10
I stood at the doorway, forcing down my heartbreak as I took a deep breath and picked up my cane. Just like always, I tapped my way inside, pretending I couldn’t see.}
The moment Rusty saw me, he quickly stepped away from Gale. He was about to come over when she suddenly tilted her head up and bit down on his trembling lower lip.
He froze and instinctively glanced at me. But then, he remembered I was blind, so he relaxed.}
“Gale, wait. Shannon’s back. She’ll hear us,” he whispered.
But she followed his gaze and locked eyes with me. There was no fear in her look, only bold, smug defiance. She didn’t stop. In fact, her hands even roamed more freely now as she teasingly whispered, “She can’t see us. As long as we keep our voices down, we’re fine. Besides, you haven’t touched her in forever, and we haven’t done it for a long time. Come on. The baby’s stable now, so it’s just fine.“}
I said nothing and calmly walked toward the sofa. Then, I sat down beside them like I hadn’t seen a thing. But inside, I was breaking.”
Ever since I went blind, Rusty hadn’t touched me. He said it was because he didn’t want me to feel uncomfortable. But I knew the truth. He was disgusted by me. Disgusted by my lifeless eyes.
Their kissing turned hotter, and their breathy moans slipped through clenched teeth. I forced myself to play dumb.
“Rusty? Is that you?” I asked softly, tilting my head like I couldn’t tell.
He pulled away, panting as he straightened up and replied, trying to sound casual. “Yeah, just got back from work. I’ll cook for you once I’ve had a break.”
He even turned on the TV for me, putting on the news like he always did. So thoughtful, if only it wasn’t just to drown out the sounds of him making love to another woman right beside me.}
I stared straight at the screen, pretending I couldn’t hear the gasps, the wet sounds, and the raw passion beside me. My presence even got their excitement heightened as they became wilder and louder.
And thanks to the loud volume of the TV, their moans and heavy breaths were covered up.
But taking part in their play, I could only sit up straight, grip my trembling fingers tightly, and bury deep down the bitterness surfacing within me.
Minute by minute, their moans slowed until finally, it was over, along with crescent–shaped marks.
pinching of my fingertips, now covered with
Rusty, now satisfied, looked at Gale with eyes full of affection. His fingers gently played with a strand of her hair. Only after Gale glanced at me did he remember my presence and turn to me.
“Shannon, I’ve been craving your surf and turf stew. Can you make some now? Don’t forget to add scallops.“} Scallops??
Rusty was allergic to seafood.}
I already knew what this meant. But I still asked, like I needed to hurt myself a little more.
“Did you forget you can’t eat scallops?“}
He immediately froze and fell speechless, not knowing what to say.
Seeing the situation, Gale quickly jumped in and answered on his behalf, “Shannon, that’s for me. I’m pregnant. I need something nutritious.”
But Rusty was startled by her sudden interjection and got scared that I might suspect something. So, he scrambled to explain, “You were listening to the news so intently earlier, so we didn’t disturbed you.”
What a lousy excuse. But the old me might’ve believed it.”
Seeing that I didn’t press further, they urged me to start cooking.
But to let them think I was still blind, I still picked up my cane, walked into the kitchen, and began fumbling for pots on the stove. Then I heard it again, their passion and moans.
They simply couldn’t wait. She pulled him in right away, and he gave in like always.
But this time, afraid of hurting the baby, he picked her up and carried her into our bedroom.
After that, I heard the door shut. My hands trembled so badly I nearly dropped my phone.
Even knowing the truth, I still instinctively made excuses for him. Years of kindness didn’t disappear overnight.
But before I could fully lie to myself again, a gentle voice came through the phone speaker.
“I didn’t think you’d ever call me again. Have you been okay all these years, Shannon?”
It was Clayton Loxley.%
