Sean had always been a sweet talker.
When I was blind, he would get jealous when others tried to help me. He was extremely possessive.
"I was only trying to ask directions."
"No. You have me. You don't need any other men. I'll always be by your side."
How hypocritical. Yet I still fell for his sweet words for the past two years.
At that moment, all I felt was contempt. If he had truly loved me, would he have treated me as a sick joke for two whole years?
Sean buried his face in my neck. "Rachel, I've picked out our house. I got them to install bars for the blind, too. Once we get married, let's move in."
I looked at the red marks on his neck. I nodded mischievously and said, "Sure, we'll get married and move in soon."
Sean was elated. He hugged me tighter, repeatedly murmuring, "I love you, honey."
I lied to him. I had already handed in my application to return to the research team. I will completely vanish from Sean's life in less than three days.
I wanted him to have a taste of his medicine. I wanted him to see what it felt like to be played like a fool.
More importantly, I wanted to go back to who I was in the past.
The next day, Sean fed me breakfast caringly as usual. However, simultaneously, he was exchanging dirty texts with Vivian.
It hurt my eyes and also my heart.
After breakfast, he took me to the company, the one that he started for me two years ago. He brought me here once every week to treat my eyes.
He carefully helped me inside. The medical staff were touched by his care for me.
"Mr. Sherman is so caring toward you, Ms. Todd. I heard that he gave up his career in research for you. He even went into the medical business. You are truly important to him."
Sean smiled and said, "I love Rachel. I'd do anything for her."
Yet, when I saw the company logo, I was so disgusted I was at a loss for words.
Viv Medical.
It was clear who he founded this company for!
Sean took me to the consultation room before leaving. I was still overwhelmed with contempt and resentment.
Two years ago, Sean gave up his career for me. His friends secretly called me a burden to Sean behind my back.
His mother reprimanded me, too. "Just because you've become blind, Sean had to give up everything for you. He even started a medical company for you. Will you continue burdening him for the rest of your life?"
I loved Sean, so I took in all the insults and criticism.
When they told me to leave Sean, I would always show them the proof of Sean's love for me—the medical company—to shut them up.
When I finally saw the company's name, I realized how big of a joke I must have been to them!
I could not stop the nausea from coming over me. I suddenly stood up and ran outside.
The moment I was outside, I heard two people flirting next door.
"Why did you bring this with you?"
"Well, I can't use it with her. I don't want it to go to waste."
"Tsk, we were in bed for so long last night. You want it again now? You're always like this when you bring her for treatment…"
I did not continue listening to the conversation. I frantically fled the scene.
I received a call from the realtor when I was by the entrance. "Ms. Todd, are you looking to sell your place? I noticed you wrote that you want it sold in three days? That's so soon."
"It's urgent. Please get it done as soon as possible," I said with determination.
I had only regained my eyesight for a day, but my emotions were in a mess.
I took a taxi home and quickly prepared all the documents I needed to bring to the research team.
When I was blind, I thought about how I would not regret anything at all, giving everything up for Sean.
At that moment, I found it highly absurd that I would ever think that way.
When I had finished organizing my documents, Sean anxiously returned home.
"Rachel, where have you been? I was worried sick! How did you come home without me? You frightened me," Sean said with a trembling voice as he hugged me tightly.
It looked like he had been really worried.
I snickered silently; I did not show it on my face. "I couldn't find you, so I tried to take a taxi home. Where were you?"
"I had some work to do, so I headed upstairs. Did you come looking for me?"
"Hmm. I couldn't find you, so I came home. I won't do it again," I said calmly.
Sean seemed panicky. He was not sure if I heard him fooling around with Vivian. After all, they were pretty loud.
I pretended not to have noticed his expression. He was nervous the entire night, but I said nothing.
Everyone knew that I loved him, so if I ever found out that he had been cheating on me, a huge argument would ensue.
He observed me for the entire night. When he saw no other noticeable reaction from me, he was assured that I must not have found out anything.
The following two days, Sean and Vivian had fewer interactions. He would return home after work on time. After dinner, he would accompany me on a walk. Then, he would spend our evenings on the couch watching TV with me.
Life seemed to have returned to two years ago when I first lost my eyesight.
On the morning of my departure, Sean got up early because I wanted breakfast.
I was a little swayed when I saw him busy in the kitchen. I had loved him for many years, giving up my reputation and career for him. It would take some time to cut him off from my life completely.
I looked at him with a complicated gaze when his phone next to me suddenly beeped.
I saw the message from Vivian.
[I'm pregnant.]
My heart sank. Sean quickly came out of the kitchen. He looked aghast when he saw the message.
I looked at him closely. I wanted to give him a chance to come clean. If he told me the truth, I would tell him about my eyesight.
However, he did not. He lied and said it was a work message before heading back to the kitchen.
It made me feel like a complete idiot.
When Vivian came looking for him, she looked terrible. I did not know what Sean had said, but she started sobbing.
"Tell me the truth—have you fallen for Rachel? You said that you were just fooling around with her. Have you fallen for her because she lost her eyesight?"
Vivian was crying, but Sean looked at her coldly.
"I told you that I would take care of her."
"Why? You don't love her. Would she still love you if she found out that you weren't performing the experiment but flirting with me in the explosion?"
A metaphorical bomb exploded in my mind.
I watched them conversing in sign language. My mind was instantly buzzing. I clenched my fists tightly.
What did she mean by that? Sean was with Vivian? Were they not performing the experiment? Instead, they were fooling around in the lab?
Yet, I had stupidly risked my life for him, getting hurt in the process? Not to mention being insulted and called a burden for the following two years! There I was, feeling good about myself!
Sean finally caved in. He walked to the couch and said to me gently, "Rachel, something came up in the office. I have to go. I'll return soon."
He caressed my head.
He seemed so devoted when he looked at me—I wanted to slap him, but I held back.
I could not control my trembling hands. I shook my head and said, "I'm fine. Go. I... I'll… I'll wait for you to come home."
Then, Sean and Vivian left. I packed up my belongings and met with the realtor.
"Throw away all my things. As for his stuff… This is Sean's number. You can contact him."
Then, I tossed my SIM card and blocked Sean from contacting me before boarding the flight.
Before the plane took off, I chuckled sarcastically. "Sean Sherman, we're done."
Not long after the plane took off, Sean received a message from the realtor asking about what to do with his belongings since the apartment would be sold.
Sean initially thought it was a scam call. He had taken Vivian to the hospital for a check-up and bumped into my doctor.
"Mr. Sherman. It's been a while. How's Rachel? I haven't seen her in three days after her treatment. Technically, she should come back to the hospital for a check-up."
"A check-up? For what?" Sean stopped in his tracks.
The doctor replied, "For her eyes. She regained her eyesight three days ago under our new treatment. She should still be kept under observation for the next few days. Didn't she tell you about it?"
