I didn't tell him anything, choosing instead to show my refusal through my actions. I turned back to the bedroom, gathering my belongings for the trip abroad. Soon enough, I heard Augustus’s voice in the living room, dripping with sweet talk. It was obvious who he was speaking to.

“Khloe, I'll be back at the clinic soon. Want some grapes? Let me peel them for you and feed them to my little darling myself.”

“Want to hear a story before bed tonight? Not in the mood for a story? Then I'll sing for you. I’ll stay by your side, I’m not going anywhere, and I'll make sure you sleep peacefully.”

I paused in the midst of folding clothes, suddenly recalling the first time I learned about Khloe's existence. One night, a nightmare jolted me awake. Turning over, I realized the warmth beside me on the vast bed was gone, and from the balcony, I heard Augustus's agitated voice barking orders.

“I don’t care how much it costs, get the doctor here from Europe now! Khloe is an heir to a great tradition of tapestry weaving, and she ruined her eyesight preserving this cultural heritage. I will not allow such a talented girl to have her future destroyed.”

“Send more bodyguards to keep an eye on her. Don’t let her have any more dangerous thoughts. I’m on my way!”

I sat on the cold bed, calling after his retreating figure, “Augustus, I had a nightmare…”

He didn’t even turn around, just clicked his tongue with impatience. “Why are you being so dramatic? We have a real crisis here; we can deal with your issues later.”

So, I sat there through the night, not daring to fall asleep for fear of returning to those terrifying dreams. In the dreams, I was abandoned in a pitch-black night, endlessly chasing after a shadow I could never reach.

From that day on, the dreams seemed to seep into reality. Khloe was settled in a private clinic where Augustus held shares, attended by an expert team dedicated solely to her. Daily, he personally cared for her without fail. Even on our anniversary and my birthday, he was with Khloe.

When Khloe complained about the smell of disinfectant, Augustus bought her a villa next to the clinic, ensuring her every comfort and emotional need was met. I protested and questioned him, convinced that his actions went beyond those of normal friendship. He, however, remained unfazed, scrutinizing me with narrowed eyes.

“Seraphina, you’ve changed. You used to be generous and kind, always caring even for stray cats. Why are you now jealous of a blind woman?”

“Were you faking all that kindness? Or do you not love me at all, and by extension, dislike my sister?”

His repeated challenges to my love struck a chord as I glanced at my red, swollen hands, managing only a bitter smile. I cared for his sensitive stomach, cooking for him every day, only for him to pass it all to Khloe.

Once, Khloe realized the meal wasn’t made by the housekeeper but by me, and she ended up vomiting, claiming it was poisoned. Augustus, without discerning the truth, stormed home and submerged my hands in icy water, accusing me of being unhygienic.

With numb, swollen hands, I scrolled through memories of our love on my phone, silent tears streaming down my face when Khloe called, her voice frail and apologetic.

“Sister, I’m sorry. I didn’t know Augustus would get so angry. It’s just my stomach acting up, but he was so concerned he gave me a diamond ring as your apology. Thank you, sister, I love it.”

After the call ended, a picture arrived: her delicate hand adorned with a dazzling black diamond. Augustus had bought it at auction last week, saying it was my anniversary gift, but he had given it to Khloe instead.

Behind me, Augustus returned late and continued to scold me.

“I see Khloe only as a sister. Now that she’s lost her eyesight, as her brother, it's my duty to care for her. I spared you from worrying about these trivial matters out of concern, knowing you wouldn’t handle looking after a patient.”

He ambled over, noticing the large diamond ring on my phone screen, and sheepishly rubbed his nose.

“That ring, well, your hands are swollen and it wouldn't look good on you right now. It would be a waste if it doesn't fit, so I gave it to the young girl since she loved it.”

I took a deep breath of the stagnant air on the balcony, the chill biting. There were many questions I hadn’t voiced, knowing it would be in vain. If he truly saw her as a sister, why feed her by hand, why fasten her undergarments, why cradle Khloe to the bathroom?

I shook my head, trying to shake off the somber mood, suppressing the sharp pang in my chest as I clutched the Victorian-style nightgown I was folding. Just a month ago, I had tried to be thoughtful, baking a spiced honey cake to bring over and check on Khloe's health.

However, what I found was laughter echoing from the mansion in the Alps, where Augustus's old friends had gathered to cheer Khloe up with a party. They played games, constantly nudging Augustus and Khloe closer together.

Amid the lively music, a friend chuckled, "Augustus, remember when you were a kid and wished for Khloe to be your girlfriend? Has that wish come true now?"

