Howard went to open the door. The second I heard the click of the lock, I froze. A woman’s perfume drifted into the room. My perfume.

I heard his voice drop to whisper, “You’re early. I told you tomorrow morning. Where’s the kid?”

“With her Nanny,” Amber said softly. “She’s fine. I… I can’t stay at that hospital another night. It’s cold there. I’m cold without you.” Her voice trembled, “I hate being away from you, even for a few hours.”

Howard’s tone shifted instantly. “Don’t start crying. You just got stitched up. Crying’s bad for you.”

I sat perfectly still on the couch, fingers brushing against the old paint stain on my sweatpants, pretending I was lost in thought about my unfinished canvas.

“Howard,” I called out, louder than necessary. “Who’s at the door?”

So we were pretending. Fine. I could pretend too.

A moment later, he brought her in. His hand found mine, warm and heavy, “This is Amber. I hired her to help you out. And to take care of the baby.”

Ah, their baby.

“She used to be my secretary,” Howard went on. “Got married last year. Had a kid. Now she’s back.” He paused like the next part was a kindness. “She’s had trouble with her eyes lately, so she knows how it is for you. Until she heals, she can help you find your way around.”

My eyes. He had the audacity to say that.

Amber stepped forward. “Nice to see you again, ma’am. I’ll be looking after everything from now on. You… and the baby.”

She leaned on that word so hard it was a dare.

I just nodded. “Thanks.”

No reaction for her to feed on. That must have annoyed her, because the next thing I heard was the wet sound of a kiss. Then another. Then the faint shuffle of fabric.

The sofa creaked. My stomach turned. I remembered the nights Howard used to pull me down on that same sofa, how my skin would break out from the rough fabric. We’d stayed up one night knitting a blanket together to cover it. I thought that had meant something.

Apparently not.

I stood without a word and made my way upstairs. My foot caught on the second step and I stumbled, landing hard in my room. I curled on the floor, my hands clutching my stomach as nausea clawed up my throat.

I gagged. Hard.

Footsteps followed. Howard’s shadow filled the doorway. “Faye. What’s wrong?” He touched my shoulder and the nausea doubled.

Then Amber’s voice, sharp with curiosity. “Wait. Are you pregnant? I thought shes on implant?”

Howard’s hand froze on me. “Faye… did you get your period this month?”

I shook my head.

“It’s always regular,” I muttered. “Probably just stress.”

He stepped back like my words burned him. “That’s… not possible. I was careful. And the doctor said…” His voice trailed. Then he straightened. “We’re going for a checkup tonight. If you are pregnant, we’ll take care of it before it’s a problem.”

Amber laughed quietly. Mean. Pleased.

So he would blind me for her child. But my child? Not allowed to exist.

“Why would it be a problem?”

He hesitated. “Because… I made a promise to someone. I said I wouldn’t have kids of my own until her daughter is grown.”

That was the best he could do.

“I’m not pregnant,” I said flatly. “Go buy a test if you’re so desperate to know. I’m going to sleep. Both of you get out.”

I heard them leave. My body sank into the mattress, heavy as stone.

I was so tired.

And this time, I didn’t even dream.

--

When I woke again, sunlight was already pushing through the curtains. My stomach grumbled, so I figured I’d head to the kitchen.

But as I walked past the guest room, I froze.

Soft moans. A man’s low voice. A woman’s breathless laugh.

Daylight. And they still had the nerve.

I felt sick. My hunger vanished. I turned back toward my bedroom, poured myself a glass of cold water, and tried to swallow the nausea.

I didn’t care to listen to whatever game they were playing. I just wanted Howard to leave so I could disappear from this house without anyone seeing.

The bedroom door opened without warning.

I stiffened. “Who is it?”

Amber’s voice came in, sing-song sweet. “It’s me, ma’am.”

My grip tightened on the glass. “What do you want?”

She stepped in like she owned the place. “Howard just changed his clothes. He’s heading to the hospital to bring the baby home. I thought I’d come see if you needed something.”

Her tone said otherwise. This was no courtesy call. She was here to poke at me, see if I’d bleed.

