Chapter 2

I went to a different hospital alone for my checkup. When the doctor confirmed my vision was fully restored, a massive weight lifted off my chest. At least I would never have to live in darkness again.

But as I stepped out of the clinic, I ran right into Helen.

My heart leaped into my throat. Thank god I had instinctively brought my white folding cane. Otherwise, my secret would have been blown.

Helen rushed over and supported my arm, her face filled with confusion. "Nora? Why are you here alone? Where is Julian?"

I couldn't tell her he was currently in bed with Chloe. I lied, "He had an emergency meeting at the office."

"That idiot! How could he leave you to do this checkup alone? He’s asking for a beating."

She pulled out her phone to call him.

I tried to stop her, but it was too late. Julian picked up, but he sounded completely out of breath and incredibly angry.

"How many times do I have to tell you I'm busy? Why the hell do you keep calling?!" he snapped.

In the background, I could hear faint, breathless giggles.

Helen’s face hardened. She shot me a quick look, then stepped a few paces away, covering the microphone.

"Julian Sinclair, say that again. Where are you? What exactly are you doing?"

The line went dead silent. A few seconds later, Julian’s panicked voice came through. "Mom... sorry, I was in the middle of a meeting. I didn't see it was you."

"I don't care what kind of meeting it is. You do not leave Nora alone at the hospital. I’m giving you exactly ten minutes to get to the medical center, or don't bother calling me your mother ever again."

No matter how rebellious Julian wanted to be, he didn't dare cross his mother.

Helen took me to a nearby coffee shop to wait. It didn't take long before Julian arrived, looking flushed and disheveled, his eyes burning with suppressed rage when they landed on me.

Helen spent the next thirty minutes chewing him out. He sat in silence, but I could feel the sheer resentment radiating off him.

Once Helen left to run some errands, telling him to drive me home safely, his mask slipped completely.