Chapter 1

The year I turned six and lost my sight, Mom and I found Zane nearly frozen to death.

I lied and said I wanted a companion. I begged Mom to save him.

After Mom remarried, Zane became my only support. He even gave up his extraordinary talent for painting to study medicine, all for my eyes.

But even after becoming a skilled ophthalmologist, he still couldn't cure my blindness.

On my twenty-fifth birthday, Zane's female soulmate won a major art award. Zane locked himself in the study, scribbling furiously on paper.

His voice strained with suppressed emotion. "I'm writing you birthday wishes."

I smiled, about to step forward and hug him when my guide dog spoke.

"You dumb blind girl — he’s ripped up every painting he ever made. The backs are covered with 'Anna, go die.'"

"Don't walk forward! He put a live wire there. You'll die if you step on it!"

I froze in place. Then I forced a smile and kept walking.

"Zane, all your wishes will come true."

I took another step forward.

Zane suddenly called out. "Anna!"

His voice caught, thick with tears, but he said nothing more.

I pretended not to know. My tone stayed light and cheerful. "Does your head hurt again? Let me massage it for you."

My guide dog spoke again. "Fool, the wire is right in front of you!"

I was about to step down when the doorbell rang. A chair scraped violently across the floor.

"Watch out!"

A force slammed into me. I crashed to the ground. My brain buzzed. Pain exploded through my skull. I couldn't think clearly for several moments.

Zane's hands trembled as he helped me up. "Anna... I'm sorry... There was a wire just now. I was afraid you'd trip."

My guide dog barked twice. I understood what it meant.

"He’s lying, Anna. He really wanted to kill you just now! He only changed his mind at the last second."

My heart twisted. Why did I still feel sorry for him?

I forced myself to smile through the pain. "If there was a wire, it's my fault for not seeing it. I'm fine. It doesn't hurt."

Just then, Zane's phone rang.

I heard a woman's voice on the other end. "I know you're home. I won't leave until I see you. Zane, just... consider this my last time coming."

I recognized the voice. Victoria. Zane's talented painter friend.

She and Zane had met at an art gallery years ago.

Zane once told me Victoria was his best friend.

Victoria once told me Zane's paintings had the most spirit she'd ever seen.

But now one had become a renowned artist. The other had become a doctor stuck taking care of a blind person.

Zane hated being a doctor. He hated the smell of blood. After every surgery, he would vomit until he could barely stand.

After Victoria hung up, Zane shoved me aside. He rushed out desperately.

I lost my balance. The back of my head struck the sharp corner of the table. Blood poured out in waves.

I whimpered weakly. "Zane, it hurts..."

The door slammed shut.

I couldn't see, but my hearing was sharper than most people's. Even through the closed door, I heard Victoria and Zane talking outside.

Victoria's voice broke with tears. "Anna's eyes can't be cured. You can't take care of her forever! Your hands have so much more talent than mine! You should keep painting!"

But Zane interrupted her, his voice shaking. "Victoria, Anna gave me this life. How could I abandon a blind person..."

Victoria's voice filled with sorrow. "Then what about your dreams? What about... me?"

Zane stayed silent for a long time before answering hoarsely. "No matter what, we'll always be... best friends."

Victoria ran away crying. "I won't come looking for you again... When you figure it out, take this to my teacher."

I lay on the floor in a daze. Suddenly I remembered when I was thirteen.

Someone had bullied me. I limped home from the school for the blind. Zane was furious. He decided to transfer from his regular school to the blind school to watch over me.

When I was fifteen, Mom remarried. She grabbed my hands and cried.

"Anna, my new husband can't help me raise a blind child. Mom is really struggling. You understand, don't you? Besides, Zane will take care of you!"

Mom dragged her suitcase away. She left behind the old house and Zane.

Zane had just turned eighteen. Taking care of blind me wore him down until he was covered in ailments.

I kept crying and begging Zane to leave. To stop taking care of me.

But he always smiled and patted my head. "Silly girl, we'll be together forever."

A blind person like me that nobody wanted, if Zane hadn't held my hand and helped me grow up, I should have died long ago.

I should die somewhere Zane doesn't know about. Otherwise, he'll blame himself.