Chapter 4

A quiet laugh came from the corner of the room.

I turned toward the sound.

Ethan walked toward me. His cold fingers caught my chin and tilted it up.

"Zoe, want me to remind you what you told the police — seven years ago?"

I froze. My mind went back.

Back then, his parents had wanted his kidney to save the family's adopted heir — the fake son they'd been grooming as their own.

I had fought to protect him. I went to the police and forced the situation into the open.

In the process, I was struck from behind. I spent seven days in the ICU.

I survived. But I never saw again.

"You told the police my family was trying to hurt me and force me to donate my kidney."

"But the truth, Zoe — my parents never wanted that. If they hadn't brought me home later and told me what really happened—"

"I might have believed your lie for the rest of my life."

His voice rose with every word. The grip on my jaw tightened.

"It's your fault."

"If it weren't for you, I never would have had to leave home. I wouldn't have spent those extra years struggling."

It felt like something had torn open in the center of my chest. A cold draft poured through. I could barely breathe.

Maya pulled Ethan back and leaned close to my ear, her voice almost gentle.

"Zoe, I'll be honest with you. By the third day after you lost your sight, Ethan and I were already together."

"We got an apartment. Every time he said he was working late, or on a business trip, or picking up extra shifts — he was with me."

"We've already met each other's families. And I'm carrying his child."

"The only one rotting away here has always been you."

Each word landed like a blade, driving in one at a time.

Despair spread from my chest out to my fingertips.

I let out a raw scream. I shoved Maya away like something had snapped inside me.

I grabbed whatever was closest and threw it at the two of them.

In the dark, something hit Maya and she cried out.

"Ethan — it hurts. My stomach—"

Then a hand came out of nowhere and cracked hard across my face.

Ethan shoved me to the ground. The back of my head hit the floor with a sickening thud.

Warm blood began to seep from the back of my skull.

The whole world seemed to press pause.

Silence.

I don't know how long I was out.

When I came to, I was in a hospital. An IV was in my hand.

The doctor handed me a freshly printed CT scan, visibly shaken.

"You're lucky they brought you in when they did. Another fifteen minutes and you wouldn't have made it."

"But there may be a silver lining here. The blood clot that's been pressing on your optic nerve — it's gone. Your sight should come back soon."

It was the first good news I'd had in longer than I could remember. My hands trembled.

I was about to thank the doctor when Ethan came storming through the door, fury on his face.

"Zoe, did you post that online?"

He slammed his phone against my face. My cheek stung immediately.

I pressed my hand to my face and kept my voice flat.

"Ethan, I'm blind — or did you forget? How exactly would I be posting anything?"

He paused for a split second, but held his ground.

"The angle in those photos — it could only be you."

"You've always been clever, Zoe. Don't tell me you couldn't find someone to help you."

I nearly laughed. I picked up his phone and looked.

My vision was still mostly white fog, but I could just barely make out a few blurred words.

Affair. Mistress. Best friend.

I didn't need to read the rest.

I tossed the phone back to him. My voice went cold.

"It wasn't me. If you've got nothing to hide, why does it matter?"

Ethan's expression flickered, but he softened his tone.

"In that case, come to the engagement party tomorrow. Set the record straight on our behalf, in front of everyone."

"Zoe, after everything you've put us through, this is your one chance to make things right."

"If you don't show up, I'm cutting off your monthly allowance. For good."

"Without me, who's going to take care of you?"