Ever since I had lost my sight in a car accident a year ago, I felt something was off at home.

Even though the only ones living in our home were me and Willy, I could always sense the presence of a stranger.

Willy said it was just my imagination and I believed him.

Until one day, I unexpectedly regained my sight and discovered that another woman had already moved into our home. She was Willy’s true love and her belly was already heavily swollen.

“Willy, when will you divorce that blind woman? I don’t care about the title, but the baby needs a legitimate identity!”

“My dear, soon, soon. Just be patient a little longer…”

Watching them kiss so passionately, my heart turned to ashes.

It’s time to end this.

I decided to fake my death and disappear completely from his world.

——

While in the bathroom, I accidentally slipped and unexpectedly discovered that I had regained my sight.

Hanging on the wall was a bathrobe belonging to a strange woman, the sink was cluttered with unfamiliar women’s cosmetics and the trash can held several used condoms.

I was stunned. Was I dreaming?

Before I could collect myself, footsteps sounded outside the door.

Voices, deliberately hushed, followed.

“Elena, make sure not to make any noise when you come in!”

“It’s so late; that blind woman must already be asleep. No need to be so cautious!”

As I stepped out of the bathroom, Willy pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing me, he looked visibly uneasy. "Honey, you're still awake?"

I clenched my fingertips tightly, forcing a calm facade and widened my blank, sightless eyes. "I napped too long this afternoon, so I’m not tired!"

Elena clung to Willy’s arm affectionately, deliberately rising on tiptoe to bite his Adam’s apple and kiss the corner of his lips while he spoke.

Willy, his breathing quickening, couldn’t resist. He picked her up and set her on the shoe cabinet, silently lifting her skirt.

Elena looked over Willy’s shoulder at me, her eyes filled with smugness and disdain.

She whispered softly into Willy's ear, "This is so thrilling, I love it! We've never tried doing it in front of her before..."

Willy quickly covered her mouth, signaling her to keep quiet.

The two of them kissed fervently, as if performing a silent play.

Despair gripped my heart like a suffocating vine. Swallowing the piercing pain, I asked softly, "Willy, why aren’t you saying anything?"

He reluctantly pulled away from Elena’s passionate kiss, his voice hoarse as he replied, "I’m a little tired. I want to take a shower first. You should go to bed."

As he spoke, he carried Elena and slipped into the bathroom.

In his haste, he bumped into my shoulder without even noticing. Elena casually flipped her hair, the tips brushing against my cheek with perfect precision.

I felt as though I had fallen into an icy abyss, my hands and feet turning cold in an instant.

The sound of running water couldn’t completely drown out the joyous moans of the two inside.

“Be gentler, gentler... I’m still carrying the baby…”

"Keep your voice down!"

A wave of nausea hit me hard. Stumbling, I rushed toward the master bedroom's bathroom, but as I passed through the living room, I noticed even more traces of Elena.

The green plants on the balcony, my hand-drawn sketches and the Disney limited-edition set I spent years collecting—all were gone.

In their place were a treadmill, a white rocking chair and various little ornaments.

Even the giant wedding photo on the wall had been replaced with one of Willy and Elena.

I was supposed to be the mistress of this home, yet I felt like an unwelcome intruder.

A fire ignited in my chest, burning so fiercely that I couldn’t stop myself from trembling.

My stomach was completely empty, leaving me dry-heaving. My face was damp, though I couldn’t tell if it was from cold sweat or tears.

It was a long while before Willy and Elena finally emerged from the bathroom.

Willy only noticed me slumped beside the toilet when he entered the bedroom to grab his pajamas.

"Honey, what's wrong? Is your stomach bothering you?"

His face was filled with worry, his concern seemingly genuine.

Just moments ago, he had been intimate with another woman, yet now he could seamlessly return to playing the role of a gentle and caring husband.

His acting skills were truly remarkable.

"Maybe I ate something that wasn’t clean. I’ll feel better once I throw up," I said weakly.

I tried to stand, but Willy rushed over to help me. I subtly sidestepped, avoiding his touch.

He had just been with another woman and I couldn’t bear to have him near me.

"Honey, are you sure you're okay? Do you want to go to the hospital?"

"No need!"

Just as I lay down on the bed, Elena appeared outside the open bedroom door.

With a playful flick of her finger, she hooked Willy’s underwear, sending him a seductive glance and whispering in a soft, breathy voice, "It’s dirty, let the blind woman wash it."

Willy frowned, signaling for her to just toss it in the washing machine.

"Can underwear be washed in the washing machine? It has to be hand-washed! I’m not your wife, so I’m not washing this!"

After Elena finished speaking, she casually tossed the underwear in the air, swaying her slender waist as she walked out.

The underwear landed perfectly on my feet.

Another wave of nausea rose in my stomach, but my voice was surprisingly calm as I asked, "What’s this? Did you throw it?"

"Oh, I accidentally dropped a rag!"

Willy hurriedly bent down and picked up the underwear.

At that moment, the sound of piano music suddenly filled the study and Willy’s expression immediately froze.

The piano was temporarily placed in our home by a friend. Neither Willy nor I could play and it had never been touched.

