ManyWriters

I concealed my identity as Scion of an old money "New York" family when I married Vivienne.
But unexpectedly, the day before our wedding, I was in a car accident.
When I regained consciousness, I had lost my sight.
In the darkness, I overheard Vivienne's conversation with her assistant.
"Ms. Stratton, don't worry. The driver responsible for the accident and the doctor have been taken care of. They won't breathe a word. However... Mr. Everhart loves painting more than anything. After donating his corneas, he'll never be able to see again. What if he can't accept it when he wakes up?"
"He's strong, unlike Brent. Brent couldn't live without his eyes. Besides, Everett has me now. I'll take care of him for the rest of our lives. I love him, but I can't lose Brent."
The woman paused, then her cool voice spoke again.
"Oh, and have the doctor perform a vasectomy on Everett while they're at it. Brent would go mad if he saw me with Everett's child."
The assistant hesitated, feeling uneasy. "But Ms. Stratton, isn't this too cruel to Mr. Everhart? He's been with you since he was eighteen..."
"Just do as I say. Don't ask any more questions." I shuddered involuntarily, my entire body turning ice cold.
The woman I had loved unconditionally all this time had already fallen for the impoverished student I was supporting.
She was even willing to destroy everything I had for his sake.
If that's how it is, those who hurt me cannot be allowed to remain.

Love's Cruel Severance

I only knew that he and Vivienne had shacked up at some point, and that Vivienne had fallen in love with him at some point.


Vivienne gently brushed the stray hairs from my forehead, her voice softer than ever before.


"Everett, can we still have the wedding tomorrow as planned? I really want to marry you soon and make you my husband."


The wedding I once dreamed of now seemed like a nightmare.


Vivienne didn't expect me to refuse. She let go of me and explained patiently,


"I know you're scared, but don't worry. I'll take care of everything. I promise no one will dare say a word about you. Brent will be your best man to help you."


"This time, our officiant will be Vania, the head of the prestigious Everhart family from New York City. I promised you I'd give you the grandest wedding."


Hearing my older sister's name, I suddenly gripped the woman's sleeve tightly.


Everhart family didn't know I was in Los Angeles, let alone that Vivienne's fiancé was me.


Years ago, after I refused to marry into a high-society New York family, I angrily ran away from home and never contacted them again. I feel a pang of bitterness in my heart, not daring to imagine what expression my older sister would have seeing me in such a disheveled state.


Suddenly, a weight presses on my arm as a magnetic male voice speaks up,


"Everett, I was so worried about you. From now on, I'll be your eyes and take care of you for life..."


Vivienne interrupts him, with a barely detectable hint of uneasiness in her voice,


"Don't talk nonsense, Everett is only temporarily blind."


Brent takes the cue, leaning his head on my shoulder to purposely comfort me,


"You're right, I misspoke. Maybe your eyes will be better tomorrow,


and then he can happily marry Vivienne. Everett, I'm so happy for you."


It was this seemingly innocent act that fooled me.


An assistant brings in the groom's suit, leaving only Brent and me in the hospital room.


"Brother Everett, I heard you designed this suit yourself? It looks great, but it's a bit big on me."


The sound of fabric tearing in the quiet hospital room is particularly jarring.


I know it was him who ruined my wedding attire.


"You're just a blind man, there's no use in wearing such an expensive suit. The hospital gown suits you better." The pain in my eye sockets was excruciating, as if they were being seared by fire.


I was in so much agony that I lost my voice, my hands trembling as I tried to wipe the liquid from my eyes with my sleeve.


Brent gripped my wrist tightly, his voice filled with venom as it reached my ears.


"Everett, you didn't go blind because of a car accident. I never imagined that with just a casual remark, Vivienne would take your corneas and give them to me. And I didn't even need them - I found them disgusting, not even fit for a dog to eat."


"If you know what's good for you, you'll leave on your own. Otherwise, who knows? I might casually mention something that could cost you your life."


The acid burning my eyes was nothing compared to the pain in my heart.


Hearing the sound of high heels approaching, Brent roughly wiped the liquid from the corners of my eyes and lifted my hand high in the air.


Before I could react, a powerful force shoved me away. My head slammed against the wall behind me, leaving my ears ringing uncontrollably.


"Everett! You may be blind, but you're not crazy! Why did you hit Brent? He's very weak right now!"


Although I couldn't see Vivienne's expression, I could tell from her furious voice that she had lost control. For all these years, this was the first time she had been so enraged. She forgot that it was I who was the physically weaker one.


Chapter 3