Chapter 3

My mom immediately sensed that something was off with me.

"Sure, if you miss us, just come back. Your dad and I will get ready and come pick you up," she said. "No matter what, you'll always be our precious little girl, Audrey."

Her gentle words finally soothed the ache in my heart.

I wiped my tears. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll make my way back myself."

She was silent for a moment, clearly in disbelief. "Your eyes—"

I let out a happy laugh, my voice bubbling with joy. "Yeah, I can see now."

Hearing her choke up, unable to speak, I felt a pang of pain inside.

I was so stupid, leaving my parents behind just for Neil.

After I hung up, I booked myself a ticket to leave in three days and started packing up my stuff.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Neil.

"Work has been crazy today. I'll probably be home late, so just go to bed. Don't wait for me," he said.

In the past, I would have pouted and begged him to come home sooner.

I would keep a lamp burning, sitting on the couch, waiting endlessly until I collapsed into sleep.

Ever since I went blind, Neil had been my only support in this unfamiliar city.

Whenever he wasn't around, I'd feel scared.

However, now, just hearing his voice made me sick.

Losing my sight had sharpened my other senses to an extreme, so I could clearly hear a little hoarseness in his voice.

I knew all too well that he always sounded like that after having sex.

Maybe being so in love and relying on Neil kept me from seeing the truth.

I took a deep breath, my voice cold and distant. "Seriously, if you're that busy, just don't bother coming home."

Neil froze, not knowing how to respond.

He was used to me always clinging to him, so my sudden coldness seemed to make him both angry and embarrassed.

"Whatever, Audrey. Just stay home alone tonight," Neil said, his voice dripping with annoyance.

Neil was gone the whole night and didn't bother coming back until the next evening.

He reeked of booze as he collapsed onto the couch.

"Audrey, I drank way too much. My stomach is killing me," he groaned.

He was totally wasted, clinging to my hand.

I silently handed him a glass of water. Neil took a sip, then knocked it over, spilling it onto the floor.

"I'm feeling like crap, and you can't even make me some lemonade, huh?" he snapped.

I smiled faintly, my gaze drifting to his shirt collar.

The white shirt was smeared with glaring lipstick stains. It was like they were showing off on purpose.

Well, since I was "blind", he figured he could do whatever he wanted and never get caught.

Neil caught me staring at his collar, and for a moment, he snapped out of his drunken haze.

"Audrey, what are you staring at?" Neil said nervously.

I pursed my lips, looked away, and made my gaze go blank again.

"Nothing. I just smelled some makeup," I replied, my voice flat.

Neil let out a sigh of relief, his eyes flashing with smug sarcasm. "Come on, it's not a big deal. You don't expect only men at social events, do you?

"Things are different now. You need to be more relaxed and not get jealous over every little thing."

I nodded, pretending to fumble as I wiped the water off the floor with a tissue.

Neil, drunk, slept deeply, leaving his phone wide open on the bedside table.

I used to feel safe and sleep soundly whenever Neil was here, but tonight, I couldn't sleep at all.

I quietly got up, reached for his phone, and unlocked it. The passcode was my birthday.

A flicker of glee lit up inside me, only to be crushed within seconds.

The first thing I saw after unlocking the screen was Neil and Brianna together as his wallpaper.

They were all cuddled up, Brianna throwing up a cheeky peace sign at the camera while planting a kiss on Neil's cheek.

Neil's smile was tender, just like seven years ago, eyes overflowing with the kind of love he once reserved for me.

My hands trembled as I opened the social apps. It was filled with every detail of their time together.

Whenever Neil said he had to go on a trip, Brianna was always with him.

They went to see the sunrise over Mount Calverne, the pristine snow of Velin Lake, and many other beautiful places.

The views were stunning, and they both looked so happy and in love.

I used to ask Neil over and over when he'd finally marry me.

I was always so anxious, wishing for nothing more than for him to make me his wife.

However, Neil just kept saying he was swamped with work, that his career wasn't settled yet, and begged me to give him a little more time.

While I kept waiting day after day, hoping for a promise that never came, he and Brianna were out there, traveling all over.