Elena couldn't resist showing off, deliberately trying to make Willy nervous.

I asked, confused, "Honey, is there someone else in the house?"

"No, no! It’s just my alarm going off. I still have some work to handle, so I’ll head to the study!"

He rushed out, but somehow tripped on the carpet and ended up falling flat on his face, like a dog tumbling over.

I didn't move an inch, only asking him symbolically if he was in pain.

He rubbed his chin and sat up, looking aggrieved. "Honey, do you not love me anymore? Back when I got hurt, you would always hug me and feel sorry for me..."

With someone like him, what right did he have to talk about love? What right did he have to ask for sympathy?

When he had nothing—no money, no prospects—I ignored my family's objections, gave up all my assets and married him. I even borrowed money from every friend I knew to support his business.

I loved him deeply and considered him my entire world.

But what did I get in return?

Not only did he bring his "lover" into our home, but he also got her pregnant right in front of my eyes.

He treated me like a fool. Why should I still love him?

Now, all I feel for him was hatred. I could hardly resist the urge to kill him with my own hands.

"I threw up too much earlier, I don't have any strength left," I muttered weakly.

"I was just joking, don't take it seriously! I'll get you some warm water to rinse your mouth, then you can rest! Wait for me!"

Minutes passed, yet he still hadn't returned.

He must have gotten caught up with Elena again.

As my strength returned, I stood up to go to the living room for some water.

Willy and Elena were sitting on the sofa, practically glued together, whispering and laughing. As I walked past them, they quieted down, pretending to be innocent.

"Honey, I'm sorry, I just took a call and forgot to get you some water."

"It's fine, I can manage."

Maybe worried that I was upset with him, he gently pushed Elena aside and walked over, taking my hand.

"I've been so busy lately, neglecting you. You're not upset, are you?"

Before I could respond, a sharp sound echoed.

Willy was too close to me and Elena, jealous, immediately smashed the ceramic doll my grandmother had made by hand.

I was so angry that my eyes turned red and my voice trembled slightly. "What was that noise?"

Willy thought I was frightened and quickly explained, "The window wasn't closed and a gust of wind blew in. The cup wasn't placed properly and fell on the floor."

His face turned pale and he shot an angry glance at Elena.

Elena smiled charmingly and casually blew him a kiss.

Just thinking about how, over the past year, they had been flirting right under my nose like this made me feel like I was being thrown into a fire, the pain so intense that I could hardly breathe.

Endless rage consumed my rationality and I was on the verge of breaking down.

Willy spoke gently, "I'll clean up here. You go to bed first."

I stared at the broken pieces on the floor, swallowing the tears that were about to spill from my eyes.

A deep bitterness ran down my throat, filling my entire being.

When Willy and I first got together, he had confessed about Elena's existence.

He even said that first love was something to be cherished, but he would never rekindle it with Elena, or else he'd be struck by thunder and die a miserable death.

His vows were so heavy and I was deeply moved by his unwavering determination.

Now, looking back, our five-year relationship was nothing but a joke, an absurd farce.

"The condom is used up, go buy some!" Elena's soft voice came through the door.

She did it on purpose.

Perhaps tired of being bothered by Elena, or thinking I was deeply asleep, Willy didn't remind her to lower her voice anymore.

"You really are a little tormenting devil, still so energetic even while pregnant. Wait for me, I'll be right back!"

The sound of the door lock "clicking" echoed.

Willy left.

Elena hummed a little tune as she walked around the living room for a while, then suddenly pushed open the bedroom door and walked in.

I pretended to be asleep with my back facing the door.

Warm breath brushed against my ear as she whispered, “You fool, how have you not noticed my presence yet? If you keep this up, how can I be with Willy openly? If I were you, being blind and all, I would have smartly divorced Willy by now. Do you know you're dragging him down? Our friends all advised him to divorce, but he refused. Don't get cocky. He hasn’t divorced you not because he loves you, but because he pities you!"

She signed and continued, "If you had died in that car accident, it would have been so much better. Willy and I wouldn't have to be so secretive. Unfortunately, I didn't pick the right person. That person was too cowardly and didn't dare to finish you off..."

Her words struck my mind like a thunderclap. For a moment, it was as if I couldn't hear anything. It turned out that the car accident wasn't an accident. It was Elena who wanted to kill me.

Willy shouted Elena's name from outside and she cursed under her breath before getting up and leaving.

"Who told you to go into the master bedroom? What were you doing there?" Willy's voice was like it was holding back boundless rage.

"Willy, I saw the door wasn't closed properly, so I kindly helped her shut it. I just happened to see her kicking the blanket, so I covered her up."

I didn't know if Willy believed her, but he didn't say anything else.

I stared at the ceiling and tears poured out like a flood that had been released from a dam, soaking the pillow.

In this dirty home, every minute felt like torture to me.

That night, it was as if I died once.

As the sky brightened, Willy got up to make breakfast. He made my favorite sandwich and freshly squeezed soy milk.

I sat at the table and as soon as I saw how Elena clung to Willy, I immediately lost my appetite.

Noticing that I barely ate a bite of the sandwich and put it down, Willy asked with concern, "Are you still feeling unwell?"