"What? No way!" Tyler sputtered, waving his hands.

"What's the problem?" I pressed. "You said you'd do anything for Karl. Backing out already?"

He forced a stiff grin, his teeth practically grinding. "I'd do anything for him. It's just..."

I didn't let him finish. "Great. I'll find the doctor to book your surgery right away."

I took one step toward the door before he yanked me back. "If I go blind, who's gonna put food on the table? We need to think this through."

I spun to Karl. "I wanted to help, but I couldn't. Your dad is just flat-out refusing. If you're pissed, take it up with him."

"Let's go home for now," Karl muttered. "We'll deal with the surgery later."

Tyler jumped on it. "Yeah, you two handle the discharge papers. I gotta talk to Matteo."

I watched him scurry off, no doubt rushing to soothe Rachel in the next room. I slipped out after him, keeping to the shadows.

"Rachel, hang tight," Tyler whispered. "Stephanie's got some health issues. She can't donate yet."

Rachel collapsed into his arms, sobbing. "I can't take it, Tyler. I'll never see your sweet smile or Karl's goofy grin again."

"Your eyes are too gorgeous to stay dark," he cooed, stroking her hair. "I'll make sure Stephanie signs that donation form."

"But if she goes blind, won't I be the villain?" Rachel muttered.

"You're a rising star in the art world," Tyler said with a smug chuckle. "Her corneas helping you create masterpieces? That's her damn privilege."

I nearly laughed out loud at his audacity. I'd like to see what other tricks they'd pull.

Back home, Tyler dragged Karl into the study for a private chat.

I plopped onto the couch and opened the surveillance app on my phone. That morning, I'd paid a guy to install hidden cameras all over the house that morning. Now every corner was under my watch.

In the study, Karl tore off his fake bandages, his face red with frustration. "What now, Dad? I can't keep playing blind forever."

Tyler's jaw tightened. "Keep up the act. Mope around, throw tantrums, and act like your life's over. Make your mom feel sorry. She'll scramble to fix her hepatitis and donate those corneas. You'll just have to suck it up for a while."

Karl nodded. "Anything for Rachel."

His words hit like a punch. I had raised nothing but a traitor.

I'd cooked his meals, bought him clothes, and driven him to training classes, hoping he would shine one day. But now, he was plotting against me for another woman.

The next day, Karl leaned into his role. He turned sullen, barely speaking, and started smashing things. By day three, he'd locked himself in his room, screaming he'd starve himself to death.

I didn't flinch. Instead, I dialed up the fanciest hotel in town and ordered a spread fit for royalty.

I was starving, and this way, I didn't have to cook for that ungrateful brat. We'd see who could hold out longer.

The aroma of sizzling steak and garlic butter woke Karl.

He hadn't eaten anything, but his stomach was roaring. He flung open his door and froze at the sight of me tearing into a lobster tail with one hand and a king crab leg with the other.

The dining table groaned under a feast of gourmet dishes.

"My life's falling apart, and you're stuffing your face?" Karl roared, his voice cracking with hunger as he swallowed hard. "Doesn't my pain mean anything to you?"

I dropped the crab leg with a satisfying clunk and fixed him with a cold stare. "How do you know I'm eating?"

Karl stiffened, his hand darting to his eyes. "I-I smelled it."

Then he lost it, sweeping his arms across the table, sending plates and food crashing to the floor. He grabbed a kitchen knife, waving it like a maniac. "I don't wanna be blind! What's the point of living? I'd rather die!"

The blade slashed through the air, catching my arm. Blood gushed as I stared at the mess—shattered dishes, spilled food, and my arm dripping red.

I stepped toward him, and he flinched. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

That night, when Tyler walked in, he was stunned by the scene. "What the heck happened?"

"Honey, you're home," I said with a sugary smile, rising from the couch.

Tyler gaped at Karl, who was tied up with extension cords. His face was bruised and swollen; he was barely conscious.

"What's going on? Why's he tied up like this?" Tyler demanded.

Karl wailed, "Dad, help me! Mom tried to kill me."

I snatched a broom and swung it, the bristles whistling through the air. Karl yelped, and I stuffed a sweaty gym sock in his mouth to shut him up. His screams turned to muffled whimpers.

"Look at him, Tyler," I said, my voice dripping with mock sorrow. "He's blind because we let him run wild. If we don't get a handle on him now, he'll end up dead in a ditch."

Tyler reached for the cords, but I grabbed his arm. "You wanna ruin him for good? We've been too soft, and look where it got us. I'm taking charge of his discipline. I've called Willow Academy, and they're sending someone to pick him up. They've got blind instructors to help him adjust."

Willow Academy was infamous for its brutal methods. Electroshock therapy was their specialty.

Before Tyler could argue, the doorbell rang. Staff from the academy stormed in, grabbed Karl, and hauled him into a van.

Several staff members stormed in, grabbed Karl, and hauled him into a van.

"Dad, save me!" Karl screamed.

"He is just a kid. He doesn't need that kind of place," Tyler protested.

"Well then, I'll call my dad and tell him you're quitting your job to stay home and play full-time dad," I said.

Tyler was a vice president at my dad's company, a position he'd kissed ass for years to get. No way he'd trade it for housework.

"You're right. He needs tough love," Tyler quickly backpedaled. "I'm with you."

This man was spineless. When his interests were on the line, he'd throw anyone under the bus, Karl included.

Just then, my assistant called, "Madam, we've got an emergency. A contract's screwed up, and we need you here immediately."

I'd been stuck at home for days, and the company was probably a dumpster fire. Tyler, thrilled to get rid of me, practically shoved me out the door.

At the office, Sarah handed me the contract and a glass of water. "Sorry to drag you in so late, Madam."

"No worries. The company's my priority," I said, chugging the water.

My throat was raw from sparring with those two vipers.

Sarah slipped out, shutting the door softly. Curious about Tyler's next move, I pulled up the surveillance app on my phone.

A woman in a white dress floated into view ten minutes after I left. It was none other than Rachel. She and Tyler shared a passionate kiss in our house.

"What about Karl?" Rachel murmured, her voice tinged with worry. "Willow Academy's a nightmare. He can't handle that."

"This plan is falling apart," Tyler sighed. "I gotta move faster."

"How else can we get her to donate willingly?" she said.

Tyler lit a cigarette. "A dead woman can't say no. I paid off her assistant. Sarah just texted that she had spiked Stephanie's water with enough drugs to knock out an elephant. All we gotta do is get her to the hospital. Matteo is already waiting."

My heart stopped. I stared at the empty glass on my desk, my head spinning like a carnival ride.

"I can't pass out. Not now," I groaned.

The room was fading fast, and I was teetering on the edge of consciousness.

Then a knock came at the door, followed by Tyler's voice, smooth and slimy. "Honey, you in there? Just checking on you."