Tangled Proof

Clover’s POV

Jeff helps me out of the car, and I let out a long sigh before whispering, “Come on, Jeff.”

He guides me toward the mall entrance, my hand lightly linked with his arm. I keep my walking stick in my other hand, but I don’t tap it on the ground. I can’t. Not when I’m trying to convince the world I’m still blind, especially him.

My vision…

God, it’s almost fully back. I see clearer faces, more vivid colors, store signs, and neon lights.

Everything is still a little blurry, but compared to the darkness of five years?

It’s a miracle.

But I can’t let Jeff, or anyone, know yet.

“Walk me around and talk to me about the different stores you see,” I tell him softly.

He slows his pace, adjusting to the command. “Yes, ma’am.”

As we move through the mall, I sigh quietly.

“Ma’am,” Jeff murmurs, “are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just keep walking, Jeff.”

And then I see it.

Baby Depot.

Bright pink sign. Strollers in the window. The kind of place you shop when you’re preparing for a new life.

Common sense kicks in like a slap to the face.

My husband is in there.

With a pregnant woman.

Where would they go?

Right there.

“Jeff,” I say calmly, “take me into that store.”

He hesitates. “Ma’am… do you know what store this is?”

“What's the name of the store, Jeff?”

“It’s called Baby Depot. Are you sure you want to go in there?”

A sharp breath. “I’m positive.”

We step inside. I slide on my darkest sunglasses so no one can see my eyes tracking every movement around me.

And then I spot them.

In the baby girl section.

Laughing, smiling, and shopping.

Daisy is holding up a tiny pink onesie, giggling that obnoxious cackle I’ve despised for years.

“Oh my God, this is sooo cute for a baby girl! Don’t you think so, hun?”

Hun.

The word hits me like a blade twisted between my ribs.

Zade’s voice follows, warm and gentle in a way he hasn’t used with me in months.

“Of course. Anything you want. I like that one over there too with the tutu atrached.”

My throat burns. My chest tightens.

Jeff leans down and whispers, “Ma’am… are you sure we should be in here?”

“Yes, Jeff. Keep walking. And act like you don’t see them. Okay?”

“But ma’am, how do you know Mr. Smith is in this store?”

I point at my nose. “I can smell his cologne and aftershave mixture. I have a very strong sense of smell. Like you, you smell like spearmint and nutmeg. Every day.”

He blinks, surprised. “That’s… exactly right.”

We keep walking.

And they keep shopping.

Oblivious to us, bold, and reckless.

They fill an entire cart full of clothes, bottles, blankets, a baby bathtub, a car seat.

My husband lifts the box easily, carrying it under one arm.

“Jeff,” I whisper, “follow them.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As we trail behind them, he asks, “Do you want to walk the entire mall?”

“Yes. Take me toward the food court.”

“That’s where they’re heading it seems ma'am.”

The moment we enter the food court, I act unfazed, even though my eyes land directly on them, sitting, talking, and eating right across from me.

“Take me to the steak and potato place,” I tell him.

He leads me there. The girl at the counter asks for my order.

“Can I have a Philly cheesesteak? Everything on it. Six-inch. With fries.”

She nods. “Works or no works for the fries?”

“No works. Just everything on the sandwich.”

Jeff orders too, adding a lemonade. I ask for a water. We pay, get the ticket, and find a table.

Jeff keeps glancing at me.

I keep pretending I don’t see a damn thing.

“Ma’am… are you okay?” he asks again.

“Yes. I’m fine. I’ll be even better soon.”

Our number is called. Jeff gets up to grab the food.

And the second he steps away, Zade jumps to his feet, almost knocking his chair over. He rushes straight to Jeff, grabbing him by the arm and starts whisper yelling like a guilty man caught in headlights.

“What are you doing here? Why did you bring her here? What’s going on?”

Jeff doesn’t flinch.

He lies smoothly.

“I brought the madam here for dinner.”

I silently applaud him.

Zade looks over at me.

I stare straight ahead.

Unmoving, looking unbothered, and kept my face indifferent.

He whispers something harsh to Jeff and then rushes back to Daisy. They pack up quickly with his movements being frantic, and hers looking smug.

And god, that smirk.

The kind that says:

I won. You lost.

Jeff returns with the food and sits down as if nothing happened.

“Did you get ketchup?” I ask calmly.

“Oh, no, ma’am. Let me grab some.”

While he’s gone, I watch my husband, the man I married, trusted, and adored, shove food containers into bags, whisper to Daisy, and help her stand.

She rubs her belly.

He puts his hand on top of hers.

And it hits me.

This is his child, and this is not a mistake.

Not just a moment of weakness.

Months.

Six, maybe, or maybe more.

Jeff returns. “Here’s the ketchup, ma’am.”

“Thank you. Put it on the fries for me please.”

He does. Then he sits, clearing his throat.

“Mr. Smith is leaving, ma’am. He said if you ever found out he was here, I could lose my job.”

I laugh bitterly. “Jeff, you will never lose your job, especially not for protecting me.”

He exhales with relief.

“When we get in the car,” I say quietly, “I need to talk to you. I’ll need your help.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

We finish eating, and Jeff packs up the leftovers. We leave the mall. Once we are back in the car, I take a deep breath and remove my sunglasses.

He glances at me in the rearview mirror and I say, "Your blue eyes... " At that moment Jeff then jerks the car to a stop at a red light, eyes wide.

I smile faintly. “Jeff… are very gorgeous.”

He turns fully toward me. “Ma’am… you can see?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “About sixty maybe seventy percent better. The experimental procedures, they’re working. But I need you to promise you won’t say anything to anyone. Not yet. Because what my husband is doing? It won’t fly with me.”

Jeff’s voice is steady, loyal. “Yes, ma’am. Whatever you need.”

“Cause, when I leave that house,” I say slowly, “you’re going with me. And I can pay you double the amount he does.”

Jeff smiles. “Yes, ma’am. Your safety is my priority.”

Back at the house, he helps me inside. I drop his arm and walk up the stairs without my stick fast, angry, and sure. Jeff watches with shock, but I don’t stop.

Once in my room, I stare at myself in the mirror. My vision sharpens more every minute, and then I see it,

The necklace.

The one Zade gave me after the accident.

His soul promise.

His lifetime claim.

His fucking lie.

I’ve never removed it, ever.

Until now.

I unclasp it and place it on the dresser with shaking hands.

Then I sit on the edge of the bed.

My chest now hollow.

My heart completely drained.

My rage quiet and focused.

And in that moment, I know, with perfect clarity that I am done with Zade Smith.

Forever.