Eyes for Another’s Heart

In the fifth year of my marriage to Jordan West, he cheats on me with a blind woman. She's young, pretty, and demure. Jordan scours the best hospitals in the country to treat her eyes. In the end, he fixes his gaze on me and tells me he wants me to donate my corneas to her. "They're just a pair of eyes, Hazel. Please help her. Can you really stand by and watch as she withers away?" Chapter 1 Jordan West gave me an icy look as he shut the car door. "All I'm asking is that you donate your corneas to Josie. How can you be so heartless? She doesn't have any friends or family, and now, she's blind. How do you expect her to live?" He sounded like he was asking something normal of me. "I want you to think long and hard about this." Then, he left me by the roadside and drove off without hesitation. I watched as his car blended with the traffic and disappeared from my line of sight. The rain came unexpectedly and pulled me out of my reverie. Jordan had left me there. He'd forgotten it was my birthday. Then again, he wouldn't have turned back even if he remembered. Josie Lane was all he could think about now. Whenever he'd mentioned her in the past, he would always describe her as hare-brained. She constantly got the wrong documents and even spilled coffee on his suit. Once, she'd accidentally drank his bubble tea before apologizing. "I'm so sorry, Mr. West. I didn't know it was yours. I'm really sorry!" But he would forgive her once she pouted and acted cutely. He would never get mad at her. He only thought she was adorable. Initially, I hadn't taken this to heart. But later, I noticed he would have lipstick stains on his shirt. I would also catch whiffs of a fragrance that didn't belong to him. Meanwhile, Josie would post photos of them being intimate or affectionate on her Twitter. Jordan's face wasn't in the shot, but I knew it was him when I saw the mole close to his Adam's apple. He always said I was being paranoid. "We were just on a business trip. What are you thinking? "I told you not to go to my company to scare her, didn't I? She's just a fresh graduate! You're becoming more and more unreasonable!" The young woman he thought was innocent and naive was the one who'd asked me to meet her at the company. Then, she'd put on an act and made it so Jordan would conveniently see her weeping. "There's really nothing between me and Mr. West, Hazel. I'll leave the company if you don't believe me." Her trick successfully drove a wedge between Jordan and me. The only thing that hadn't gone according to her plan was that she would get into an accident and lose her vision. Nothing could be done about it. Because of that, Jordan hated me. He felt I was the one who'd forced Josie to leave, leading to her getting into that accident and going blind. So, he would spend time with her daily. He even bought her an apartment and hired a housekeeper for her. He was wholly focused on caring for her. He didn't even come home anymore. "Josie's emotionally unstable now that she can't see anymore. She'll end her life if I don't stay with her! Don't you feel guilty at all, Hazel? She wouldn't have ended up like this if not for you!" I watched him leave, feeling dazed. Jordan's actions matched with the things Josie had once told me. "Everyone knows that you and Jordan only married as part of a business alliance. He married you for his company's benefit. Now that your family has fallen from grace, do you think the five years you spent with him mean anything? "Don't think you're guaranteed to win if he has to choose between me and you. Think about it—he doesn't have to consider the consequences of falling for me. Don't you agree, Hazel?" Chapter 2 Things had turned out as Josie had predicted. I had nothing to guarantee that I would defeat her—my identity was the only thing going for me. "Using your identity as Jordan's wife to stay by his side isn't smart. Do you feel happy sleeping beside a man who doesn't love you?" Josie smiled. "Why don't you guess whether he'll drop everything to come after me if I were to leave?" She'd been correct again. She'd paid a much higher price than expected, though. None of us had seen it coming. Josie became depressed after losing her sight. She would scream about wanting to take her own life whenever Jordan wasn't by her side. And so, no matter where he was, he would head to her as quickly as possible. He'd even left me in a fire to go to her. I'd called him, but he'd merely said icily, "A fire? Can't you call the fire brigade? Do you have to get jealous whenever I'm with Josie, Hazel? Will you only be happy once she's dead?" He hung up without waiting for me to explain. The fire wasn't major, and the firefighters arrived in time. However, I'd fallen down the stairs in my panic. It was only after I'd been taken to the hospital that I was informed of my miscarriage. My child had come and left without a word, leaving me lost and helpless. I felt like the heavens were playing a prank on me. The only other thing that felt as ridiculous as that to me was when Jordan told me, "Josie needs a pair of eyes. Why won't you help her, Hazel?" "Why do you need my corneas for this? What makes her deserve this?" His expression turned ugly when he saw that I was mad. "She doesn't have friends or family, and she's lost her vision at such a young age. What do you expect her to do?" His tone had softened. "You're not the same as her, Hazel. You have me—I'll be your eyes. I'll hire someone to care for you and never leave you." It was mocking to me how serious he looked. "So, her vision matters, but mine doesn't?" "She's depressed now. She can't see, and she doesn't want to live anymore. How do you expect her to make it through this when she's so fragile?" His heartache for Josie was practically oozing from his eyes. He continued, "You're strong, Hazel. Besides, I'll care for you for life, even if