The Man in the Mirror
It was the first thing Ruhan felt.
A sharp, warm pool beneath his body. Pain clung to every bone like frostbite, yet he forced his eyes open. His breath hitched as he scanned the unfamiliar space around him.
A luxury bedroom, dimly lit by the soft glow of a golden chandelier. Velvet curtains drawn halfway, the scent of perfume lingering in the air. And there—curled up in the corner of the bed—was a small figure.
A baby girl, barely a year old, sleeping peacefully amidst the quiet chaos.
Ruhan rose with difficulty, staggering into the attached bathroom. He turned on the light—and froze.
In the mirror stood a stranger with the face of a fallen angel.
He had silver-white hair, a chiseled jaw, and a gaze so lifeless it chilled the room. His skin was pale, lips a soft pink, and his eyes—icy blue, haunting, hollow—looked like they’d once held galaxies… and lost them all.
Ruhan Arora
(softly) He looks… even more emotionless than I ever did. Just how much did you suffer?
Then suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind.
???
Hi, Ruhan. This is… well, me. A fragment of the soul that once lived in this body. Thank you… for accepting the offer.
Ruhan Arora
(nodding) Hi, Ruhan. There’s no need to thank me. But... it seems like your pain ran deeper than even mine.
Original Ruhan
Let me share my memories. Maybe… you’ll understand
A jolt of searing pain shot through his skull like a hammer, and with it came a flood of images—memories so vivid and cruel they felt like his own.
He saw a large family, a perfect portrait—parents, siblings, power, wealth—but all poisoned with rot.
Ruhan had been the fourth child, born alongside a twin. He had two elder brothers, an older sister, and a younger adopted sister. On paper, a full, happy family. In reality, he was the invisible child, the family scapegoat—blamed, beaten, ignored.
He was forced to marry the adopted sister, three years older than him. A cruel, manipulative woman who harbored obsession instead of love.
Ruhan Arora
(disgusted) She drugged you at that party… didn’t she? Made it look like you slept with her. Then claimed pregnancy. I saw it all… she even broke your fingers so you couldn’t design.
Original Ruhan
Yes. She wanted me all to herself. I didn’t even know my twin loved her too. She locked me away, severed me from the world. I discovered I had a rare heart condition when I was a child—no cure, only precautions. But her torture shortened my life.
Then came the part that broke Ruhan entirely.
The little girl sleeping on the bed… was his daughter.
His only light in the darkness.
Original Ruhan
(voice breaking) After I died, I watched through the mercy of the God of Life. She married my twin. He hated my daughter—blamed her for not being able to marry her sooner. He beat her. She starved. My wife… my wife said my death wasn’t enough. That the girl should have died too. My daughter… took her life at fifteen.
The image burned into Ruhan’s heart—a girl standing on a rooftop, alone, small hands clenched.
Original Ruhan
She was named by me. My one gift to her… her name is Liora. It means light in the darkness.
Tears blurred Ruhan’s vision.
Ruhan Arora
(whispering) So that’s her name... Liora. Don’t worry. I’ll protect her. I’ll give her the love you were denied. I’ll make them regret every breath they ever took to hurt her.
Original Ruhan
Thank you. This is your journey now. Make it count.
As the voice faded, Ruhan knelt beside the crib and gently tucked a fallen strand of hair behind Liora’s ear.
She stirred lightly, her tiny fingers curling toward him in her sleep.
Ruhan Arora
(gently) I’m not your father… but from today, I’ll love you as if I were born to be.
Will Ruhan be able to face the poisonous lies, abuse, and secrets that await him in this new life?
Can he protect Liora from the very people meant to love her… or will he be swallowed by the same fate that claimed the original Ruhan?
Continue reading to find out.
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