Chapter 1 Eternal Flames

On a stormy night, deep within the abandoned prison, Melody found herself bound by chains, her body marked with countless needle wounds and her skin festering with infection. Her eyes, hidden behind a blood-stained cloth, her hair tangled, and her lips drained of color, spoke of the horrors she endured. Despite the pain that wracked her frail form, years of starvation and blood loss rendered her too weak to resist. Was this the end after five long years? "Melody, how does it feel to lose your sight?" "Edward may have praised your eyes as more beautiful than mine, but unfortunately, they now belong to me." The voice was soft yet chillingly cruel. Suzanna approached as her presence was an ethereal contrast to Melody's despair. Clad in a snow-white skirt, she exuded an aura of purity that clashed with the misery before her. The sound of Suzanna's voice sent shivers down Melody's spine. "Suzanna, have you lost your mind? I am your sister, your flesh and blood!" Melody stared at her in utter disbelief. The figure standing before her was none other than her fraternal twin sister, born from the same mother. This undeniable fact had always kept any doubts at bay within Melody's mind. "No! You're not my sister. I don't have a lowly, filthy village sister like you. I threw you to human traffickers when you were just three years old. You should never have come back to compete with me for the affection of our parents and five brothers." "But it's all coming to an end soon." As Suzanna spoke, footsteps approached. With desperate haste, she untied Melody and flung her to the ground, looping the chain around her own neck. The sudden violence left a crimson mark on her fair skin. Melody had been imprisoned for far too long, her strength drained to the point of feebleness, rendering her unable to break free from her chains. As she lay helpless, she could only watch as Suzanna enacted a deceitful charade, pretending to be pinned down by Melody herself, her eyes betraying a mixture of fear and fabricated tears in an instant. "Melody, please don't gouge out my eyes," Suzanna pleaded, her voice trembling with false remorse. "I never meant to harm your cornea. I feel so regretful... I apologize..." "Stay away from me! Dad, Mom... I'm so frightened..." With a sudden jerk, Suzanna dragged Melody's hand perilously close to her own eyes, stopping just inches away from causing harm. Before Melody could react, the prison door was violently flung open. "Melody, are you seeking death?" Mr. and Mrs. Shield, accompanied by their five sons, stormed in, swiftly separating Suzanna from Melody and inspecting the wound on her neck with grave concern. Their stares bore into Melody, a mix of coldness, fury, and profound disappointment evident in their eyes. 'Smack!' Mr. Shield struck Melody with a resounding slap. Agony pierced her being, and it was heart-wrenching. Fresh blood gushed from her eye sockets, saturating the pristine white cloth in a sudden crimson tide. Mr. Shield's voice thundered through the room, his words a relentless assault on Melody's ears. "Melody, I had Cameron donate your cornea to Suzie! You, a former convict, will only humiliate the Shield family, even after your release. Suzie is an artist; her eyes were sacrificed to save Cameron. What have you ever done for your siblings? You are a disgrace, and offering your eyes to Suzie is a privilege!" The weight of his words crushed Melody's spirit, leaving her heartbroken and nauseous. Hadn't she already given everything for her five elder brothers? For four years since her return to the Shield family, Melody had tirelessly dedicated herself to supporting her eldest brother, Timothy, a financial magnate. Immersed in finance, she swiftly acquired certifications within two months and spent countless sleepless nights devising lucrative plans for him until her efforts nearly blinded her. However, despite her efforts, Timothy lavished half of the profits on jewelry and extravagant clothing for Suzanna when their projects succeeded. Melody received nothing in return, not even a word of acknowledgment for her hard work. Despite everything, Melody held no bitterness in her heart. She clung to the belief that Suzanna was still her sister, deserving of the same love and affection from their siblings. Melody served as a willing subject for her second older brother, Cameron, a committed medical researcher, enduring numerous needle pricks on her arms without protest. Despite the hospital's abandonment of Cameron's leg injury from a car accident, Melody took it upon herself to scour through physiotherapy literature and research articles, seeking potential remedies such as portable electrotherapy devices to aid in his recovery. Her third brother, Carson, a prominent singer, benefited from Melody's creative talents as she composed music and choreographed performances for him, all without seeking recognition, yet serving as the unseen force behind Carson's success. Derrick, her fourth brother, a lawyer burdened by the strain of his high-pressure work, found solace in Melody's self-taught physiotherapy techniques, which helped to alleviate the tension in his muscles. Gary, her fifth brother, shared her academic pursuits at Greenfield University, yet his indolence and academic dishonesty ultimately led Melody to bear the blame and expulsion from the institution. For four years, Melody diligently endeavored to assimilate into the Shield family, believing them to be her closest kin, consistently offering her support and assistance. Yet, despite her efforts, she could never truly win their affection! Cameron stood tall, his aristocratic demeanor tinged with a hint of concern as he regarded Melody's disheveled state. An unexpected itch tugged at his heart, swiftly vanishing into the recesses of his