Chapter 3

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 kiss to Alison's forehead.

"Something came up at work," he murmured. "I'll be in the study for a bit. Don't wait up."

Then he left quickly.

Alison lay still, staring up at the stark white ceiling.

Maybe, deep down, Ivan had already accepted that her eyes would never recover. That's why he no longer bothered hiding anything. That's why he acted without restraint or shame.

She sat up and quietly made her way downstairs. The living room was empty. From a bedroom on the right came soft, playful sounds and laughter of a man and a woman.

"Jessica, are you crazy? Alison isn't even asleep, and you're already trying to seduce me?"

"And yet, here you are."

The door hadn't fully closed. Through the crack, Alison saw them wrapped around each other on the bed. The room was done up in soft pinks, stylish and lived-in. At least a year, she guessed.

So the happy little family she thought she had… had included a fourth person all along.

Ivan had settled both his wife and mistress under the same roof. The first half of the night was for Alison. The second half, he slipped downstairs—to what? To his "real" home? To Jessica?

How thrilling it must be.

Alison pressed her hand over her mouth, stifling the scream trying to claw its way out. When she turned around, she ran straight into the night-shift housekeeper.

"Madam? What are you doing down here?"

Before she could answer, the bedroom door flew open. Ivan stumbled out, shirt half-buttoned, hair a mess, face pale with panic.

Behind him trailed Jessica, arms wrapped around his waist, her hands roaming freely over his body.

Ivan shoved her back into the bedroom, then hurried over.

"Alison, did you… hear anything just now?"

Alison clenched her fists so tightly that her nails pierced her palms. The pain was the only thing stopping her from slapping him across the face.

"No," she said calmly. "I was just thirsty. Came down to get a glass of water."

Ivan visibly relaxed. "I left a glass for you on the nightstand. Why come down yourself? It's dangerous."

He guided her back to the bedroom, fussing like nothing had happened.

Some time later, he called out softly, "Alison?"

She didn't respond.

Assuming she'd fallen asleep, he stood.

Just then, the bedroom door creaked open.

His voice dropped to a whisper, but she could still hear him.

"What are you doing up here? Go back down."

Then came Jessica's sultry reply, "You left me hanging earlier… I just had to come find you, Master."

There was a pause, then the rustle of clothing, followed by Ivan's voice, low and strained. "Downstairs."

"No," she said. "Let's do it here. She's blind. She can't see anything. That makes it even more exciting, doesn't it?"

The only response was the sound of his heavy and ragged breathing.

In the darkness, two bodies collapsed onto the sofa on her side of the room, limbs entwined.

Alison lay still, eyes open. Tears slid silently down her cheeks as she bit her lip, holding the sobs in.

In the black quiet of night, she saw everything.

Right before she pulled the blanket over her head, her eyes landed on the cup of water Ivan had left for her on the nightstand.

It had gone cold… just like her heart.

'Ivan, I'll make sure the rest of your life is pure hell,' she swore silently to herself.