“I don’t need anything,” I said, turning away. “You can leave.”

She ignored me, came closer, and grabbed my wrist. Her nails bit into my skin.

“You want to know what happened on your sofa yesterday?” she said. “Or what we just finished doing in the guest room?”

She smiled like a knife. “Howard said he likes women who aren’t afraid to take risks. Not boring little birds stuck in a cage.” She leaned in, her voice dripping venom. “And the kid he’s bringing back? That’s mine. You’ll be raising my baby from now on.”

“Oh, I was never blind… I bribed the doctor to stage it. I wanted to see how far Howard would go for me. Turns out, the answer is… all the way.” She tapped the side of my face, like she was blessing me. “Your corneas, Faye. He took them for me. Not because I needed them… but because I wanted to know if he’d give me everything.”

The room went silent except for the roar in my ears.

“Now I know. You were his wedding vow. I’m his proof of love.”

I just laughed.

It startled her. “What’s so funny? Lost your mind?”

I stopped smiling and tilted my head. “Amber, you think you’re clever?”

Her breath hitched. “What are you implying?”

I stepped forward until my fingers touched her cheek. I let them linger, my smile sharp.

“Be careful, Amber. You may be looking through my eyes right now… but one day, you’ll watch yourself die with them.”

I was born a Carter. Not the type to curl up and die because someone else wanted me gone. Her hand twitched. Then came the crash of glass on the floor and her startled scream.

Howard’s footsteps thundered up the stairs. “What the hell happened here?!”

Amber fell against him like some delicate flower. “It’s nothing. I brought her tea, but she… she got upset and threw it. Please, Mr. McIntonsh, don’t be angry with her. She’s not well.”

Perfect little actress. She didn’t repeat what I’d said. Just made herself look like a saint.

“Your eyes just started healing. Don’t cry, Amber.”

Then he turned to me, his voice sharp enough to cut. “Faye, her eyes aren’t better yet and she still thought to bring you tea. She isn’t the reason you’re blind. Stop taking it out on her. You’re being ridiculous!”

I gave a bitter laugh. “Howard, you really don’t know who’s to blame for this?”

His gaze faltered. For a second, the mask slipped.

When I stepped toward him, he moved faster than I could react. The slap came out of nowhere—hard enough to make my head jolt to the side.

Silence. His breath was shaky. “I’m sorry… I didn't mean to...”

Then his hand cupped my face, and before I could step back, he pressed his mouth to mine.

I shoved him away, my voice low and shaking. “Don’t touch me.”

Amber’s voice was all sugar. “Howard, let’s go.”

They started to leave, but just before they stepped out, I heard it... her giggle, soft and wicked. “Not here, your wife is watching.”

Howard’s whispered, “Faye’s blind. She can’t see a thing. Come on… three rounds before we go get our daughter and bring her over.”

The door shut. Their laughter trailed away.

I stood there, the sting of his slap burning on my cheek, my chest heavy with something darker than pain.

Let them have their fun. I’d make sure they choke on it later.

I picked up my phone. “Nico, is the ticket ready?”

He laughed softly. “It’s all set. I’m at the airport. I’ll wait for you there and assist with everything.”

“Good. Tell the my driver to bring the divorce papers too. And keep where we going to yourself.”

“Understood.”

The driver came not long after, documents in hand. I signed, put the ring and slid them into the villa doorframe... Then I packed only my mother’s keepsakes.

At the airport, Nico was there—tall, calm, and steady. He took my bag without a word and guided me inside like he’d been doing it for years.

We were halfway through security when my phone rang. I accidentally answered.

Howard’s voice filled my ear. “Faye, I got the baby. I’m heading home. Want me to bring you something?”

I said nothing.

“I know I messed up earlier,” he continued. “Don’t be mad. Let me—”

“I want a sunflower,” I cut in.

I didn’t care about the flower. I just needed him busy.

“Alright. I’ll get it now.”

I hung up and handed the phone to Nico. “Delete his number. Block everything. Then airplane mode.”

The engines roared. The plane lifted, and the weight on my chest eased for the first time in months.

“This is goodbye, Howard. And trust me…you won’t like what comes next.”