I instinctively pulled back.
Winona reclined against the hospital bed with a pale,delicate expression and offered a soft,pity-laced smile."I heard you used to massage Mr.Shepherd every night after you two got married.Why the sudden hesitance now?Oh…I see.You're worried about your dignity,aren't you?Of course,you're the prestigious wife of Lennon Shepherd.How could you possibly stoop so low as to massage a blind woman like me?"
Lennon shot me a cold,disapproving glance."Why are you just standing there?Don’t forget—Winona got hurt because of you."
I drew a shaky breath,then slowly knelt by the bed and began massaging Winona’s legs.
She let out a soft,satisfied sigh and closed her eyes,like a queen accepting a servant's offering.
I remembered all those nights when Lennon came home exhausted from work.I had spent months learning massage just to soothe his stress,to give him comfort and care.
And now…he was asking me to do the same for his lover.
"Ow!"Winona shrieked."What’s wrong with you?That hurt!If you don’t want to do it,then don’t touch me!"
She suddenly recoiled in mock pain,pulling her leg away and kicking me hard under the chin.
"Oh—I'm so sorry!"she said sweetly,hands fluttering in fake distress."I forgot I was blind.I couldn’t see where I was kicking.Did I hurt you?"
Her kick knocked me backward and the back of my head slammed into the sharp edge of the cabinet.
My vision dimmed instantly.A high-pitched ringing filled my ears.
The sharp,metallic scent of blood hit my nose.I reached behind my head and felt something warm and wet.My fingers came away slick with blood.
Fighting against the dizziness,I pulled myself upright,using the cabinet for support.
I could feel the blood trickling down the back of my neck,soaking through the collar of my shirt.
Lennon did not move an inch.Not even a glance in my direction.
"Lennon…"I whispered his name.My voice trembled with pain and disbelief.
"Quit playing the victim,"he replied coldly."Winona barely touched you."
Winona stepped behind him and smirked at me,satisfied.
"I feel so dizzy…"I pressed my palm to the wall to keep myself upright.The world around me began to blur,the hallway bleeding into red and gray.
Only then did Lennon finally look at me—and freeze when he saw the blood streaming down my face.
He hesitated,as if about to come over,but Winona clung to his sleeve."Lennon,my legs…they still hurt so much…"
He panicked immediately and swept her up into his arms without looking back at me.It was a kind nurse who rushed to help me,called the doctor and stayed by my side until I passed out.
I was hospitalized for three days and Lennon never came to see me.Not once.
When I went to collect my blood test results,I happened to pass by Winona’s ward.Inside,nurses were bustling in and out and laughter echoed through the hall.
I overheard them talking,full of admiration and envy.
"Mr.Shepherd is so attentive,Miss Myers,"one nurse gushed."He peels your apples and grapes too…even pours your water and gives you bath himself."
"She’s pregnant,you know.But right,he's so sweet.You’re so lucky to have such a devoted husband."
My chest caved in at their words.
I was the one who brought Winona into our lives—hired her to help Lennon with his condition.I even added her on social media,thinking she was kind.
Lately,she had been posting constantly.Every photo she posted was of him—holding her hand,smiling gently.On her wrist was his favorite bracelet,the one he never let anyone else touch.
Lennon and I had known each other since childhood and we had been married for years.Back then,even if I accidentally brushed against that bracelet,he would pull back almost swiftly.
But now,it was on her wrist.So,she was the one he truly loved,wasn’t she?
A sharp pain twisted in my chest.I instinctively placed a hand on my belly.
I had been so happy when I found out I was pregnant.But then,I overheard my own husband whisper to someone behind closed doors that even touching me made him feel dirty.That the baby I carried must be the child of some random homeless guy.
The memory made my whole body ache.
With trembling fingers,I walked to the OB-GYN reception desk and registered for an appointment.
I had made up my mind.
I would terminate the pregnancy.
Soon…just a few more days…and I would finally be free of Lennon Shepherd forever.
