Eva's scar was not just a mark on her cheek; it was a symbol of a past shrouded in mystery and tragedy. Since infancy, she had been left at the orphanage's doorstep, a baby girl named Eva with only a note pinned to her swaddling clothes.
The note spoke of a mother's desperate plea to save her daughter, revealing little about herself except for the name Eva and the promise of answers locked away until her 17th birthday.
Raised with care by the orphanage staff, Eva grew into a college student with striking features that belied the scar etched into her cheek. Her luminous green eyes, framed by dark lashes, contrasted sharply with the thin, pale line that ran from the corner of her mouth to just below her ear.
It was a reminder of a fateful night when chaos erupted in her life, intertwining her destiny with that of an old lady she had grown close to over the years.
The old lady, known affectionately as Mrs. Hawthorne, had taken a special interest in Eva from the moment they met. Mrs. Hawthorne was a solitary figure who lived in a large, creaky house at the edge of town, surrounded by an overgrown garden that seemed to mirror her own mysterious past.
There was an inexplicable connection between them, as if they shared a bond deeper than mere friendship. Eva often spent her afternoons with Mrs. Hawthorne, helping her tend to the garden, listening to her stories, and enjoying the warmth of her company.
The garden was a place of solace for Eva. It was filled with an array of flowers, from vibrant tulips to delicate roses, each plant seemingly having its own story to tell.
The ivy that climbed the stone walls of the house seemed to whisper secrets of times long past. Eva would lose herself in the garden, her fingers trailing along the petals and leaves, feeling a sense of peace that she had never known before.
Mrs. Hawthorne, with her silver hair tied back in a loose bun and her kind, weathered face, was always there, tending to the plants with a loving touch.
One rainy afternoon, Eva was helping Mrs. Hawthorne organize the attic, a treasure trove of forgotten memories. Dust motes danced in the shafts of light that pierced the gloom, illuminating stacks of old books, trunks filled with faded clothes, and boxes overflowing with photographs.
As Eva sorted through the piles, she stumbled upon an old photograph tucked inside a leather-bound album. The photograph depicted a younger version of Mrs. Hawthorne, her face radiant and unscarred, standing next to a woman bearing a striking resemblance to Eva.
The woman had the same scar on her cheek, positioned exactly like Eva's.
The old lady had made the scar on her face in regret of telling the gangster about the doctor's daughter Eva, and that was why it looked so similar.
Eva's heart pounded in her chest as she gazed at the photograph, her mind racing with questions. She turned to Mrs. Hawthorne, her eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.
Mrs. Hawthorne, her hands trembling as she clutched the photograph, began to speak. Her voice was heavy with years of buried sorrow.
"My dear Eva," she began, her voice trembling with emotion, "your mother died because of me."
Mrs. Hawthorne went on to explain that she was her mother's best friend. She also showed another photograph, and the woman in the photograph was none other than Eva's mother. She recounted the tragic events that had separated them, starting with Eva's abandonment at the orphanage and culminating in a night of terror that left scars, both physical and emotional.
Years ago, Eva's mother had been a respected doctor, known for her skill and compassion. Her dedication to her patients was unwavering, and she often went above and beyond to provide care for those in need. One fateful night, a thief barged into their home, seeking medical aid for his wounded boss.
He held Eva's mother at knifepoint, demanding her assistance under threat of harm to Eva. In the chaos that ensued, a gunshot rang out, followed by screeching tires as a car sped away into the night.
Eva's mother, injured and traumatized, managed to escape with Eva to safety, but not before the thief inflicted a cut on Eva's face as a grim reminder of his brutality.