I saved Cole Richardson’s life, and it cost me my sight. He swore to God he would be my eyes for the rest of our days, that he would never leave my side. I followed every one of the doctor’s orders, clinging to the hope of recovery. The day my vision finally returned, I ran home, my heart soaring, ready to share the incredible news. But what I found was Cole tangled up in our bed with his secretary, Kylie. They were locked in a passionate embrace, lost in each other. In the heat of the moment, Cole moaned her name. “Cole,” Kylie whispered breathlessly, “why don’t you just divorce the blind girl? I’m the one who truly loves you, who understands you.” “Just wait a little longer,” he panted. “I need more time.” That night, a blizzard raged outside. I walked out of our home in a thin housecoat, my heart a frozen stone in my chest. I booked a one-way ticket back to Shadowpine Ridge. I would disappear from his life, and he would never find me again. 1 After booking the flight, I had assumed the two lovers inside might have finished their sordid affair. But when I steeled myself and walked back into the house, they had moved their performance from the bedroom to the living room. They were still wrapped around each other, kissing so fiercely the air tasted of sweat and sex. Cole’s lust-filled eyes met mine. For a second, he bit his lip, trying to silence a moan. Kylie, however, decided to play a wicked game, her hands roaming his body, deliberately teasing him. “Relax, Cole,” she purred, her lips brushing against his ear. “Mara’s blind. She can’t see a thing.” She shot me a look of pure contempt. Cole swatted her playfully. “Don’t be naughty. We can’t let her hear anything.” “Oh, but I think this is so much more thrilling,” she giggled. “Oops. I think we’re out of those. We need a new one.” Kylie lifted her head, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. She was reminding him, a wicked smile playing on her lips. He fought to control his breathing as he looked across the room at me, still sitting on the sofa. “Should she get it, or should I?” Kylie provoked, her eyes daring him. After a moment of hesitation, Cole gave in to her whim. “Mara, honey,” he called out, his voice strained. “My throat’s a little sore. Could you grab that box of cold medicine from the coffee table for me?” My face was a pale mask as I stared at him. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes glazed over, his hands clutching Kylie as if he couldn’t bear to let her go for even a second. I dug my nails into my palms, forcing my emotions down. I glanced at the so-called “cold medicine” on the table. It was a box of condoms. Cole was asking me to bring them condoms. My heart felt like it had turned to ash. I played the part of the blind wife, my hands fumbling across the coffee table until I found the box. I walked over to them. “You’ve caught a cold?” I asked, my voice trembling, though I tried to sound as caring as ever. He, of course, didn’t notice. “Is it serious?” “N-no, I’m fine. I’ll just take some medicine and get some sleep.” Kylie’s fingers traced a line down his chest. He shot her a look that was half-warning, half-pleasure, silently begging her to stop before taking the box from my hand. “You should get some rest,” he said to me. “I’ll sleep in the guest room. I don’t want you to catch this.” And with that, Cole swept Kylie into his arms and carried her, light as a feather, toward the guest room. After they were gone, a bitter sting filled my nose, and my eyes burned red. Even though I had already decided to leave him, to let him go, the pain was a physical, tearing thing. He had promised he would never lie to me, never betray me. But he had broken his vow. I picked up my phone and called my mentor. “Elder Maeve,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m ready to come home to the Ridge and take up my duties as your successor.” “Are you certain, Mara?” she asked, her voice rich with the wisdom of years. “Once you return, you can never leave again. You know the Ridge is hidden for a reason. We are a world apart. Can you truly bear to leave Cole?” “I can,” I answered without hesitation. The Elder was silent for a long moment. “Very well. Come home in seven days.” Once, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him. I had hesitated, torn. Now, he had made the choice for me. I glanced at the closed door of the guest room. The sounds of their panting were a muffled rhythm in the quiet house. “I let my gifts wither for years,” I murmured into the phone. “I have a healer’s knowledge, yet I brought it shame. Now, I am ready to carry the burden, to ease yours.” “Good,” she said, her voice filled with pride. “You are a true daughter of the Ridge. You will not disappoint me. In eight days, we will all be waiting for you at the entrance to the hollow.” “I’ll be there on time.” After a few more words with my mentor, I hung up. Just then, the guest room door opened, and Cole walked out, wearing nothing but a white dress shirt. His neck, his chest… they were covered in scratches and bite marks, souvenirs from Kylie’s passion. He made no effort to hide them. Why would he? I was blind. 2 A wave of revulsion, so powerful it was physical, washed over me. I gagged, doubling over with a dry heave. Seeing my reaction, Cole rushed towards me, his face etched with concern. As he got closer, I was suffocated by the scent of Kylie’s perfume—a custom blend he had commissioned for her, a scent unique in all the world. The nausea intensified. I shoved him away, my body instinctively recoiling from his touch. Still playing my part, I fumbled my way to the bathroom. I collapsed onto the toilet, retching into the bowl. When the spasms subsided, my eyes fell on the wastebasket. Lying on top was a pregnancy test. Two bright red lines. I stared at it for a long time, and it seemed to stare back, mocking my own inadequacy. I don’t know how to describe the feeling that hollowed me out. