Chapter 12 · Blind Brother Held My Urn

Chapter 12

Mia replied, "Because they want to erase Luna, like she never existed. Not a single trace left behind."If you try to fight back, they'll call you a fraud. You say there was a basement, pill bottles, a notebook, but now, there's nothing left, no evidence at all."Ethan sat in the darkness. For him, the world had always been black.But this darkness was different. It felt heavy, like it was pressing down on him."Mia," Ethan murmured."Yes," Mia replied."There's one thing of Luna's they couldn't take away," Ethan said."What is it?" Mia asked.Ethan fished a piece of paper out from his inside pocket. It was folded into quarters, the edges all wrinkled and worn."Before she died, she put this into my hand. She told me to keep this safe. It was the last thing she gave me,'" he said."What paper?" Mia asked.Ethan replied, "I can't see it. I've never shown it to anyone.""Wait for me. I'm coming over right now," Mia said.Half an hour later, Mia sat across from Ethan, carefully unfolding the paper.It turned out to be a form. The top bore the letterhead of Eastside General Hospital.The title read, "Cornea Donation Intent Form."My name, ID number, and signature filled the donor section.In the designated recipient section, Mia spotted two names.The first, written in black ink, was Ethan Jones. My handwriting, unmistakable to Mia.But that name had been struck through with a straight line.Above it, in a different handwriting and blue ballpoint pen, was another name. It was Grace Clark.Mia's hands started to shake. She stared at the paper for a long time.The first name, "Ethan Jones," was written by me. My handwriting was clear and steady.The line crossing out "Ethan Jones" and the name "Grace Clark" above it were both written with the same blue ballpoint pen. It wasn't my handwriting.Mia carefully placed the paper back into Ethan's hands.Her voice was so low, as if she were afraid of something.Mia whispered, "Ethan, Luna originally intended her corneas for you."Ethan's fingers traced the paper, feeling the indentations of the two lines. The first was deep and clear, the second lighter and messier."Did someone cross out my name?" he asked."Yes," Mia replied."Who did they put in my place?" Ethan asked.Mia closed her eyes for a moment and replied, "Grace Clark."Ethan's fingers lingered on the indentation, unmoving for a long time."Luna's corneas were supposed to be mine?" Ethan whispered.Mia replied, "Yes.""But now they're hers?" Ethan asked.Mia replied, "Yes."Ethan folded the paper up again, four times, and tucked it back into his pocket, holding it close.He stood up and said, "Mia, take me to that hotel.""What?" Mia asked.Ethan asked, "The hotel where the party was yesterday. Is there anything happening there today?"Mia remembered. Even though the birthday party had ended yesterday, there was still an after-party at the hotel today. Derek had booked it.Grace's birthday was celebrated over two days.The first was the formal party, and the second was a private gathering for her inner circle, about thirty or forty people.Mia asked, "What are you planning to do?"Ethan grabbed his coat and replied, "I'm not going there to make trouble. I want to ask him one question."Mia looked at him and asked, "What is it?""I want to ask Derek if he knows whose eyes his woman has," Ethan said.Mia grabbed her car keys.On the second floor of the hotel, the private party was underway.There weren't many people, only over thirty people, all from the inner circle.Grace had slipped into a white dress, her hair down, and her smile was noticeably more relaxed than yesterday, less tense, more comfortable.She was chatting with a few female friends, her arm hooked around Derek's.Vivian lounged on a sofa in the corner, legs crossed, video chatting with two old friends, keeping her voice low so she wouldn't bother anyone.Oliver stood by the bar. He'd brought the copper lock with him today, hoping to hand it over to Derek.But after scanning the room, he couldn't find the right moment.A commotion erupted at the entrance.The greeter said, "Sorry, this is a private event. You can't come in without an invitation."Mia spoke up, her voice low but firm, "He's not here for the event. He wants to say one thing."Then Ethan said, "I'm Luna's brother. Luna was Derek's wife. She's dead. I'm here to return the last thing she left behind."Everyone in the banquet hall turned to look at the entrance.Derek set his glass down, and Vivian stood up from the sofa.Grace's fingers tightened around the hem of her dress.Ethan walked in, supported by Mia.

Chapter 12