unbearably heavy.
Even if I could see again...
What difference would it make?
Would I simply witness him choosing Celeste with my own eyes? Would every lie become impossible to ignore?
A long silence followed.
Then Rowan answered.
“No.”
The doctor sounded stunned.
“...No? Alpha, perhaps you misunderstood me. This is wonderful news. She has a real chance to recover her vision.”
Rowan's reply came without the slightest hesitation, colder than winter itself.
“Didn't Pierce explain the situation? For the past five years, I've instructed him to prescribe nothing beyond ordinary supplements.”
The room fell silent.
When the doctor finally spoke again, disbelief filled his voice.
“You mean you've deliberately withheld the treatment? Alpha... that's wrong. Lady Lillian deserves to know the truth. She deserves the opportunity to recover.”
Rowan released a slow breath.
“And if she regains her sight, then what?” he asked evenly. “Have you considered what happens after that? What becomes of Celeste once everything is exposed?”
“With all due respect, Alpha,” the doctor insisted, “your mate's well-being should be your priority. You can't keep her blind simply because it makes your situation easier.”
“It isn't about convenience.”
Rowan's tone turned dangerously calm.
“It's about maintaining balance. I'm protecting both of them, and that decision isn't yours to question.”
My fingers instinctively closed around my wedding ring.
They wouldn't stop trembling.
So...
He had known all along.
He knew my blindness wasn't permanent.
He knew there was treatment that could have given me my sight back.
And he chose to keep it from me.
Why?
Was I nothing more than someone easier to control if I remained blind?
Someone he could hide away whenever it suited him?
A sharp snap broke through my thoughts.
Only then did I realize I had yanked the ring from my swollen finger with so much force that it tore the skin. Blood slowly trickled between my fingers, warm against my palm.
I turned and ran.
I wasn't even sure where I was going.
All I knew was that I had to get away before I fell apart.
By the time I reached my room, I was shaking so violently I could barely breathe.
My shoulder struck the edge of a table.
A framed wedding photograph toppled onto the floor with a loud crash.
I stared down at it.
In the picture, Rowan was gently kissing my forehead, his eyes overflowing with love and devotion.
As though I had once been his entire world.
“Why...?” I whispered hoarsely. “Why would you deceive me like this?”
Tears slipped down my face before I even realized I was crying.
Then, somehow...
I started laughing.
A broken, hollow laugh echoed through the room.
“Haha... Rowan...” I choked out. “You're incredible. You planned every bit of this, didn't you?”
Nausea twisted violently in my stomach. I bent over, retching as bitterness burned my throat.
“All those years I blamed myself... all those nights I thought I was broken... you made sure I'd never know the truth.”
I cried until there were no tears left.
Then I picked up the photograph.
I removed it from the frame.
Without hesitating, I fed it into the paper shredder.
The machine slowly pulled the picture inside.
Its grinding sound echoed through the room while tiny strips of paper fell into the bin below.
With every piece it destroyed, it felt as though another part of my heart disappeared with it.
Every promise.
Every memory.
Every “I love you.”
Reduced to scraps.
“My love... what are you doing?”
Rowan's voice came from behind me.
I never looked back.
Silently, I gathered the shredded remains and dumped them into the trash.
“Nothing,” I answered calmly.
“It was just... a damaged file.”
“I don't need it anymore.”
He walked closer, frowning.
“A damaged file?” His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the shredded paper. “Why does that look so familiar? Lillian... what exactly did you—”
The bedroom door opened before he could finish.
“Rowan.”
Celeste's gentle voice floated into the room.
He turned immediately.
Without another glance at me.
She entered carrying a bouquet of white lilies, their fragrance filling the room almost instantly.
“I brought these,” she said shyly. “I thought Lillian might like them.”
The concern in Rowan's eyes appeared at once.
“You shouldn't be walking around so much,” he said. “What if something happens to you... or the baby?”
She smiled reassuringly.
“I'm alright. I only wanted to do something thoughtful.”
Rowan accepted the bouquet before placing it into my arms.
“These are for you.”
Celeste smiled sweetly.
“Happy birthday, Miss Brightman.”
The overwhelming scent struck me immediately.
My throat tightened.
I couldn't breathe.
A violent coughing fit overtook me, tears streaming uncontrollably from my eyes.
Rowan frowned.
“What's wrong? Are you allergic to lilies? Why didn't you tell me before?”
Before I could answer, Celeste walked behind me and gently covered my eyes with both hands.
She laughed softly.
“Come on,” she teased. “Just a few more steps. No peeking. I prepared a surprise especially for you.”
I didn't resist.
I simply let her guide me forward.
What reason did I have to argue anymore?
“Okay,” she said brightly. “Ready?”
She removed her hands.
“Surprise!”
My eyes settled on the dining table.
Raw meat sat across the marble surface, still dripping with fresh blood. White foam clung to it as though it hadn't even been washed properly. Beside it, the vegetables were burned beyond recognition, blackened from being left over the fire too long.
I simply stared.
Was this supposed to be a gift?
Or was I the one everyone was laughing at?
Celeste suddenly slapped a hand against her forehead.
“Oh no!” she exclaimed. “I completely forgot. Miss Brightman... you can't really see, can you? I didn't even think about how this would look.”
She covered her mouth in embarrassment, acting as though she'd made an innocent mistake.
Rowan immediately took both of her hands.
His movements were gentle as he signed reassuringly.
It's alright. Don't blame yourself. Lillian won't take something like this personally. She's not that sensitive.
Not that sensitive.
Celeste lowered her eyes, her fingers moving hesitantly.
Why do I keep messing everything up? I only wanted to make her happy, but I can't seem to do anything right.
Rowan smiled with quiet affection.
Don't say that. You're trying your best, and that's enough for me. You never have to be perfect.
She sniffled before signing again.
I baked her a mango cake too. I thought maybe something sweet would cheer her up.
Rowan turned toward me with the same gentle expression that had once made me believe I was loved.
“Come on, sweetheart,” he coaxed softly. “She put a lot of effort into this. At least have a taste.”
I remained exactly where I was.
My hands slowly curled into fists.
I was exhausted.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
I didn't think I had anything left to give.
“Rowan,” I said at last, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Do you even remember what today really is?”
He looked confused.
“What are you talking about?” he asked. “Today's your birthday.”
I met his eyes.
“No.”
A painful smile touched my lips.
“It isn't.”