Standing outside on the lawn, concealed by shadows, my body trembled as I hoped for him to clarify, to say something that would allow me to delude myself—that Augustus was just honoring an old friendship. But he didn't.

When Khloe tightened her grip on his arm, he smiled and nodded.

The room erupted in celebration, with everyone raising their glasses in a toast, urging the two to share a kiss. My blood rushed to my head in a heated fury, and I pressed the doorbell forcefully.

The door swung open to Augustus's frown. "What are you doing here? Didn't I say I wouldn’t be home tonight? Don't ruin the vibe," he muttered with disdain.

Turning back to wave off the curious glances from his friends, he shut the door on my wounded expression.

When asked who I was, he merely took a sip of red wine, his long lashes casting a shadow over his indifferent face. "Just someone asking for directions," he replied nonchalantly.

He always leaned on our childhood friendship to excuse his infidelity, constantly pressuring me to compromise. Now he expects me to donate my corneas, essentially destroying my own vision. He gradually extinguished every ounce of love I once held for him without even realizing it. I wondered, when I finally left, would he regret crossing these boundaries?

Sitting silently on the edge of the bed, I gazed at the wedding photo on the dresser, feeling a deep sadness in my heart. Augustus Hernandez strode out of the living room and knocked on my bedroom door.

"Seraphina, I'm going to tell you one last time. Khloe is blind now, and she's emotionally fragile. Don't you dare go and upset her again," he said. "I've been considerate of her to maintain my image as a successful businessman in the public eye. It's beneficial for you too, you know, if the company's brand reputation remains solid. Plus, Khloe is well-educated and an heir to heritage crafts; her partnership in my overseas clothing business is invaluable. You just sit at home all day spending money; you don't understand my hard work."

He played an audio message on his phone, letting me hear Khloe's sweet voice repeatedly apologizing, each word cutting deeper into my heart.

"You're just a housewife. Whether you have your eyes or not doesn't matter. I can always hire help to take care of you. Khloe, however, has her career and numerous opportunities for collaborations with luxury brands. How could you ruin her future?"

Listening to him endlessly praising Khloe's independence and accomplishments, he seemed to forget that my fashion designs once captivated Europe with unparalleled embroidery skills. Just one appearance at Paris Fashion Week had fashion houses clamoring for me as a designer. Yet, because he claimed his company lacked exceptional original designs, I stayed to support his budding company.

With my help, his obscure brand managed to climb the ladder. When he was nearly destroyed by plagiarism accusations from competitors, I worked tirelessly for two weeks, providing exclusive designs that saved him from bankruptcy. He once risked everything for me, and that's why I reciprocated with equal dedication and love.

During a research trip to a quaint French countryside, while trying to win over a stubborn embroiderer, I nearly fell off a cliff gathering rare flowers for dye. It was Augustus who held me tightly, his arm scraped to the bone by the rough cliff's edge. Tears streaming down, I begged him to let go, but he jokingly told me not to worry.

"Seraphina, I’d love to let you go. If you fall into the branches, maybe your injuries will make you notice me and agree to be my girlfriend. But if you hit those rocks, I’d lose my wife."

His lips were as pale as snow, sweat pouring down, yet he kept joking to divert my attention. It wasn't until dusk, when some hunters passed by, that we were rescued. With his still-functional left hand, he gently wiped away my tears.

"I was kidding earlier. Your eyes are so beautiful; how could I bear to lose them?"

Promises as grand as the ocean whispered in my ears—why did everything change? The person remained the same, yet now he claimed I didn't need my eyes and should give them to someone else.

As someone who was always emotionally reserved, fearing pain, after that incident, I became his girlfriend and helped his company soar in the fashion world. Later, when his company went public, amidst everyone's praise, he naturally took all the credit for himself. He proposed, wanting me to return to being a homemaker. He clipped my wings and then resented me for being unable to fly.

Outside, Augustus's furious knocking suddenly ceased. Khloe wanted him back at the hospital to help with her medication. After straightening his clothes, he left behind a few cutting words.

"For someone of my status, which CEO doesn't have admirers lining up? Yet I've always loved only you, and you still can't be grateful, harboring such hostility towards a girl I grew up with. Have Rory make you more chicken noodle soup these days to lift your mood, so you don’t look so bitter all the time. It's quite off-putting."

"When I come back next time, I don't want to see you in this jealous state. It's revolting."

The house fell silent. He was so accommodating to another woman, slicing my heart open and rubbing salt in the wound. The tree I helped nurture now despised me for being nothing but a clinging vine, even suggesting it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to have a few lovers.