Chapter 1

"Divorce me," Chloe whispered. Those words sounded dreadful to Leonel, her husband. His eyes, accustomed to looking at his wife with disdainful gazes, now widened in disbelief. Even his mouth, which usually spoke with a sarcastic and ungrateful tone, gaped open wide from the shock. Inside his head, those words repeated like broken tape, continuously playing without stopping. "What?" Chloe's ears could still hear whatever was being said on the flat-screen TV in the living room of their large house. However, her eyes couldn't see the scenes playing there. She had to feel around first to lift her favorite jasmine teacup. When she recalled the incident six months ago, Chloe felt the urge to curse God. "Chloe, what do you mean by talking like this?" As usual, Leonel started raising his voice when he spoke to Chloe. For some reason, many things had changed since his wife left the hospital—especially Chloe's increasingly annoying attitude. Gone was the compliant Chloe, the one who spoke softly and rarely contradicted Leonel whenever he said something. But now? "My words were clear enough for you to hear, Leo." "But why?" The black-haired woman smirked sarcastically. Her lips curled into a grin, accompanied by a sharper gaze. Although she couldn't see her husband, she was confident that her eyes conveyed her feelings. "Why?" Then, not long after, a mocking laugh escaped her somewhat pale lips. Instantly, Leonel felt a lump in his throat. He couldn't accept Chloe's behavior. For the first time in their five-year marriage, he saw his wife giving him a pretty terrifying look. That grin especially. The gentle, loving, obedient gaze disturbing Leonel all this time had vanished. Chloe's brown eyes looked resolute, unwavering. "I will not divorce you." Once again, Chloe sneered. This time, she spat to her left side with even more impertinence. "After all your betrayals? With me being this damaged? And your intimacy with her here?" "You were the one who asked, Chloe. Forgot?" Chloe always remembered the request she made since returning from the hospital. Her memory never forgot the day when that incident happened. She witnessed the affair with her own eyes becoming more and more prominent. Chloe admitted that Leonel indeed had another mistress. But she didn't expect it to be displayed so clearly day by day. It was as if intentionally done. Her heartache had reached its peak. Her car got involved in a single-car accident, causing her to fall into a coma for two months. To make matters worse, she had to endure semi-permanent blindness and ongoing therapy sessions. Her life now was genuinely tragic. That's why she asked her husband to marry his mistress. It had yet to be fully accomplished to live together in this house. Leonel suddenly hesitated in taking a stand but let that woman roam freely in this house. A sudden feeling of compassion arose in Leonel's heart when he learned what Chloe was going through. Leonel took a long breath and tried to hold his wife's hand. He had never done this before. Chloe usually initiated their interactions. Even when touching Chloe in their bedroom, Leonel was always reluctant. Chloe's presence had never truly felt the depths of this man's coal-black eyes. But now, for some reason, Chloe's words made him feel a little afraid. Although all this time, Leonel had made every effort to divorce Chloe. Even his affair with Ester was done openly, regardless of how much Chloe cried over his behavior. Ester was the woman he had loved since college, but his influential family opposed her profession, especially the role model, Robby Grisham—his grandfather. Leonel couldn't defy the command given by Robby Grisham regarding his meticulously arranged marriage to Chloe. She was an innocent and naive girl, though quite beautiful, but more was needed for Leonel. Chloe was too obedient. Whatever he said, Chloe would do. No objections. No protests. And she never refused. However, his wife's figure has changed in front of him. Since waking up from a coma after the accident, Chloe has been very different. The Chloe that Leonel knew no longer exists. She has transformed into someone else who is cold and harsh when speaking, and she doesn't want Leonel around, whether it's accompanying her or just talking to her. Chloe only wants to meet her friend, Adrianna Jacob. Leonel also knows Adrianna since their marriage. They have been friends since college. Initially, Leonel didn't pay much attention to the doctor's warnings about Chloe's psychological and traumatic condition. But after seeing her rejection and how she didn't hesitate to throw anything near her to keep Leonel away, Leonel started to take notice. Not to mention the outbursts and screams every time he approached. Now, he can only communicate with the woman who is still his wife. Before, Chloe was always willing to sit for hours to wait for Leonel to come home. Or she would go to great lengths to bring him lunch at his office. Although Leonel never responded positively, Chloe never gave up. Throughout these five years, Chloe always wanted to prove to her husband that she was a faithful wife. She always smiled and remained patient. And now, that person is gone. Disappeared, although based on the analysis of the doctors who handled her during her treatment at the hospital, all the changes Chloe has experienced will gradually improve. Although it requires prolonged therapy and a very supportive approach, that's not to mention what surprised Leonel the most. One thing that also worried Leonel was Chloe's vision. He was worried that Chloe would never regain her sight. "I only did it in your dream, Chloe!" Leonel exclaimed. He rose from the comfortable sofa he had just sat on. His eyes were red as he stared at his wife, who challenged his gaze. Her brown eyes looked empty. Occasionally, her eyes moved slowly, but Leonel knew they couldn't be used as before. His wife was blind, although it couldn't be said to be permanent yet. But still, it was undoubtedly difficult for Chloe to live her life now. And that brought a sense of pity that deeply settled in Leonel's heart, especially when he remembered a large gift box, which was her lunchbox, lying on his office desk. There was a note that Leonel knew was written by his wife's hand. 'Happy anniversary, my husband. May we be happier in the future?' And then the accident happened, leaving a disturbing hole in Leonel's mind. *** During the day, as Chloe closed her eyes, a sudden pain took over her head. It was pounding so intensely that she grabbed her hair tightly. "ARGH!" She shouted, gasping for breath. She reluctantly woke up. There was nothing her eyes could enjoy except darkness and a faint light. The sound of impact, screeching tires, and cries for help from herself invaded her dreams again. It wasn't easy to forget the terrible event in her life. Although she had tried hard to eliminate her nightmares, they often recurred without being prevented.