“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.”
