Chapter 4
Heartache numbing me, I set the phone aside and curled up in bed.
Neil woke up half-awake, saw me tossing and turning, and figured I was still jealous.
He was losing patience, but after a deep breath, he softened his tone. "Cheer up, Audrey. I'll take you shopping tomorrow, and on your birthday, I've got a big surprise for you."
I was done with him, but before heading home, I still wanted to pick up some gifts for my family.
Having Neil with me wasn't so bad. It'd save me a lot of hassle.
I could just take it as the full stop to nearly a decade of love with Neil.
Therefore, I gave a small smile and nodded in agreement.
At the mall, Neil frowned slightly as he looked at the items I was picking out.
"Audrey, why are you just grabbing food and these awful clothes?" he said.
I kept browsing at my own pace, shopping bags in hand.
"It's been a while since I last saw my parents. I just want to get them something to send back," I replied.
Neil looked disapproving, and he was about to say something when a coquettish female voice cut him off. "Mr. Jenkins, fancy seeing you here."
I turned to see Brianna, rocking an elegant outfit, her arms stacked with luxury shopping bags.
Neil's face visibly lit up when he saw Brianna all made up.
Brianna strutted right up, slipped her arm through Neil's, and planted a silent kiss on his lips.
When the kiss finally ended, she pretended to notice me and gasped in surprise. "Oh wow, I didn't even see you here, Audrey.
"Sorry, Audrey, but your outfit is so old-school. I actually thought you were just someone passing by."
She said it all without batting an eye, not a trace of guilt on her face.
I shook my head, showing them I was utterly indifferent.
Having already resolved to break up with Neil, I no longer cared how they behaved in front of me.
I went back to picking out stuff by myself.
My mom's skin was sensitive, so any sweater I chose had to be soft and gentle.
Brianna started her drama again.
She put on an exaggerated show, clutching her forehead like she might pass out any second.
Neil immediately dropped what he was holding and swept her into his arms. "What's wrong, Brianna? Are you feeling unwell?"
Brianna slumped against Neil's shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper, but she still tried to put on a brave face and shook her head.
"Nothing. It's probably just low blood sugar," Brianna murmured. "Go ahead and keep shopping with Audrey. I'll be fine after a little rest."
Neil's face was full of concern and tenderness as he looked at Brianna, feeling sorry for her.
Without another word, Neil swept Brianna up in his arms and walked off quickly, giving me just one curt sentence. "I'm taking Brianna to the hospital. Finish your shopping and head home on your own."
I just nodded, totally unfazed, but a nearby girl couldn't take it anymore.
She blocked Neil's path, her tone sharp with outrage. "Sir, if I heard correctly, isn't this your girlfriend?
"It seems that she can't see. And you're seriously ditching her here to run off with another woman."
Neil shot her a fierce glare. "Trust me, she's been blind for years; she knows her way home. Just stay out of it."
He brushed past her and hurried off.
I watched the whole scene in silence, and it made me smirk.
I'd been blind for years and could still read the smugness in Brianna's eyes. Yet Neil, perfectly sighted, couldn't see it at all.
The girl's face burned red with rage as she edged closer to me.
"Um, you know what? They just—" she said, sounding hesitant.
I gave her a soft smile and looked at her kindly. "I know. I caught every bit of it."
The girl, her face still somewhat naive, was clearly shocked.
"You can see," she said, her eyes wide.
I nodded, pulled out my phone, and pointed the camera at Neil as he left.
I made my way home by myself, packed up most of my things, and sent them all back to my parents.
The flight was scheduled for my birthday.
It had been ages since I'd celebrated my birthday with my parents.
For the past few years, I'd always spent it with Neil.
Back then, he would always get me a giant birthday cake. Even though I couldn't see it, he'd talk me through every detail, making sure I could picture it in my mind.
He'd describe the white round cake, sprinkled with my favorite flowers, and he'd even have someone paint my favorite cartoon character on top.
Since I couldn't light the candles myself, he would set everything up and wait patiently for me to make my wish.
Back then, when I made my birthday wishes, Neil never even crossed my mind.
All I ever wished for was to get better and for my parents to stay healthy.
I just truly believed Neil would always be by my side.
When did things start to change?
For years, my only birthday wish was just to be happy with Neil.
Scrolling through Brianna's latest posts, I couldn't help but sneer.
There was Neil, sitting right by her bedside in the hospital, feeding her some food.
Neil let her do all that without protest, maybe even liking it.
After all, no one ever questioned what he did. Except for me, no one seemed to care.
Just as I was about to go to bed, my phone started ringing. It was from Neil's friend.
He said, "Audrey, you need to get to the hospital. Neil had a car accident."