Regained My Sight, Lost My Husband

I lost my sight saving Ethan Shaw.

To make me feel secure, he swore publicly:

Emma, even if you can't see anymore, I'll take care of you forever.

I was so touched, so I hid the fact that my eyes were improving and secretly sought treatment.

But the day I could finally see, I saw Ethan Shaw made out with his childhood sweetheart, right beside me.

[How come youre lasting so long this time?

Is it because your wifes right here?]

[Yea.

These condoms are the ones she bought ages ago.]

Reading their sign language, I felt the blood drain from my face.

Suppressing the sickness, I texted the research team that had been inviting me for months.

I agreed to join their project.

I was leaving Ethan Shaw.

And I was going to make him regret it. ...

By the time I sent the message, Ethan and Chloe weren't in the living room anymore.

I thought maybe theyd show some decency.

But the next second, breathy moans drifted from the bedroom, followed by Ethans voice calling out to me:

"Emma, honey? My shirts in that bag in the living room. Could you bring it to me?"

His tone was gentle, casual, like any other day. But my newly restored vision clearly saw the bags contents weren't clothes at all C it was stuffed with sex toys!

"Emma?"

"Got it."

I desperately tried to calm my surging emotions, grabbed the bag, and pushed open the bedroom door.

Lingerie, clothes, condom wrappers C the floor was a mess.

And in our bed, Chloe was wearing my pajamas, flirting with Ethan.

[Youre such a player, making her bring stuff.

Arent you scared Ill moan loud enough for her to hear?]Chloe signed, a smug smirk on her face.

Ethan paused, shirt half-off.

[Dont let her find out.]

[What if she does?]

[Youre out.]

Ethan gripped her chin, he looked like hes gonna eat her.

Everyone knew Ethan loved me.

He was born with a silver spoon, yet he willingly crammed himself into this tiny apartment for two years to care for his blind girlfriend.

People had told him to dump me.

But Ethan shut them down: "I love Emma. If you say that again, were done."

But right now, seeing him covered in scratches and lipstick stains from another woman, I felt sick.

So I dropped the bag and bolted.

"Emma? Whats wrong?"

Leaning against the wall outside the bedroom, I was gonna throw up, I felt Ethans hand on my back.

Looking at his concerned face, I forced out the words: "Im fine, probably ate something bad."

Ethan helped me to the couch, pretended to look for medicine, then made an excuse to leave.

I sat silently in the living room.

If he came back with medicine and confessed, I thought, maybe Id try to forgive him.

But one minute passed. Five. Ten.

Ethan didnt return.

He went back into the bedroom.

I had my answer.

Seeing no reply to my earlier text, I dialed a number.

"That research position you mentioned is it still open?"

The voice on the other end paused, then brightened with recognition.

"Emma? Youre coming? Thats fantastic! But its a closed research. We barely have time to be with family. Can you accept it?"

"Ive thought it over. Ill join in three days."

"Great! Thank you for your commitment to science!"

After hanging up, I looked around the apartment Ethan and I had shared for two years.

It felt utterly strange.

His friends always said I was holding him back.

Now, I was setting him free.

Ethan and I got together in college.

Back then, I had a crush on him for years, and it took relentless persistence to finally win over this unattainable love..

Two years ago, the lab building where Ethan worked exploded. Flames roared.

I was worried about him, so I fought my way to his floor.

Just as the fire reached his lab, I shoved him out.

But my eyes they were scorched by toxic fumes. Blinded.

Seeing me injured, Ethan broke down sobbing.

He swore hed find a way to fix my eyes.

He dragged me to specialists, founded a pharmaceutical company just for me but nothing worked.

Until six months ago.

The hospital called and told us they had found a new treatment.

Maybe Its a chance for me.

But the odds were slim.

I didnt tell Ethan.

I thought if it worked, itd be a surprise.

I never imagined the surprise would be on me.

At eleven, Ethan kicked Chloe out.

When I got into bed, hed changed the sheets.

He climbed in after his shower, snuggling close like always.

"Baby, youre so soft. No one feels as good as you."

Staring at the ceiling, numb, I asked, "Have you held other girls?"

Ethan froze, then chuckled.

"Of course not. Im yours till death do us part. Why would I?"

Till death do us part.

He said so easily.

Ethan loved sweet talk.

When I was blind, I always needed others help.

This sometimes made him insanely jealous.

He was possessive.

"I was just asking for directions."

"I dont care what your excuse is. You have me, Emma. You dont need other men. Ill always be here."

Such hollow devotion.

But for two years, Id soaked it up, feeling cherished.

Now, hearing it again, I just felt sick.

If he truly loved me, would he have made me their sex entertainment for two whole years?

Ethan nuzzled my neck.

"Emma, I found our dream house. I got them installed accessibility rails. Well move in after the wedding."

Seeing the fresh hickey on his neck, I didnt answer.

Then, with a touch of malice, I nodded.

"Okay. Lets get married and move in soon."

Ethan beamed, holding me tighter.

"I love you so much, baby."

I was lying.

Id already submitted my application to rejoin the research team.

In less than three days, Id vanish from Ethan Shaws life.

I'll make him taste what it feels like to be played as well.

But mostly, I needed to find myself again.

The next morning, Ethan fed me breakfast like usual But beneath the surface, his phone buzzed constantly with flirty texts to Chloe.

My eyes stung. It still hurt.

After breakfast, he took me to the pharmaceutical company hed founded for me two years ago. He brought me there weekly, hoping for a miracle cure.

All the way, he held me with such care, treating me like a treasured possessiona sight that moved all the medical staff present.

"Mr. Shaw is so devoted to Miss Emma," a doctor gushed. "He gave up his brilliant research career and crossed industries just for you. This shows how irreplaceable you are to him."

Ethan just smiled dismissively. "I love Emma. Anything for her is worth it."

He sounded sincere. But my gaze fixed on the company logo nearby. Nausea washed over me, stealing my voice.

Chloe Pharmaceuticals.

Chloe. Not Emma.

Who this company was really for? Crystal clear!

Ethan left me in the exam room. But the disgust inside me churned like a stormy sea.

For two years, in the name of loving me, he gave up scientific research and abandoned the profession he was most proud of. Even his friends gossiped behind his back, calling me his burden..

His mother guilt-tripped me: "Youre blind, but Ethans fine. He gave up everything and started this company for you. Do you really expect him to be tripped by you forever?"

I loved Ethan. I swallowed every insult, every sneer.

When they mocked me or told me to leave him, Id throw Ethans declarations of love back in their faces, silencing them.

Now, seeing that logo on the wall I couldnt imagine how pathetic I must have looked to them.

The nausea surged. I stood abruptly and fled the room, only to hear unmistakable sounds from next door.

"Why bring so many condoms?"

"I can't use 'em with her. I dont wanna waste."

"Pfft. You just wore me out last night, and now? Every time you bring her for her check-up, you get like this"

I didnt hear the rest.

I fled the hospital like a routed soldier, utterly humiliated.

Outside, the wind howled.