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. There was only a vast, endless ache. We hadn’t been intimate in the six months since I’d lost my sight. So he had turned to Kylie. And now, she was carrying his child. “Mara, what’s wrong?” Cole’s panicked voice came from behind me. He wrapped his arms around me, his face a mask of alarm. “Are you sick? When you pushed me away just now… my heart just sank.” The hands on my waist were trembling, as if he feared I might disappear at any moment. He held me tighter. One second, you’re with another woman. The next, you’re whispering words of love to me. You’re a hell of an actor, Cole. I pried his hands off me and put some distance between us. “It’s probably just my stomach. I’ve had trouble keeping anything down lately.” I didn’t know when I had learned to lie so easily. I used to hate people like this, and now I had become one of them. But my words seemed to throw Cole into a full-blown panic. The man who was a notorious neat freak didn’t seem to care that I was covered in my own sickness. He pulled me into a fierce hug. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice thick with guilt. “I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t had time for you. You’ve been eating all alone, not taking care of yourself. It’s all my fault.” He cupped my face, his brow furrowed with genuine-looking pain. He led me back to the bedroom and pulled out a fresh set of clothes. I stopped him, dressing myself. Cole froze, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. It was the first time since we were married that I hadn’t needed his help. His heart, he later told me, skipped a beat. I was already in bed when he carefully tucked the covers around me. “Mara, are you angry with me? Is it because I haven’t been spending enough time with you?” he asked softly. “Tomorrow’s your birthday. I’ll take the whole day off. I’ll spend it all with you, okay?” The man who was a ruthless titan of industry, who made his rivals tremble, could also have this pleading, humble side. I didn’t know if I was lucky or cursed. Drowsiness washed over me. As I was drifting off, Cole must have thought I was asleep. His phone buzzed. He quickly silenced it, then whispered my name twice. When I didn’t stir, he answered. “You’re terrible,” Kylie’s voice purred from the other end. “You ripped my panties. Now, you’re going to get me a new pair. Immediately.” “I’ll be right there,” Cole whispered back. He glanced down at me, stroked my cheek tenderly, then quietly got up and left the room. My hand clenched the bedsheet, and the tears I’d been holding back finally broke free. She had never left. He was keeping her here, in our home. Taunting me with what I couldn’t see. I tried to soothe myself. It’s okay. Just seven more days. Then you’ll be free. You’ll be done with him forever. 3 I woke up the next morning to find Cole already in the kitchen. He had prepared a feast for breakfast—all my favorite pastries and side dishes. He picked one up with his chopsticks and held it to my lips. “Open up, sweetheart. Let me feed you.” Across the table, Kylie pouted, clearly displeased. Right in front of me, Cole pulled out his phone and typed a message to her: I’ll make it up to you later. Don’t cause a scene in front of Mara. I’ll give you anything you want. A triumphant smirk flickered across Kylie’s face. She shot me a disdainful look, then stood and walked away from the table. As she passed Cole, her fingers brushed against his thigh before she sashayed out of the room. I didn’t take the food Cole offered. Instead, I picked up my own chopsticks and, pretending I couldn’t see, chose something else from the table. Cole assumed I was still sulking. After breakfast, he insisted on taking me out. He had chartered a private yacht and invited dozens of our friends for what he called a grand birthday celebration for me. He held my hand tightly the entire time, guiding me, afraid I might fall. He kept bringing up sweet memories from our past, his voice soft with nostalgia. I said nothing, the irony and pain a tangled knot in my gut. I once believed we would grow old together, inseparable. It had all become a joke. Cole craved excitement, the thrill of a young, new body. He had forgotten the vows we made at our wedding. The path onto the yacht was carpeted with vibrant, dew-kissed rose petals. I had always hated roses. Cole knew that. But Kylie loved them. This grand gesture wasn't for me. So much for a birthday party in my honor. Another lie. “Mara, this is where we had our wedding,” Cole said, his voice thick with emotion. “It was broadcast live around the world, so everyone would know how much Cole Richardson adored you.” As he spoke, a single tear escaped his eye and rolled down his cheek. He lifted my hand and pressed my fingertips to the wetness. A man must be truly in love to shed a tear so sincerely. If he hadn’t cheated, hadn’t betrayed me, I might have been moved enough to cry with him. He had loved me once. But that was a lifetime ago. Now, his love was split, shared with Kylie. I pulled my hand away, my expression as calm as still water. Cole, lost in his own memories, looked hurt by my lack of response, his eyes falling. But it only lasted a second. His face lit up, a smile spreading across his lips as he looked towards the deck. Kylie was walking towards us, wearing a stunning, provocative dress that Cole had clearly commissioned for her. The dress clung to her curves, making her look both elegant and expensive. Compared to my simple, understated clothes, I was utterly eclipsed. “Happy birthday, Mrs. Richardson,” Kylie said with a radiant smile. She then moved to Cole’s side and, ignoring everyone else, took his hand in hers. “Mr. Richardson,” she announced, “everything is ready. I’ll count to three.” “One!” “Two!” “Three!”
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