Chapter 3 Blinded

For several seconds, I couldn't move.

My fingers tightened around the folder as I stared through the glass panel, desperately wishing my eyes had deceived me.

Daniel's hands rested on Vanessa's waist, while her fingers tangled in his hair. Their lips were locked together with a familiarity that suggested this wasn't their first kiss.

My husband was kissing my sister.

The two people I loved most were betraying me in a hospital room while I stood outside, barely strong enough to remain on my feet.

Then Vanessa laughed.

"Honestly, Daniel, I still can't believe you actually married her," she remarked, leaning against the pillows. "Of all the women in the world, you had to choose my sister."

Daniel brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Don't start this again, Vanessa. You know why I had to marry her. We discussed this long before the wedding."

My heart pounded painfully.

Why I had to marry her?

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

"I know. Your precious company needed her brilliant mind, and you couldn't let another man get his hands on such a valuable asset."

Daniel chuckled.

"Elena is exceptionally intelligent. She understands business better than most of my executives, and her strategies have helped us grow faster than I anticipated."

My stomach twisted.

The folder beneath my arm suddenly felt unbearably heavy.

I'd spent countless nights reviewing his company's documents, searching for opportunities to secure his future. I'd done it because he'd asked me to, because I'd believed helping him succeed was one way to show my love.

Yet here he was, speaking about me as though I were nothing more than a useful employee.

Vanessa burst into laughter.

"And the poor woman actually believes you married her because you love her. Do you remember how furious I was when you announced the wedding? I couldn't believe you chose that self-righteous woman instead of me!"

Daniel took her hand and kissed her fingers.

"You were furious, sweetheart, but eventually understood that marrying Elena was the smartest decision for the company. I promised you nothing would change between us."

My vision blurred.

I remembered his proposal, the nervous smile on his face, and the way he'd held my hands while promising to spend his life making me happy.

Had he been thinking about profits while I was falling in love with him?

Vanessa sighed, resting her head against his shoulder.

"And those ridiculous business trips? I spent years disappearing whenever I wanted to see you while you played the devoted husband. Keeping this secret was exhausting."

Daniel kissed her forehead.

"Those trips were necessary, darling. Besides, Elena never suspected anything. She trusted me completely, which made everything easier."

My knees weakened.

Vanessa's unexplained disappearances, Daniel's business trips, and the countless times I'd defended his absence suddenly connected.

They had been together all along.

While I worried about my husband and sister, they had been laughing at me.

"Oh, speaking of Elena," Vanessa suddenly remarked. "Did you know she donated blood to me again? Apparently, she collapsed afterward, but still rushed here when she heard I was awake."

She burst into laughter.

"Can you imagine being so desperate to prove you're a good sister? I've spent years making it obvious I don't want her around, yet she keeps coming back like a pathetic puppy."

Daniel chuckled.

"Elena has always been like that. Give her someone to rescue, and she'll destroy her own health trying to do it."

My lips parted, but no sound emerged.

I'd given Vanessa my blood because I couldn't bear losing the only family I had left. Despite our strained relationship, I'd secretly hoped we'd eventually become sisters in the truest sense.

And she was laughing about it.

"Well, at least she's useful," Vanessa continued, smiling at Daniel. "You get your brilliant wife to build your company, and I get to keep the man I actually love. Everyone wins, don't you think?"

Daniel kissed her again.

Something inside me broke.

I stepped away from the door, clutching the folder against my chest as tears spilled down my cheeks. My entire body trembled, and for a moment, I feared I'd collapse.

I couldn't stay.

I couldn't listen to another word.

The documents I'd brought suddenly seemed ridiculous. I'd thought I was bringing Daniel a fortune. Instead, I'd brought proof of how thoroughly I'd allowed myself to be used.

I hurried away before either of them discovered my presence.

By the time I reached my car, I could barely see through my tears.

I dropped the folder onto the passenger seat and sat motionless behind the wheel, staring at my trembling hands.

Daniel had never loved me the way I loved him.

Vanessa had never wanted me as her sister.

All those years I'd spent trying to make our little family work had meant absolutely nothing to either of them.

"Oh..."

A sob escaped my throat. I pressed both hands over my mouth, desperately trying to contain it.

I wanted to call Adrian, but he'd ask questions I couldn't answer without breaking apart. I wanted to go home, but the thought of entering the house Daniel and I shared made my chest ache.

For the first time in years, I had nowhere I wanted to be.

Eventually, I started the engine and pulled onto the quiet road, wiping my cheeks as I struggled to concentrate.

My vision kept blurring. I knew I should stop, but I couldn't bear sitting alone with the memories crowding my mind.

I'd just turned onto another street when a figure appeared in front of my headlights.

A young man dressed in dark trousers and a black shirt was crossing the road.

I slammed my foot against the brake and yanked the steering wheel, but the impact came before I could stop completely.

A sickening thud echoed through the darkness.

My breath caught as the vehicle lurched to a halt.

For several seconds, I sat frozen, gripping the steering wheel while my mind struggled to comprehend what had happened.

Then I looked through the windshield.

The young man was lying motionless on the road.

"No!" I whispered, scrambling out of the car. "No, no, no!"

I hurried towards him, nearly stumbling over my own feet. My legs felt weak, and my hands trembled, but years of medical training forced me to focus.

I dropped to my knees beside him.

"Sir? Can you hear me?" I called, reaching for his wrist.

For one terrifying moment, his eyes fluttered open. They were a piercing shade of grey, cold even through the haze of pain.

Instead of answering, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist with startling strength.

"Don't..." he rasped, his voice rough and low. "Don't... take me... to a hospital."

"You've been hit by a car. You need medical attention!" I insisted, panic rising in my throat.

"I said no hospitals," he repeated, tightening his grip.

Then his fingers suddenly went slack. His eyes rolled backwards, and his head slumped against the asphalt as consciousness slipped away.

I froze.

My heart nearly stopped as I pressed my fingers against his neck, desperately searching for a pulse.

For one terrifying second, I felt nothing.

Then, beneath my trembling fingertips, I detected it.

A pulse.

Weak, but there.

I could still save him!