Chapter 15: Something Else I Need
"Why would you help me? And how?" Anna asked, her voice almost trembling with uncertainty. She was still struggling to grasp the full weight of the situation, as if the world had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her standing on unsteady ground.
"Let's start with how." William's tone was matter-of-fact as he gestured for Daniel to take a seat.
"The acid that splashed onto your face will leave deep scarring—scars that won't fade on their own. The only way to remove them is through plastic surgery. I'll cover the costs, and while you're at it, you can use this opportunity to alter your appearance. You can't reenter the world as Anna Hyde. That identity is dead. From now on, you'll be someone else, and a new face is the first step."
Anna didn't react immediately. She had known, ever since William told her what the doctor had said, that her skin would be permanently damaged. But the idea of changing her face entirely—of looking in the mirror and seeing a stranger—sent a ripple of fear through her.
She had never been insecure about her appearance. Even Marienne, one of the most beautiful women Anna had ever known, used to tell her how lucky she was to have such naturally striking features.
It wasn't that she feared looking worse after surgery—she trusted modern medicine. But it was the thought of letting go of who she was, even in a purely physical sense, that unsettled her.
Before she could dwell on it any further, William's voice cut through her thoughts again. "Don't waste time on useless thoughts." It was almost as if he could read her mind. "I know it's a daunting process, but Anna Hyde is dead. You can't be her anymore."
A heavy silence settled between them before Anna finally spoke, her voice firm, resolute.
"Alright. A new face it is. What else?"