Luna's POV
Slowly, I walked towards the window that led to the courtyard. My hand grazed the wall, then the window frame, looking for a handle. I took off the sunglasses that were always attached to my face.
Max and Anne's laughter was still ringing in my ears. It was as if the world only belonged to them, without caring that I was looking at them.
My heart sank. This pain was like a thorn that pierced repeatedly without mercy. The sound of laughter was familiar—too familiar, too close. I knew what they were doing there.
It wasn't just this once that I suspected, but hearing and feeling the betrayal firsthand... it was much more painful. I tried to recall how it all started. My marriage to Max was not out of love, but out of responsibility. The incident was still vivid in my memory.
That day, I came home from work. Tired, but hopeful as always. The streets were crowded, but I stepped carefully. There was no foreboding, until the sound of the car's brakes screeched and my body was thrown onto the asphalt. The world turned dark in an instant.
The darkness wasn't just the loss of sight; it was the loss of my dreams, my hopes, and my faith in life. I was angry, frustrated, feeling like life was so cruel. But Max, that man, was the driver who took away my world. Max came with endless guilt.
Finally, Max apologized, over and over again. Eventually, he proposed to me. He said it was his way to make amends, to take responsibility.
At first, I flatly refused. But the days passed, and slowly, I began to accept.
Max was so good. Too good, to the point where I began to think maybe I was worthy of love even in this darkness. I learned to love him and put my broken heart back together.
But now, what did it all mean? His kindness all this time was just a form of regret, not love. While I... this blind me, foolishly, put my heart into him.
I stood at the window, the sound of their laughter in the courtyard like a loud slap that made me realize.
"Why was I so stupid to believe that he loved me?"
I felt tears welling up, hot on my cheeks. I tried to take a deep breath, to calm myself, but the pain wouldn't go away.
Since losing my sight, my life felt empty. I thought no one would stick by my side, no friend would care. But then, there was Anne.
"Calm down, Luna. I'm here to keep you company. Even though you can't see me, you can feel that I'm always here for you."
I still remember when Anne said those words that calmed me down at that moment. Even when I experienced a disaster that made the world dark for me, Anne didn't change. She often came whenever I needed her—accompanying my loneliness, listening to my stories, or just sitting on the sofa while talking about light things.
I used to believe that amid this darkness, Anne was my light. But this time, something felt different. Anne, whom I once saw as a true friend, has now become a stranger. She is no longer my best friend but has become an enemy who is ready to fight with me.
Pieces of memories hit me again. How I was always there for Anne. When she ran out of money, I was the one who helped her. When she needed a place to stay, I let her stay at my house, sharing a room like a sister. Even my clothes were never too precious for her to borrow. However, what I did all this time turned out to be in vain.
My trust was shattered just like that. She stabbed me in the back, without hesitation. I still remember her tone of voice, calm but deceitful. Her words, once felt like a hug, are now a knife that cuts my heart. And here I was, in the dark, realizing that the Anne I had trusted had taken advantage of my kindness.
"Am I not good enough for you, Anne? What exactly made you change?" I murmured.
The tears I had been holding back began to flow down my cheeks. I could no longer tell if it was anger, disappointment, or deep hurt. I clenched my fists, trying to stop myself from screaming.
My heart wanted to fight back, but there was a small part of me that still hoped Anne would explain everything. That maybe, just maybe, I was wrong. But how could I be wrong when this pain was so real?
Over the past few days, I've been watching Anne's movements closely. She was getting more and more comfortable in my house, as if she were the owner. There was no shame or hesitation when she waited for Max to come home from work, even openly flirting and making out with him. I held myself together, trying to remain calm, even though every second felt like a fire burning in my heart.
They didn't know. They thought I was just a blind, stupid woman, unable to see the lie before my eyes. But I had a plan. I let them continue to role-play, while I secretly gathered evidence.
Day after day, I went through this drama, pretending to be blind and helpless. I was no longer the same woman. The eye surgery I underwent had given me my sight back, and now I was waiting for the right time to avenge everything.
That day, I sat on a park bench with Anne. She seemed normal, even trying to play her role as my best friend. With a fake smile on her face, she asked, "How was your vacation, Luna? Was it fun?"
I looked at her silently, trying to suppress the disgust rising in my chest.
"Of course, it was great," I replied in a forced cheerful tone. I started making up stories about the fake vacation—about the beach, the sunset, and how free I felt.
She listened to me, or at least pretended to. Until she finally stood up, turning her back to me with a small chuckle. I heard her mutter, clear and sharp as a thorn.
"Really, sickening! How can a blind woman enjoy her vacation?" she said in a condescending tone.
Anne's words made my blood boil. I threw my hands up, trying to remain calm.
"Anne, why are you silent? Where are you?"
Before she could answer, I stood up quickly and rammed into her. Her body lost balance, and she tumbled into the garden, letting out a small scream.
"Oh my, what did I bump into?" I exclaimed in panic, wearing a worried expression.
"Anne, was that you? Sorry, I didn't know you were standing there."
I crouched down beside her, groping the ground as if I didn't see what happened.
"I didn't mean to! Are you okay? I didn't see you there!"
Anne groaned, trying to get up while brushing off the dirt stuck to her clothes. Her face was red, either from embarrassment or anger.
"Be careful!" she said sternly.
I looked down, pretending to feel guilty. Inwardly, I held back a triumphant smile. This is just the beginning, Anne. You don't know what will happen next.
"Hey, why are you two sitting on the ground?" Max suddenly came over to the two of us. He was confused to see Anne sitting on the ground with an annoyed face, while I crouched down with an innocent face.
