Chapter 1

"Tomorrow, I'll have the doctor schedule his surgery," my wife, Vivia Rhodes, said. "Just be careful not to let anything slip in front of Julian over the next couple of days. Once he's discharged, I'll take him with me to bring Cece home."

Hailey Dawson, her best friend, looked worried. "Vivian, do you really have to have his eye removed? Maybe you should think this through.

"We've all seen how good Julian has been to you over the years. If you want to bring Cece home, there has to be another way. You don't have to be this cruel.

"He's already lost his career and his ability to have children. If you take away his sight too, how is he supposed to live?"

Vivian sighed. After a brief pause, she finally spoke. "I'll be honest with you. The cornea is actually for Andy.

"A month ago, Andy and I went hiking in the countryside when we were caught in a landslide. He went blind in both eyes trying to save me. The doctors said a corneal transplant is his only chance of recovering his sight.

"You know a painter's eyes and hands are everything. If he goes blind, it's as good as losing his life. Besides, he was injured saving me. I have to save him."

Hailey scoffed. "You know a painter's whole life is in his eyes and hands, yet you destroyed a gifted artist like Julian with your own hands."

She looked up at Vivian and saw the guilt in her eyes.

With a helpless sigh, she continued, "I know we can't change the past. What's done is done. But… can't you just take his cornea? Why remove the entire eye?

"If you only take the cornea, there's still a chance he could see again someday. But if you remove the whole eye, he'll be blind for life."

Vivian's voice remained calm. "You… you don't understand. I have my reasons."

She paused, then added, "I'll take care of him for the rest of his life. Cece will only ever see him as her father. He'll have Cece and me. That's all he needs."

Hearing this, Hailey looked at Vivian with deep disappointment. "Julian has given you everything all these years, yet you keep hurting him for Andrew. We've been friends for 12 years, but I never realized how badly you could lose your sense of right and wrong.

"Vivian, I realize that I never truly knew you. You keep crossing the line further and further. If you don't love him, then let him go. Why do you have to hurt him like this? Let's not stay in touch anymore."