Chapter 445

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The needle tip quivered at her fingertip , casting a faint glimmer on the floor .
Aria looked up at Rachel , her pupils contracting slightly . ‘ She’s actually Pearl ! ‘
Orlando couldn’t spare a thought for anything else then . He was terrified Rachel might meet the same fate as Sara .
‘ Pearl ? ‘ Rachel wondered . ‘ That’s my real name ? ‘
Rachel curled her fingers tightly , as if a sharp pain stabbed at her constricted heart . Tears soaked through her surgical mask . I do have a name ,’ she thought , the realization cutting deep .
Orlando watched , his heart aching with guilt and self – reproach .
After Sara’s death , they sought revenge against Aria by concealing Rachel’s identity .
As Rachel stood in despair on the platform , wasn’t this a scathing indictment of their actions ?
They couldn’t avenge the dead , nor could they protect the living .
Orlando pressed his lips together , his gaze – full of complicated emotions – sweeping over Aria before settling on Rachel . He asked , “ Do you know why I told you to wear a mask when you go out ? ”
Rachel froze for a moment .
Her face was permanently scarred by burns . The doctors said it could never be fixed , and that was how she’d look for life .
She always wore a mask in public without being told .
But after she came to Mayen Garden , Orlando deliberately brought it up . Rachel thought they just took her as embarrassment .
Orlando said , “ Someone created an age – progressed forensic sketch based on how you looked as a child . That’s how we found your parents .
“ They’ve been looking for you . ”
Rachel blinked in disbelief . “ Really ? ”
‘ Am I really this lucky ? Why would anyone look for me ? ‘ she wondered .
Rachel retorted sharply , “ Then why did you keep this from me , Orlando ? You’re lying . You’re just afraid I might die in Huthailia ! ”
She thought bitterly , ‘ All their kindness was just lip service . They knew how ruthless Olivia was , yet they stood by and let her torment me . ‘
Without hesitation , Rachel spun around , arms spread wide .
Orlando and Valerie shouted in alarm , “ Rachel , no ! ”
Liam and Diego , who had just arrived , froze in horror at the sight .
At that moment , a silver needle shot from Aria’s fingertips .
Liam saw it , and his eyes widened in shock .
Suddenly , he remembered a wooden board in the Cole Manor training room , riddled with countless needle holes .
‘ So that was the board Aria used for her needle practice ? ‘ he thought . ‘ Why would she even practice something like that ? ‘
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‘ It’s finally over , Rachel thought , closing her eyes .
Just as she leaned forward , someone suddenly grabbed her wrist .
The forceful pull sent her stumbling forward , and she crashed into a pair of warm , waiting arms .
As Lily was falling , a steadying hand caught her . A brief pricking sensation shot through her shoulder , fading instantly .
That fleeting pain snapped her back to awareness – just in time for her to grab Rachel .
Lily hugged Rachel tightly , her heart pounding with relief from their near – death experience . She gave Rachel a light smack and , her voice trembling with tears , said , “ Thought you wanted to take me down with you ? Changed your mind , huh ? ”
“ I’m so sorry … ” Rachel’s voice was thick with remorse .
Orlando’s gaze swept over Aria , his expression unreadable .
Too far – even if he’d sprinted at full speed , he couldn’t have made it in time .
He caught the glint of her needle , then saw Lily jolt awake and saved Rachel .
Irony twisted in his gut : the person he hated most had just saved Rachel .
Orlando forced down the turmoil in his heart and looked at Rachel . “ Rachel , what did Olivia do to you ? Please , tell me . Whatever it is , we’ll find a way out
-together .”
Aria sneered , “ You hate me so much that you wouldn’t even let Rachel show her face – afraid I’d recognize her ? What’s your real motive for hiding her ? Trying to use her to threaten me ? ”
Hearing this , Rachel lifted her head from Lily’s embrace . “ What … do you mean ? ”
‘ Use me to threaten Aria ? What does that have to do with Aria ? ‘ she thought , gripping her clothes tightly , not daring to think any further .
AD