They Thought She Couldn't See

"Elise, can you help me stage a car accident? I'll be the one who dies in it."Alison Wendell's voice was hoarse as she spoke into the phone to her best friend.On the other end, Elise Leander's anxious voice came through. "What happened? What did that bastard Ivan do this time?"Alison looked up. Her tears had long dried the moment she discovered Ivan's betrayal. Staring at the sunlight she hadn't seen in ten years, she said, "I want to leave. You're the only one I can rely on now."Elise didn't hesitate. "In two weeks, my brother will be in the city next to yours for a contract negotiation. I'll have him take you away.""Okay."Just then, the bedroom door creaked open behind her. Alison quickly hung up.A tall, broad figure came up from behind and wrapped his arms around her."Alison, I'm sorry. Something urgent came up at the office. I promise I'll go with you to the hospital next time," Ivan Hardman said gently. "Oh, right. How did the appointment go? What did Dr. Sterling

When Alison stepped out of the bathroom, Ivan was already sitting on the couch, waiting for her.He stood and scooped her into his arms, tucking her beneath the blanket, holding her tight."Alison, what's going on today? Did something happen at the hospital? If something's bothering you, tell me. I'll always be your rock."Afraid he might call Dr. Sterling, Alison gave a vague answer. "It's nothing. Maybe I just didn't sleep well."Right then, his phone rang.He didn't try to hide it. He tapped the screen in front of her. A photo popped up—sent by someone saved under the name Jessica. The woman in the picture wore a tight, cat-like costume and knelt on a bed, eyes glazed, lips slightly parted.Jessica: [Waiting for you in bed, Master!]Ivan's breath hitched. His lips curved up before he could stop them.Ivan: [I'll come once Alison's asleep.]Jessica: [Come now! She's blind. She can't even get down the stairs without help. I miss you.]Ivan locked the screen and pressed a kis

Ivan noticed that Alison had become a shell of her former self.She used to be full of life. Even though she couldn't see, she loved sitting in the courtyard sipping coffee, claiming it was her way of "feeling nature." She would build blocks with Josh, watch the news with him, and occasionally—even with the help of the nanny—cook a couple of dishes for the family.She had once been radiant and free.But now, aside from meals, she locked herself in the bedroom all day, sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring blankly at the sky. She looked like a flower on the verge of withering—drained of all color, stripped of all life.Ivan grew increasingly uneasy seeing such a drastic change in her."Alison, what's wrong lately?" he asked anxiously. "Are you upset because I missed your last two appointments? Don't worry. Next time, I promise, I'll go with you. Please don't shut me out… I'm begging you."By the end, his voice was trembling, almost choked with tears.But if he was so af

The next morning, Josh threw himself into Alison's arms, pouting sweetly."Mom, our kindergarten is organizing a study tour, and they said parents have to come along. Can Daddy and I go?"So this was what Jessica meant by Ivan "making it up" to her.Alison lowered her gaze. In her arms, her son was chattering excitedly while secretly making faces at Jessica.When he finished, he affectionately rubbed his cheek against hers.She gently cupped his face, her fingers tracing the soft curves. This was her son. Aside from his mouth—so much like his father's—everything else was a reflection of her.If Ivan had cheated for the thrill, then what about Josh?Back then, she couldn't see a thing. Every time the doctor described her baby during a prenatal check-up, she would quietly imagine what he might look like.Because of her blindness, she had to be ten times more cautious than other expectant mothers. To avoid any mishaps, she'd even sacrificed her dignity—refusing to use the bathroom

As Ivan watched Alison's figure grow smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror, an inexplicable sense of unease welled up in his chest.A voice screamed inside his mind: Stop the car. Turn back!He shook his head, trying to silence it.He had just received a call saying Jessica was experiencing severe abdominal pain and had started bleeding. He had no choice but to leave Alison by the roadside. It would only be a short wait. Nothing would happen.'Nothing will happen,' he kept telling himself, trying to suppress the weight in his chest. But the unease remained, heavy and immovable like a stone pressing down on his heart.When a large truck rumbled toward them from the opposite direction, Ivan furrowed his brow, puzzled as to why a freight vehicle would be on this road at this hour. Still, he didn't give it much thought. Instead, he asked the driver to slam on the accelerator and sped toward the hospital.By the time Ivan and Josh rushed into the hospital, Jessica was lying com