A Bright Future

Inside the oversized hospital gown, my fists were clenched.Today was supposed to be the day of my wedding with my fiance, Anthony Jackson.But I was lying in a hospital bed because of a car accident.The day before the wedding, I received a phone call.On the other end of the line, Anthony was completely drunk.The bar owner asked me to pick him up and take him home.I dropped the wedding favors I was wrapping and rushed out after throwing on a coat.Just before leaving, I saw the car keys Anthony had left at the door.He had especially left them for me that day."You're going to the station to pick up your friends today. It'll be more convenient if you have a car. I left the keys by the door for you."When he kissed my forehead, my heart was full of sweetness, grateful that I was marrying such a thoughtful man.The streets were deserted late at night. At an intersection, a truck swerved past in front of me. I didn’t have time to think. Instinctively, I stepped on the brake

The first time I saw Indya was at Anthony’s company.The building was completely dark, with only a dim light still glowing in Anthony’s office.Indya was in his arms, and I could hear the sound of uncontrollable sobbing.“Is this the life you left me for?”Anthony’s voice was choked with emotion, his eyes filled with pain he could no longer hide.“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Anthony... I can’t see anymore... I’m already useless...”Before Indya could finish speaking, Anthony silenced her with a kiss.“Do... you still want me?” Indya asked almost pleadingly, and Anthony answered her with nothing but gentle kisses, one after another.“Indya, do you know... all these years since you left, I kept dreaming of the moment you stepped onto that plane. I shouldn’t have held you back. Your world is so much bigger.”I stood at the door holding a meal box, looking like a complete joke.The sounds of their intimacy grew louder and louder. I silently hailed a taxi and went back home.It wasn’t

Indya had appeared in front of me at some unknown point.She looked coldly at the fire burning in front of me.Then she kicked me.The sparks scorched my skin, and I instinctively stood up.But I bumped into the foot of the bed.“It’s Nina, right? I’ve heard about you. I thought someone who married Anthony must be someone very special, but you’re really nothing.“Looking at how pitiful you are now, I’ll be kind and tell you the truth—I was never blind. I just didn’t expect Anthony to actually make something of himself back home. I came back to see how he’d react.“Luckily, he didn’t disappoint me.”Indya looked down on me from above, her cold palm slapping my face.“You know, ever since I returned to the country, Anthony started renting hotel rooms with me. He married you, because he wanted the right to sign the cornea donation papers on your behalf. Every day since you got your marriage certificate, he’s been in my bed. All I have to do is beckon. As for your eyes—well, what

"I was the one who told her.""I told her that you dug out her corneas for me."Indya clung to Anthony’s arm, speaking the coldest words in the gentlest tone."I know you feel guilty toward her, but love is something uncontrollable. Anthony, I can’t accept you marrying her, even if it’s just to make amends."What Indya said was touching.If it had been the old Anthony, he would’ve been deeply moved.Almost the very next second after hearing her words, Anthony’s expression turned cold."What did you say?"His hands clamped tightly around Indya’s neck, and his eyes turned bloodshot."The corneas were already given to you—why did you have to tell Nina! Do you have any idea how much that would hurt her!"So, Anthony had known everything all along, and still chose to hurt me without hesitation.A flash of disbelief crossed Indya’s eyes, and then she burst into a mocking laugh."I know. But Anthony, weren’t Nina’s corneas offered up by your own hands? Now you want to play Mr. Nic

That day, Rio arrived very late, with her clothes soaked in patches—it was obvious she had rushed over."I wouldn’t have gotten soaked indoors, don’t be in such a hurry next time."As we stepped outside the shop, she paused for a moment.I reached out, confused, trying to tug at her sleeve.But I missed.The next second, a sharp slapping sound exploded next to my ear."Anthony, you dare show up here again?"I froze in place.I hadn’t expected Anthony to leave behind Indya, the one he supposedly couldn't let go of, and come all the way here."Did you come to deliver the divorce papers?"I couldn’t see Anthony’s eyes, swollen from crying, nor could I see how it tore at his heart watching me grope my way down the steps.He began to reflect on the foolish things he had done, guilt flooding him like a rising tide."I didn’t sign it, Nina. I won’t sign it."I walked toward the sound of Anthony’s voice and slapped him hard across the face."Rio, check for me—did I hit him?"Rio