The Tycoon's Secret Wife's Escape

ROXIE 5. What Now?

ROXIE 5: What Now?

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Dominic asked, his voice heavy with concern.

I nodded silently as I lay down on the surgical bed. My mind was made up. Mrs. Russo's offer wasn't just an opportunity, and it was my only path forward.

They gave me time to think, knowing this wasn't something one agrees to lightly. But I knew Mrs. Russo had been pressuring Dominic behind the scenes, eager to proceed with the transformation.

Still, even without her pressure, I would have said yes. How could I not? I had nothing left to lose. Moreover, if anyone saw me at Dominic's clinic without the surgical mask, everything would fall apart.

I'd done my homework on my soon-to-be husband, Damien Knight-a name conspicuously absent from public knowledge despite belonging to one of the country's most prominent families.

The reason became clear once I uncovered the truth: Damien had an intellectual disability, something the Knights kept hidden to avoid people's judgment.

None of the women from affluent families wished to marry him. Not even the real Selene Marchand.

Selene was just twenty-one-a graduating fashion design student. That worked in my favor.

"I don't have an identity, Dom... At least now, I'll have one," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.

But deep down, beneath all that practicality, my real goal was getting back the family business that Gideon had taken from

1. me.

Marrying into the Knight family could change everything. Their influence extended into corners of society I couldn't reach alone. Even the Marchand family commanded considerable respect and power.

"But aren't you scared?" Dominic persisted, his brow furrowed with worry. "You'll be marrying someone you'll have to care for. According to Mrs. Russo's report, your soon-to-be husband has mild functionality. You know what that means-you also studied special psychology in med school."

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could speak, the door opened and a new doctor walked in, accompanied by three medical staff.

"Dr. Wolfe, everything is ready," the medical staff said, referring to Dominic.

"I'm going to inject the anesthesia now," said the doctor assisting him.

I tried to steady my breath, nerves tightening in my chest. I didn't know exactly what would happen, but I knew I had to stay

calm.

"Goodbye, Roxie..." Dominic murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow as he let go of the friend he once knew.

A single tear slipped down my cheek.

Moments later, I felt the medication coursing through my veins. My limbs grew heavy, and my vision blurred. Slowly, I closed my eyes and surrendered to the darkness.

While I lay unconscious, Dominic and the other surgeon worked on reshaping my face, turning me into Selene Marchand. Beneath the haze of anesthesia, a familiar rage stirred within me-a burning anger toward those who had screwed me over.

'Gideon. Zara. You'll pay for everything.'

It wasn't a threat. It was a vow.

***

I can still feel the swelling on my face, even though it's been two weeks. Dominic had to perform rhinoplasty, adjust my eyelids, do lip augmentation, add cheek fillers-everything to make me look like Selene.

The surgery was excruciating. But can anything be more painful than the weight of my heart, shattered by the past?

Even though the swelling was still pretty noticeable, I'd decided to embrace my new reality with determination. The stitches had been taken out days ago, but I still had to keep the bandages on for a while to make sure everything healed properly.

Dominic sat next to me on the rooftop of his recovery house. I stared at the horizon, lost in thought, as the cool evening breeze eased some discomfort.

"How are you feeling?" Dominic asked softly.

I responded with a slight nod, careful not to strain the healing tissues of my face.

"You know," he continued, "you're the first patient I've ever performed this comprehensive facial reconstruction on." He shook his head. "It must be painful. And probably itchy."

"At least it's only been painful once." I couldn't manage a laugh or joke, minimizing any facial movement that might disturb the healing tissues. "Unlike what he did to me, that mental torment stuck around for years."

ROXIE 5: What Now?

"Oh, Selene..." He sighed, his voice filled with concern.

Seeking distraction from thoughts of Gideon and his betrayal, I asked, “What does my face look like now?"

The staff had removed all the mirrors from Dominic's recovery house to protect the patients' mental state and to keep them focused on their healing.

"I feel like I'm responsible for what you're going through," he said, gently stroking my hair. "This whole thing with Mrs. Russo-her using the debt I racked up, asking for her help after the fire in the ship... yeah, she's nice, but when she wants to take advantage of something, she doesn't hold back."

I could feel the weight of Dominic's guilt.

"You were just trying to save me, Dom... I'm grateful you were there because I had surrendered to fate that night. I was prepared to let the flames consume me."

I stopped momentarily, letting the weight of my words sink in. “That's why Roxanne Sanders died on that ship. The person I was back then... she's gone. The woman I'm becoming now? She's someone completely different."

I rested my head on his shoulder, finding comfort in the quiet moment between us.

Three months after that conversation, the physical pain had finally gone. My face had healed surprisingly well-the swelling was gone, and in its place was a smoothness that still felt slightly strange to the touch.

It was also the day Mrs. Russo came to pick me up. According to her, Selene needed to return to the mansion, not only to return to school, but also because the wedding was in two weeks.

I walked down the wide stairs of Dominic's recovery center, the unfamiliar dress swaying around me. Mrs. Russo gasped when she saw me, clearly shocked by how much I had changed.

During recovery, I had avoided mirrors on purpose, just as the rehab team advised. We all feared that seeing my reflection too soon might be too much. I agreed not just for medical reasons, but because I was afraid of seeing someone I didn't recognize.

"Oh, my God! My sister is definitely going to be surprised when she sees you!" she exclaimed.

Dominic stood nearby, pride gleaming in his eyes. "Are you ready to see yourself?"

I nodded, my heart beating faster.

He pulled the cover off a large mirror, nearly floor-to-ceiling.noveldrama

A striking young woman with chestnut hair stood in front of me. Her features were soft but unique, delicate in a way that felt almost unreal. She looked fresh, full of life. It was strange, really. That face didn't match the soul behind it. I was looking at a beautiful stranger...

Dominic pulled me into a hug. It was a relief that we'd still see each other

regularly since I'd need to be checked by him every month.

"You have to call me regularly, Selene..." Dominic said, his use of my new name

landing with particular emphasis. Tears blurred my vision.

'Selene...

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