Luna's POV
I entered the house with hurried steps, full of excitement. Today, I wanted to give my husband a surprise—a surprise that I had been planning for a long time. Enthusiastically, I called his name while looking for his whereabouts.
"Honey, I'm home!"
My voice echoed in the quiet living room. There was no reply. I approached our room.
My smile grew wider. I imagined his expression when he saw me. I took off the sunglasses that had become an important part of me, letting them hang from my fingers.
My steps stopped right in front of the door. My hand, which was about to knock, suddenly froze when a female voice came from inside.
"When is the blind woman coming home, Max?"
My smile faded. I recognized that voice. With trembling hands, I put my ear to the door. I tried to calm myself, thinking maybe I had heard wrong. But before I could process it, my husband's soft voice replied.
"I don't know. Just stay calm. She won't suspect anything. After all, she can't see, can she?"
I felt my whole body tremble. It felt like something was hitting my chest hard. I wanted to break through, but my body felt stiff. I stood there, motionless, just listening.
"You're so good at making her believe. I always wondered how you could stand her," the woman's voice replied. That voice... I recognized it.
My husband replied in a sweet tone, "Never mind, dear. Let's enjoy this moment together."
My tears welled up, and I couldn't hold them back. My heart broke as if the whole world had collapsed in an instant. My breathing felt labored, but I didn't want to make a sound. I took a slow step back, still clutching my sunglasses, which now felt heavy.
They tricked me. Pretending to be nice to cover up their relationship.
"You think I don't know?" I muttered under my breath, though no one behind the door heard me.
No sooner had I stepped back from the room than James, the loyal servant who had worked in this house for many years, approached me with calm steps. However, his normally friendly face now looked a little worried.
"Don't you want to see your husband?" he asked gently, as if trying to read my mind.
I didn't answer. My eyes reddened, and tears flowed unbidden, but I quickly wiped them away roughly. I didn't want to look fragile.
My gaze returned to the door of the room, where their warm laughter could still be heard. The laughter now sounded like cruel mockery to me. James, who noticed the change in my face, began to understand something. However, he chose to remain silent, as if waiting for what I was going to say.
I looked away from him, trying to brace myself. In a cold voice that felt foreign even to me, I said, "Go away, James. And forget about the surprise I was going to give my husband. Just be quiet, and don't tell him anything."
James looked doubtful. "But..." His voice sounded objectionable, perhaps not agreeing with my request.
"Go, now!" I cut in firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument.
There was pity on his face as he looked at me. I knew he wanted to say something, wanted to offer his help, but I didn't need pity from anyone right now. Reluctantly, James finally turned and left, leaving me alone, which now felt colder than ever.
I took a deep breath, then put my sunglasses back on, as if that could hide the wound that had just been opened wide. My left hand was clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palm.
Then I knocked on the door of the room. Once. Twice. Their laughter still sounded, light and warm, but to my ears, it was just an insult laughing at my condition.
I waited. This time, I would not back down. I would face them.
The door opened slowly. From behind it, Max was a little surprised to see me coming, followed shortly by the woman. Who else, if not my best friend? Their faces were beaming, as if they had no sin to hide.
I stood there, wearing my sunglasses, pretending to still be trapped in the darkness. My heart skipped a beat, but I forced my lips to smile.
"Honey, when did you come home? How was your vacation?" he asked cheerfully, coming closer and hugging me gently. The once-warm embrace now left only a piercing chill.
Max released his embrace and then looked at Anna. Small smiles graced their faces, a sign of cooperation in a disgusting lie. My husband gestured with a forefinger brought to his lips, reminding my best friend to remain silent. I held my breath, holding back the disgust that was about to burst.
"So much fun! By the way, I had a chance to buy some souvenirs for you and Anna as well."
From behind my sunglasses, I saw my best friend standing not far away, smiling sarcastically, looking at me like I was a toy they had defeated.
I smiled a little, hiding all the pain behind my friendly face. My eyes were fixed on my best friend, though she might not have noticed my gaze. My smile broadened, but my heart was full of anger.
"Well, thank you, honey. Anna must be happy. You're such a good wife and friend," Max replied in an enthusiastic tone that sounded fake to my ears.
I leaned slightly towards him, putting on a curious face.
"Honey, I heard a noise in your room earlier. Like a woman's voice. And you... seemed to be talking to someone in there. Who is it?"
Max smiled a little, but there was a slight frown on his forehead, a sign that he was trying to think fast.
"Oh, that was me watching a movie. There was no one in the room but me, darling."
His hand gently rubbed my head. His voice sounded so convincing, but I knew better. I knew all the lies behind that smile. Although my chest felt tight, I managed to stop myself from exploding.
"Oh, I see. Maybe I heard wrong." I pretended to believe him. I smiled a little, even though I felt like throwing everything at their faces.
"Oh yeah, honey, can you please get me the souvenirs that were in the car? And also my cane. I seem to have forgotten to bring it in."
"Of course, honey. Let me get it," he replied in a sweet tone, neatly covering up his lie.
Max turned around and walked away. But I realized something. Anne was following him. Her feet were on tiptoe, as if to muffle the sound. She wanted to make sure I didn't hear that she was here with me.
However, before actually leaving, my best friend turned her head back, looking at me with a small grin that she didn't hide. Her expression was full of mockery, like a spectator who was sure she had won the game.
I held my breath, suppressing the anger burning in my chest. From behind these sunglasses, I saw everything: her dismissive gaze, her confident stride, and the pride she exhibited at having snatched something from me.
Once they were out, I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. It wasn't time yet. I had to play this game carefully until they were the ones caught in their trap.
"Enjoy your play, Anne. Don't think you can win now," I whispered, my lips pulling into a small, determined smile.
