Chapter 2

Julian had only sighed, telling me that because of blind spots and corrupted dashcam footage, the legal battle was complicated. He told me to be patient and wait for the justice system.

Those two years of blindness were pure hell. I had almost forgotten what the sun looked like.

Now, my mind was hijacked by the nightmare of that hound tearing into my flesh, and the angry shouts of strangers calling me a menace.

Sharp teeth ripping through muscle, the low, rabid snarl of a predator...

I gasped, violently jolted awake from the nightmare—only to hear heavy, ragged panting coming from the sofa across the room.

"Harder... she’s completely dead to the world, she won't hear a thing~"

"Chloe, you're driving me crazy... Why did we have to do this right here in Nora’s room..."

Just like with that sick guide dog prank, Chloe’s voice was dripping with malicious playfulness.

"Because I want to claim what's mine right in front of her!"

"She's a useless blind cripple. She doesn't deserve a man like you."

Right there on the sofa, they engaged in a shameless, filthy tryst.

Their muffled groans and the sickening slap of skin on skin made the blood in my veins run cold.

I dug my nails into my palms until they bled, listening to every disgusting noise, my tears silently soaking the pillow.

I kept my eyes wide open until dawn, until the dry sockets burned like acid.

Julian finally walked Chloe out. But as he reached the door, he paused, walked back to my bed, and gently tucked the blanket around my shoulders.

"Nora?" he whispered.

When I didn't flinch, he turned and left the room.

Minutes later, my phone vibrated. It was Dr. Miller, the chief of ophthalmology. He sounded thrilled.

"Mrs. Hayes, a donor cornea match just became available! We can schedule your transplant for next week!"

A lump formed in my throat. I had waited an eternity for this miracle.

Immediately, I made a firm request: "Dr. Miller, please keep this surgery completely confidential. Don't tell my husband. Don't tell anyone."

Though confused, Dr. Miller agreed.

During the week that followed, Julian kept his word—he didn't visit me once during daylight hours.

Except, of course, when the mood struck him in the dead of night, and he would sneak Chloe into my hospital room for another sickening round.

Julian thought I was oblivious. He had no idea every breath, every filthy word, was etched into my soul.

On the day of the transplant, I had the nurse quietly transfer me to a private surgical wing.

For three agonizing hours on the operating table, I endured the searing light of hope and the burning torment of betrayal.

Meanwhile, Julian was wining and dining Chloe at a five-star rooftop restaurant, celebrating their private romance over candlelight.

"The surgery was an absolute success," the surgeon told me later. "Once we remove the bandages in a week, your vision will be restored."

I nodded, my heart pounding with a fierce, quiet anticipation.

I just never imagined that the very first face I would see when the bandages came off would be Chloe Jenkins.

The very woman who had taken pleasure in humiliating me while I was down.

"Nora, sweetie, do you remember who I am?"

I sat quietly on the edge of the bed, blinking slowly as my eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight, ignoring her taunting voice.

Chloe had no clue I could see. She swaggered over, leaning down until her face was inches from mine, a smug smirk plastered across her features.

"It's okay if you don't. You haven't seen a thing since you went blind anyway! I'm just here to give you a little friendly advice: divorce Julian."

"He doesn't give a damn about you. While you’re fast asleep, we've fucked on that couch a hundred times right next to you!"

"If you have an ounce of dignity left, pack your shit and get lost!"

As she snarled the words, she deliberately dug her manicured fingers into the fresh wound on my thigh, pressing down with all her weight.

Agony exploded through my leg. It felt like my flesh was tearing apart all over again.

With lightning speed, I reached up and clamped my fingers around her wrist like a vice, turning my head to lock eyes with her.

My clear, focused gaze pierced right through her. Finally, I was looking at the monster in front of me.

Young, pretty, sweet-faced—with features that bore an eerie resemblance to a younger version of myself.

"So, you're Chloe Jenkins?"