Adrienne’s words seemed to be helping Heidi, but in reality, they were a cruel reminder of the humiliation Calvin suffered when his ex-wife dumped him years ago.
His anger turned icy, and he let out a cold snort. “A despicable miser like you isn’t worthy of my money! Tell the manager here—I don’t ever want to see this woman here again!”
With that, he wrapped his arm around Adrienne and returned to the private room, slamming the door shut behind him.
It was strange—Heidi’s vision had long since blurred, yet she could still see clearly the disgust in Calvin’s eyes as he turned away and the smug satisfaction at the corner of Adrienne’s lips.
A sharp, suffocating pain spread through Heidi’s chest. She clutched the spot over her heart, her face contorted in agony. Lifting her gaze toward the closed door, her surroundings gradually faded into a blur.
Her trembling fingers brushed against the corners of her eyes, where pain had resided for five long years. When she saw the crimson tears of blood on her fingertips, she couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile.
‘Calvin still doesn’t know.’
The eyes he used to gaze so tenderly at another woman—were Heidi’s.
Five years ago, his vision had been deteriorating due to a lack of funds and a suitable cornea until he was nearly blind. His mental state declined along with it, leaving him dispirited and broken.
That was when his mother came to Heidi.
Years ago, Calvin had cut ties with his family for her. Now, Rosalie wanted Heidi to sever ties with him.
The reason? Money and a cornea.
Thinking of Calvin’s vacant, lifeless eyes, Heidi agreed. But she still insisted on giving him her own cornea.
The Rosenbachs had money—they could afford an artificial cornea without issue. But that would only last for so long.
A donor cornea could work too, but it would take time.
Once she left, Calvin wouldn’t wait. He might even spiral out of control.
So, his mother agreed.
Once a match was confirmed, Heidi had her cornea transplanted to him.
As for herself, she got a pair of artificial corneas—the cheapest kind, to save money.
For the first two years, her vision was no different from a normal person’s. But by the third year, she was diagnosed with eye cancer.
By the time she found out, it was already too late. The cancer cells had affected the artificial corneas, subjecting her to relentless, excruciating pain day and night—along with the agony of impending blindness.
Three whole years. Over a thousand days and nights.
The world before her eyes grew dimmer and blurrier with each passing day.
She knew that whether it was her life or her vision, she was already at her limit.
After leaving the bar, Heidi went to the hospital.
“You can’t keep taking painkillers. You’ve had more than enough over the years.”
The person scolding her was Sharon Sumners, Heidi’s best friend and her attending physician.
Seeing the concern on her face, Heidi gave Sharon a reassuring smile.
“It’s fine. I’ve already taken so many—what difference do a few more make?”
Sharon rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Fine, forget the painkillers. But what about alcohol? How many times have I told you—you can’t drink! Heidi, the cancer has already spread to your stomach. Drinking could literally kill you!”
‘Kill me? Of course, I knew that. But I desperately needed money—not just for myself but for my son.’
At the thought of her child, she quickly asked, anxious, “Right, how’s Tommie? Did he eat today?”
“Don’t worry, Tommie is very well-behaved. Today is New Year’s Eve, so I brought him black-eyed peas and cornbread. He ate them happily. But we still need to find a matching bone marrow donor as soon as possible. Otherwise… he might not make it through the year.
“It’s a pity Calvin wasn’t a match. Otherwise… your son wouldn’t have had to suffer for so long. Some father he is—ugh, completely useless!”
Sharon’s voice was full of anger and frustration, but Heidi only curled her lips into a bitter smile.
