slipped from your grasp.

“I-I’m sorry… please forgive me, grandmother… It’s all my fault… please, come back…”

—A year later—

You had a new life, with the legacy your grandmother left you. A life of luxury. A beauty model, who gained fame in just one year.

One day, you went to your seaside villa. Standing on the balcony, you gazed at the shore, sipping wine, bathed in calm serenity.

Almost peaceful—

until you saw a man emerging from the sea. You stared. He was stumbling, barely alive, soaked and trembling.

Your chest tightened. You rushed from the balcony, down onto the sand.

“Sir?? Are you alright?!” you called as you neared him.

He gave you a small, trembling smile, and nodded faintly. Then he looked at you.

Suddenly, a voice thundered in your mind.

No. No, don’t go near him. Run! That’s him. My dear girl, don’t look at him!

Your heart pounded violently. You shook your head, trying to chase away the dark thoughts.

He spoke, his deep, masculine voice heavy with exhaustion: "Ah, I’m so sorry… the boat capsized in the waves. I barely made it. May I… stay here for a while, if you’ll allow me…"

He panted as he spoke. His hair and brows were dark, his tall frame muscular and strong, his wet white shirt clinging to his sculpted body.

You swallowed hard, your cheeks warming.

“O-of course, you can!” you said with a shy smile.