A Debt Paid in Sightless Tears

On the day of my wedding to Alessio, his lover, Sofia, was critically injured in what was framed as an assassination attempt.

Alessio called off the wedding on the spot.

"Only you and I knew the security route for the wedding. How could you leak it? How could you put Sofia in danger?"

My friends and family condemned me as a traitor.

I tried to carve out my own heart with a letter opener to prove my innocence.

Alessio's men swarmed me, pinning me to the ground.

That very day, I was exiled to the family's isolated estate on an island in Lake Michigan for five years of brutal "rehabilitation."

When I was finally released, Alessio clutched the medical report confirming my "accidental" and permanent blindness, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"Isabella, the Council of Elders has approved our marriage. We can finally be wed."

Sofia sobbed quietly beside him.

"It's all my fault Alessio worries so much. Now that I'm better, I… I have to learn to let go."

They thought I couldn't see them holding hands behind their backs, their fingers intertwined.

They had no idea my blindness was a lie.

Five years. I would make them pay in blood.

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1

Sofia's fingers gently traced the curve of Alessio's brow.

"If this is all we're ever meant to have, then let this moment last forever."

A bitter smile touched her lips as a single tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek before she abruptly pressed her lips to Alessio's.

But just as suddenly, she pulled away, her eyes darting around frantically, her face a mask of terror.

Panic seized Alessio, and he pulled her into his protective embrace.

"Sofia, what's wrong? I thought your PTSD was getting better."

Sofia's best friend, Elena, stood nearby, her eyes red-rimmed.

"What do you mean, getting better? The doctor clearly said—"

Before she could finish, Sofia cut her off sharply.

"That's enough, Elena. Don't say any more."

"This is my punishment… for keeping you and Isabella apart all these years. I deserve it."

Seeing Sofia, so stoic and stubborn, made Alessio's heart ache.

"Let her speak. What is going on?"

Her friend took a deep breath and revealed the so-called truth.

"Sofia, stop hiding it. The doctor said your PTSD could relapse at any time. It can never be completely cured!"

Sofia shook her head frantically.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He turned to me, his expression grim. "Isabella, I will marry you. But I can't abandon Sofia. I have to protect her—I'll protect her with my life."

Alessio kissed Sofia again, this time roughly, as if punishing her for her dishonesty.

I could even hear their ragged, breathless sighs.

I'm only blind, not deaf.

Then again, even when I had my sight, Alessio never gave a damn about my feelings.

Just like that day, after our wedding was called off, when he had furiously screamed at me, "Why wasn't it you who got shot?"

"Of course. I have no objection."

My answer seemed to satisfy him.

"You've certainly learned some obedience in these past five years."

My sunglasses reflected their tangled forms. After a muffled gasp, Sofia finally pulled away, her face flushed.

"I got a little too excited and couldn't catch my breath."

Hearing her excuse, I sneered inwardly.

And he fell for such a clumsy act.

But back then, when I had been screaming for help, my body a canvas of bruises and cuts, he had called me defiant and untamed.

Such is the difference between being loved and being tolerated.

But I didn't care. I hadn't clawed my way out of hell for his trust.

Sofia moved into the house, openly and without shame.

After five years, the password to the master bedroom had been changed from my birthday to hers.

The worn cushions of the sofa told me everything I needed to know about their wild nights over the past five years.

That night, however, a strange sound drifted from my room.

"She's asleep."

It was followed by the rustle of clothing and the suppressed moans of passion.

The absolute nerve. Did they really have to do it in my room?

At the height of their passion, Alessio bit Sofia's ear.

"Keep it down. You'll wake her."

The sound of their ragged, desperate gasps was driving me insane. Unable to bear it, I pretended to wake from a nightmare, fumbled for my white cane, and swung it wildly in their direction.

The two of them froze. Alessio hissed at Sofia to get out.

In her haste, Sofia knocked over a crystal glass, shattering it on the floor. Alessio spoke, his voice strained.

"A cat ran in."

The next morning, Alessio held me tenderly.

"Isabella, it's been a long time since we've been like this, hasn't it?"

Then, a flurry of kisses landed on my neck.

He kissed me absently, his eyes darting to the antique clock on the wall every few seconds.

Since I was blind, he didn't even bother to hide his distraction.

I knew what he was waiting for.

So I played along.

After half an hour, I shoved him off me.

"I need to go to the Council meeting."

He glanced at the time, sighed in relief, and finally let me go.

"I'll take you."