mind. "Melody, don't be obstinate," he urged, his tone measured yet firm. "Extend an apology to Suzie, and we might reconsider pursuing disciplinary measures against you." Deep down, Cameron and his siblings harbored a tinge of guilt towards Melody, their long-lost younger sister who had endured her fair share of hardships during her absence. However, Suzie remained their steadfast boundary, their unwavering priority! Yet, Melody found Cameron's plea absurd. After all, it was he who had orchestrated the extraction of her corneas. He was now expecting her to extend an olive branch to Suzanna? Why should she? Was Suzanna truly deserving of such a gesture? In hindsight, Melody couldn't help but chuckle bitterly at her naivety. How foolish she had been to yearn so desperately for familial affection, only to find herself tangled in the Shield family's web of deceit. Melody sneered defiantly. "No! Why should I apologize? Let her go to hell!" Cameron's frown deepened as he watched Melody's stubbornness persist, leading him to express his disappointment, "You're simply stubborn, and there's no hope for you!" Taking advantage of the moment, Suzanna reached out and held Cameron's hand, her arms bearing scars, and gently intervened, "Cameron, please don't be angry with Melody. Your leg hasn't fully healed; it's bad to let anger consume you..." Cameron's gaze softened towards Suzanna at the mention of his leg injury. Thanks to her unwavering support, he found the strength to stand again! While Suzanna showed kindness and understanding, Melody subjected her to bullying and even attempted to harm her. Considering forgiving Melody now seemed utterly unfathomable! Feeling a surge of guilt towards Suzanna, Cameron affectionately tousled her hair, acknowledging her wisdom. "Suzie is the voice of reason." "Dad, should I have Cameron return Melody's corneas since she can't accept me having them?" Suzanna's voice trembled slightly, betraying her innocence and resolve. "Suzie, we won't return them," Mr. Shield declared firmly. "If Melody refuses to cooperate, she must bear the consequences and remain blind." Mr. Shield cast a disdainful glance at the forlorn figure of Melody huddled on the ground, his eyes reflecting a mix of disgust and disdain. Twenty years prior, a fortune teller had forewarned him about the twins' fate. According to the seer, the elder sister spelled trouble, while the younger one was the family's beacon of luck. Melody's disappearance at the tender age of three, followed by Suzanna's solitary return, only solidified his beliefs. A harbinger of misfortune like Melody was destined to be deprived of prosperity and abundance! "It's entirely your grandfather's doing. He stubbornly insisted on her return, even in his will, leaving her with a 20% stake. Does she truly merit such consideration?" Mr. Shield's voice dripped with disdain as he cursed, then turned to Melody, his tone softening to coax, "Melody, this is a share transfer contract. If you sign it, I'll ensure your early release." Melody's lips curled into a sneer, a bitter testament to the five years she'd languished in the depths of prison, bearing the weight of the Shield family's sins. Their promises of redemption now rang hollow, mere manipulation tools in their quest for control. With each disappointment, her trust eroded, leaving a shell of skepticism. And then, fate intervened in a thunderous cacophony that shattered the night's stillness. Thunder roared its disapproval as lightning struck, setting ablaze the prison's confines, fueled by the gasoline Suzanna had cunningly dispersed. "Fire! What's happening?" "Keep Suzie safe!" The Shield family hurriedly shielded the delicate Suzanna and fled outside. In a pivotal moment, akin to past instances, Melody lay inert on the ground, abandoned by all present... The chaotic footsteps surrounding her faded as the heat wave surged. Melody attempted to crawl to safety, only to realize Suzanna had callously left her chained. Deliberately, she left her to face an inevitable demise! As the flames engulfed her, Melody's voice rasped with a curse, "Shield family, Suzanna... I will exact my vengeance with your blood in the next life!" Ultimately, her frail form was consumed by the inferno. Burnt and reduced to ashes! After Melody's demise, her lingering resentment permeated the ruins of the prison. When the fire finally subsided, none from the Shield family ventured to search for her. Instead, she bore witness to her estranged ex-husband, whom she had abandoned callously, descending from his wheelchair and laboriously crawling through the ashes for seven days and nights, determined to gather even a handful of her remains. On the eighth day, he emerged disheveled, resembling a beggar, painstakingly collecting her ashes near the charred chain. The once proud and noble man appeared utterly defeated, trembling as he reached out to touch the blackened remnants. Soft yet hoarse with emotion, Edward's voice resonated through the desolation, "Mel, fear not. I will bring you home." Three months later, the Shield family suffered an unprecedented economic collapse. Suzanna vanished under mysterious circumstances, discovered with her limbs shattered and eyes missing. Subsequently, all five of the Shield family's proud sons met untimely ends, shrouded in mystery, leading to the family's complete disappearance from Maycrest. On a tranquil afternoon, Melody's ethereal presence lingered by Edward's side, witnessing him dismiss all the servants from the manor. Holding the funerary urn of ashes, he sat in the yard, basking in the sun's warmth. Edward's gaze lowered as he tenderly kissed the urn's edge, "My dear Mel, it is now your turn to bring me home..." Then, a towering inferno engulfed the manor, swallowing the estate and Melody's desperate and sorrowful cry. "Edward! No!"