[1]

“Your husband is having an affair with my fiancée, Nora.”

The spoon in Nora’s hand fell just like that. The sound was quite disturbing to the other patrons in the restaurant where they were meeting that afternoon. For a few moments, Nora did not move. But she could not afford to lose control.

Slowly, even though she had to feel around for what was in front of her, including the cup of lemon tea she had ordered, she eventually managed to grasp the handle of the cup.

“The first thing you say to me after five years without a word is this ridiculousness, Keith?” Nora asked, trying to remain calm. She calmly took a sip of her tea.

In front of her, although she could not directly see what her stepbrother, Keith Laurent, looked like, there was no way Nora could forget his voice and tone. How could Nora forget Keith, who had grown up with her for more than twenty years? Even though the man now sitting before her was her stepbrother, in Nora’s eyes, Keith was still the younger brother she loved and was proud of.

“I’m telling you the truth.” Keith shifted slightly in his seat. “Although I’m quite shocked by your condition right now, but ... are you really blind to the point that you can’t sense what’s happening?”

Nora put the cup down harshly. Once again, it made a sound that was quite disturbing and drew attention.

“Watch what you say, Keith.”

“I have no intention of deceiving you. Not even by saying something ridiculous like what you just accused me of.” Keith knew how difficult it was to tell his stepsister something this insane.

“And where did you get that idea?” Nora asked calmly. She had already regained control of herself.

“I have proof,” Keith said. “At first, I only wanted to find out why my fiancée suddenly went to South City.”

Nora frowned slightly. “Your ... fiancée?”

“Yes.” Keith let out a long sigh. “I intended to give you an invitation when the engagement party was held. I ... am Catherine Beaumont’s fiancé, Nora.”

Nora slowly shook her head. “We haven’t seen each other for five years, Keith. There are many things I don’t know about your life.”

“Same goes for me.” Keith fell silent for a moment. “After you got married, I was busy with my studies. And I was so shocked to learn that you’re in this condition, Nora.”

Nora did not answer.

“Catherine said she had some business in South City. At first, I didn’t think much of it because our relationship hadn’t been officially announced yet. However, she stayed here for too long and became increasingly difficult to reach.”

“So you came to South City to look for her?”

“At first, yes.” Keith leaned back in his chair. “When I tried to find out where she was, I discovered that she often met with a man named Javier.”

Nora fell silent.

“I thought it was just a coincidence that they had the same name,” Keith said with a quiet laugh. “I never expected that man to be your husband. I also didn’t know Catherine was Javier’s childhood best friend.”

Keith drew a deep breath. “At first, I didn’t believe there was anything between them. I just thought they happened to meet often. But the more I looked into it, the more things started to feel strange.”

“Then?”

“Until one day, I saw them myself.”

Nora swallowed. “Where?”

“Meridien East City Hotel.” Keith’s voice grew heavier.

“I saw Catherine enter the hotel. A short while later, Javier arrived. I followed them because by then, my suspicions had become too great to ignore.”

Without realizing it, Nora’s hands clenched tightly.

“And what I saw afterward made it impossible for me to deny it anymore.”

Keith paused for a moment.

“I saw them leave together. After that, I started gathering evidence. Photos, messages, and several other things that showed their relationship.” Keith continued telling Nora everything about their relationship.

Nora listened to everything until he finished. She did not interrupt Keith even once. But after her brother stopped speaking, Nora simply took a deep breath.

“I love Javier, Keith.”

Keith fell silent.

“And that love comes with trust.” Nora’s voice remained calm, though there was a slight tremor in it. “I’ve been married to him for five years. I know what Javier is like. I know how he treats me. I know how he loves me.”

“Nora—”

“I don’t believe everything you’re saying. And Catherine? There’s no way she could be like that.”

Keith was stunned. “But what I said—”

“Even if you bring all that evidence to me, I still believe Javier could never do something like this.”

Several seconds passed in silence before Keith laughed. It was not a happy laugh, but a short laugh that sounded like someone who no longer knew what else to say.

“You really are blind.”

Nora lifted her face. “Keith, I warn you.”

“I’m not insulting your condition, Nora.” Keith leaned forward slightly. “I’m saying that you can’t see what’s happening right in front of you.”

Nora growled under her breath.

Keith stared at his sister’s face for quite a while before finally saying, “And there’s one more thing that puzzles me.”

“What?”

“Why haven’t you had eye surgery?”

Nora fell silent. “Surgery?”

“Yes. Eye surgery.” Keith slowly shook his head. “Has South City run out of competent eye doctors that my sister has to live like this for six months?”

Nora did not answer immediately. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

Keith stared at Nora’s eyes, hidden behind her sunglasses. “You can still see, Nora.”

Nora froze.

“Your eye condition is not something that can’t be treated. There is still a very good chance that your vision can be restored.”

For the first time since the meeting began, Nora was unable to answer.

Keith put several documents back into the folder he had brought with him.

“I still have all the evidence regarding Javier and Catherine. If you still want to believe your husband after seeing it, that’s your choice.”

He stood up from his seat.

“But if you want to know what is really happening with your eyes, contact me. My number is still the same. You still have it, don’t you?”