Chapter 1

On the day Ethan Carter regained his sight, I stayed up all night outside his hospital room, just to hand-deliver a pot of chicken and rice soup that I had simmered for four hours.

But before I could push the door open, I heard him call another woman.

"Chloe, I can see now."

"Don't cry. I promised you that as soon as I got better, I’d come to get you myself."

Standing outside the door, the thermos in my hands slowly grew cold.

For three years, I had stayed by his side through his blindness, his violent rages, and countless painful nights. I had even given up my own future just to be his eyes.

Yet, once he regained his sight, the first person he wanted to see was never me.

Later, his mother handed me a check for ten million dollars.

"Take the money and leave with some dignity."

Looking down at the newly transferred balance in my account, I smiled for the first time.

"Okay."

This time, I didn't want him anymore.

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**Nora's POV**

New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

The early morning sun streamed through the glass windows, lighting up the VIP suite.

I had been standing in the hallway outside his room all night, without a single wink of sleep.

My legs were stiff and numb from standing so long, and my eyes were heavily shadowed with dark circles.

Yet, my hands still held the thermos steadily.

Inside was a soothing chicken and rice soup. I had borrowed the hospital's small kitchen at three in the morning and simmered it for four hours.

Knowing Ethan's fragile stomach, I had shredded the chicken finely and cooked the rice until it was practically melted, leaving only a rich, warm, comforting broth.

Through the cracked door, I could see the doctors and nurses moving around.

They were probably removing the final layers of bandages.

I didn't dare push the door open.

I was terrified that my sudden entrance might distract the doctors. More than that, I was terrified that the hope I’d carried for three years would end in disappointment.

So, like a devout believer, I waited humbly outside, barely daring to breathe, silently praying for everything to go well.

"Mr. Carter, you can try opening your eyes slowly now. Take your time, don't force it, let your eyes adjust to the light."

The lead doctor’s voice drifted out, laced with relief.

The room fell dead silent for a few seconds.

Then, I heard Ethan’s ragged breathing, followed by his trembling, ecstatic voice. "I can see... Doctor, I can see!"

The moment I heard those words, all my exhaustion vanished. Tears of pure joy spilled over before I could stop them.

Three years. Over a thousand days and nights of darkness and suffering had finally led to this moment.

I was trembling with excitement. I took a step forward, ready to push the door open.

I wanted to run in, hold him tight, and be the very first thing he saw now that he had his sight back.

But before my hand could touch the doorknob, Ethan’s urgent voice cut through the air. "My phone! Leo, get me my phone!"

I froze.

Inside the room, Ethan dialed a number with practiced ease, his voice filled with his old confidence and wild joy. "Mom, the surgery was a success. Yes, I can see. Everything is perfect. Don't worry."

After a brief call to reassure his mother, he hung up.

I thought he would call my name next. For the past three years, whenever he was awake, whenever he needed anything, the first name out of his mouth was always "Nora."

Instead, the soft sound of dialing echoed again.

Ethan was making a second call.

The hallway was so quiet that even through the crack in the door, I could clearly hear the soft, tearful voice of the woman who answered. "Ethan..."

Chloe Vance.

That name, that voice, made my chest tighten instantly.

"Chloe, I can see now."

Inside the room, Ethan’s voice completely changed.

It wasn't the excitement he had shown his mother, nor was it the cold dependency he had shown me over the last three years. It was a gentle, soothing tone so tender it made my blood run cold.

"Don't cry," he murmured, his voice thick with devotion and tenderness. "I promised you that as soon as I got better, I’d come get you myself. Don't cry, baby. It breaks my heart."

Outside the door, I felt as if I had been turned to stone, frozen in place.

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