Job nearly choked on his own breath. He coughed for a long time before recovering, his words grinding out through clenched teeth.
"Karen, is Russ Harding the only thing you ever talk about?"
"Pretty much. Just like Kay is the only thing you ever talk to me about."
The moment I mentioned Kay's name, Job's expression shifted to irritation. He was about to accuse me of being petty again, but when he turned his head, his gaze landed on the anniversary cake sitting on the table.
Sitting there all alone. Untouched.
Only then did it dawn on him that today was our fifth wedding anniversary.
Job's tone softened immediately.
"Karen, I'm sorry. I forgot today was our anniversary. I'll make it up to you."
"I've already scheduled Kay's heart surgery. Once she's recovered, I'll send her on her way. Okay?"
When Job turned gentle, those deep, fathomless eyes of his could drown a person whole.
I almost said yes.
Then a knock came at the door, followed by Russ's voice.
"Karen, are you still up?"
I ignored the way Job's face darkened instantly and hurried over to open the door.
"I'm up. What's wrong?"
Russ stood there with his lashes lowered, fingers clutching the hem of his shirt, looking deeply unsettled. "Karen, I... ever since I lost my sight, I've developed anxiety. I'm a little scared. I can't sleep."
How could anyone in this world be so pitiful?
My heart ached beyond words. I took Russ's hand and murmured softly, "Don't be scared. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, then I'll come back."
I guided him toward his room, but Job lost it. He stepped between us, blocking our path.
"Karen, you can't go sleep in another man's room. I'm your husband!"
Russ said nothing. His eyes just turned red. And with that, the scales in my heart tipped completely in his favor.
I pulled him behind me and glared at Job. "Job, can you show a little decency? Can't you see Russ isn't well? Would it kill you to give him this?"
The noise of our argument must have been loud enough to wake Kay. She appeared in the doorway clutching a stuffed rabbit, looking flustered as she stared at Job.
"Job, I just had the most terrible nightmare. I'm having trouble breathing. Could you stay with me? Just for a little while."
Job fell silent again.
Ever since Kay had moved in, he'd spent nearly every night keeping her company.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Kay, we're not kids anymore. It's not appropriate for me to stay with you. If you're scared, just leave the light on."
Kay's face went white. Tears pooled in her eyes in an instant, and she nodded obediently.
But I knew her. She was never that simple.
Sure enough, barely a minute after she went back inside, there was a loud crash.
Job kicked the door open and found Kay collapsed on the floor, limp and pale.
He didn't spare another thought for me or Russ. He scooped Kay into his arms and rushed to the hospital.
I couldn't be bothered to care. I took Russ back to his room.
Just as he'd said, his anxiety was truly severe. He kept jolting awake, and only after confirming I was still beside him could he settle back to sleep.
I stayed with Russ the entire night. Job stayed with Kay the entire night.
By the time he dragged his exhausted body home, Russ and I were already gone.
Russ said he wanted to see the stars. I took time off work and flew with him to Hawaii.
After we got back, Job and I were both buried in work. He still had Kay to look after, and I had Russ. Somehow, we didn't see each other even once.
After coming home for the thirty-seventh time to find me gone, Job finally snapped.
He had someone dig up everything there was to know about Russ Harding.
The moment he laid eyes on the file, he couldn't help but swear.
"Son of a bitch. He's three years older than me, and he has the nerve to call me 'bro'?"
He cursed for a good long while before finally reading on.
The further he got, the darker his expression became.
Halfway through, he dropped everything on his schedule and drove home.
I was at work. Kay was at the hospital. Russ was the only one in the house.
Job didn't alert anyone. He crept to the bedroom door and pushed it open silently.
His eyes went wide with shock.
Russ was in there, putting in colored contacts.
