Chapter 2

A round of applause erupted near my ears, followed by Fintan's voice, sounding somewhat angry:

"Aria, I never thought you'd stoop so low for money."

"You're quite clever, not pretending to be deaf or mute, but choosing to feign blindness for sympathy."

"However, do you think I'll believe it? You think I've never been blind before?!"

I listened to his taunts one by one, my face remaining expressionless, but my hand unconsciously tightened on the cane.

"Fintan, maybe she's really blind. Look, she's using a stick, and that dog next to her must be a guide dog."

"Brother, just give it to her quickly, consider it charity for the disabled."

Only then did Fintan notice the cane in my hand, glancing at it before snickering:

"Well, aren't you fully equipped. I'm starting to wonder if you came here specifically to ambush me today."

He slowly walked towards me, close enough that I could almost smell his scent.

"What's this, are you my secret fan?"

I was stunned for a moment, then shook my head.

He reached out and snatched my cane, lowering his head to gently caress it while saying softly:

"I'll give you the money, Miss Shaw."

"But please, don't do these shameless things in front of my fiancée anymore. I'm afraid she might misunderstand."

As soon as he finished speaking, a card was thrown at my face, its sharp corner jabbing into my eye.I was about to speak when I heard his icy voice from afar:

"Miss Shaw likes to play blind. Consider this money your acting fee."

His footsteps grew fainter until they disappeared completely. Only then did I crouch down, feeling around with my hands.

When my fingers finally touched a cold metal card, the bitterness in my heart poured out completely.

I raised my hand and touched my eye sockets.

Even though the nerves were already dead, why did it still hurt so much?

Fintan still doesn't know that the world he sees now was a gift from me.

Three years ago, I saw him wake up to find himself blind, screaming madly, looking devastated and in agony.

Unable to bear it, I gave him my eyes.

And I myself fell into darkness, my eye sockets filled with the cheapest prosthetic eyes.

The wounds kept getting infected, causing my optic nerves to nearly die.

Back then, I thought the future was so long, I would surely wait for someone to donate corneas.

But because I had no money, I missed one opportunity after another.

Just when I had almost completely given up hope, a few days ago the doctor told me they had finally found suitable eyes.

"Woof woof!"

A dog's bark interrupted my memories. Its tail brushed against my nose. I reached out to pet the furry dog's head and said with a smile:

"Let's go, Finny."I turn to head back to the hospital to settle the final bill, but my card is pushed back to me.

The doctor regretfully informs me that the donor has suddenly canceled their donation.

A patient, feeling discomfort in their eye, had paid an exorbitant sum to keep that eye as a backup.

They had just left.

I take back my bank card, bowing my head in silence.

This isn't the first time I've missed out on a donation, so why does this time feel particularly devastating?

Perhaps it's because my last hope can't outweigh someone else's backup plan.

Or maybe it's because the person I once loved deeply has stolen away my only chance.

He hates me.

I know.

That year, I knew he loved me to his very core, and he would never allow me to trade my own eyes for his sight.

I also didn't want him to open his eyes and see me with bandages over mine.

So, at his most desperate moment, I used the cruelest words to break up with him.

I said I was sick of guiding him every day, sick of people's strange looks.

I was vain, calculating, only able to share in his joys but not his sorrows.

Even today, I remember how Fintan, who had been falling apart daily, suddenly went quiet when I finished speaking.

He gripped my hand tightly, looking at me with red-rimmed eyes, and choked out:

"Aria, can you wait for me a little longer? I'll get better.I forcefully pried his fingers open, not responding to him.

I just stood quietly to the side, covering my mouth as tears fell.

He called my name helplessly until he thought I had left and his voice died away.

That day, I watched him sit alone by the window for the entire day.

After the surgery, I completely disappeared from his world.

The next time I heard his voice was on a TV program.

He had won the Golden Globe Award and was giving his acceptance speech.

"Lastly, I want to thank my first love. If she hadn't given up on me, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Among all the thanks, this one sounded the most like a reproach.

My heart ached, but I felt more relieved than anything.

Of our once shared destination, only he had reached the finish line.

It's alright.

It's alright.

The phone ring interrupted my reminiscing. It was the doctor calling.

"Miss Shaw, I've asked around for you. There's a donor available at the private hospital. However, the cost is astronomical. Think it over. This might be your last chance."