you've lost your eyes. You can't sit by and watch a young woman die just like that, can you?" He'd looked at me earnestly, but I hadn't been moved. Ultimately, he'd heartlessly kicked me out of the car, allowing the rain to drench me. The storm clouds loomed over the city, and the torrential downpour blurred out the cityscape. It would soon wash away my love for Jordan, too. I looked at the gray sky, feeling dizzy. Then, I passed out in the rain. A kind soul sent me to the hospital. The first person I saw when I opened my eyes was Landon Boyd. I smiled wanly at him. "It's you again, Dr. Boyd." "You can't delay your treatment any longer. You won't make it past this month if you continue like this!" Landon looked grim. I rarely saw him smile. I was the one with the terminal illness, but he was the distressed one. "I can't make it to my 30th birthday, so I might as well enjoy the rest of my days to their fullest," I said. Chapter 3 Landon's expression darkened. During our college days, I used to tease him for his soft looks. However, these days, he looked more like a gloomy thundercloud. "Hazel, what are you smiling about? Do you think your life is a laughing matter?" He was furious. "Well, should I be crying then?" Taken aback, he didn't know how to respond for a moment. As a doctor, terminal illnesses were nothing out of the ordinary for him. The hospital ward had seen too many deaths and departures; too many sorrowful and painful things had happened here. Yet, I was the only one who still kept a smile on my face. "Accept the treatment, alright? I'm begging you," Landon said imploringly as he stood before me. However, he and I both knew that my health was deteriorating with every passing day. It had already reached a point where ordinary medical treatment could not keep my illness under control any longer. Chemotherapy would be too hard on the body, and it wouldn't be a pretty sight to behold either. I didn't want to approach the end of my life in that state. "I feel like having cake. Can I?" For my 29th birthday, this was probably the only wish that could come true. "Promise me that you'll undergo the treatment, and I'll go buy you cake." I nodded. Finally, Landon's fallen expression lifted. During tough times, people always craved a little sweetness. Just like in the past, whenever I was feeling down, Jordan would do all sorts of things to cheer me up. He would buy me small cakes of a variety of flavors and ask me to make a wish each day. Then, he'd make each of those wishes come true. He'd said that seeing me upset broke his heart and that he'd never want to see me cry. Those days had been very sweet. I'd always thought that the sweet feeling had come from the cake, but when Landon brought me a piece, I found that I didn't have much of an appetite. "Does it not taste good?" I shook my head. At that moment, I realized that it wasn't the cake I wanted, but the person. Bitterness spread through my heart. With it, pain followed. At midnight, I ran a high fever. The rain had left me dazed and confused, and I dreamed of Jordan. "Hazel, why are you so skinny? Who did this to you? I'll never forgive him! Were you missing me? There, there. I'm right here." The thunder woke me from my sweet dream, and my emotions plummeted to rock bottom. As though possessed, I dialed Jordan's number. The line connected quickly, but the voice that came from the phone wasn't his. "Hazel, are you calling to mock me again? If it wasn't for you, I would never have gone blind! Why must you keep messing with my life?" I should have known Josie would be the one to answer. Before I could reply, she burst into tears. "Hazel, why are you stirring up trouble?" This time, it was Jordan who spoke. "Did anything I said to you during the day even get through your head?" Tears pricked my eyes when I heard his voice. "Jordan, I'm running a fever." My mind was all over the place, so this was the only sentence I could muster. Whenever I got sick in the past, Jordan never left my side. I had gotten used to having him by my side at every moment, whether it was good or bad. But now, all I received was his aloof response. "Hazel, you've already used this trick enough times. Every time I come to look after Josie, you kick up a fuss. The last time, it was a fire. This time, it's a fever. Do you think I am as cold and heartless as you are? Josie is blind; she can't live on her own. Don't you know that?" As soon as Jordan said that, Josie began to sob. "I can't see. I don't want to live anymore. Just let me die—" "Josie, no!" The line went dead, and all that was left in the hospital room was the sound of my breathing. Chapter 4 The treatment was torture. I would always secretly run out behind Landon's back to look at the lush trees and the soaring butterflies—all those living things filled with such vitality. However, Jordan showed up at the worst possible time. Not to mention, the weather was horrible. I used my cap to cover my pallid face, turning around so that he wouldn't see me. Still, he immediately spotted me. "Hazel, why are you still at the hospital? Why haven't you gone home?" He spoke to me like he was interrogating a suspect. There wasn't a hint of warmth in his tone. "It's not like you go home a lot either." My response made him choke on his words. With a solemn expression, he handed me a document. "This is a divorce agreement. Since you refuse to donate your corneas to Josie, I'll need to take care of her for the rest of her life." I lifted my hand but didn't take the document. I'd never thought that we'd actually reach the point of divorce. "Don't worry, I made sure the division of assets would be fair for you. I'm leaving you the house." I sucked in a breath and finally let my hand drop. "Maybe another time." "What do you mean, another time? Josie's emotions are turbulent right now. The only thing that will cheer her up is a wedding. Would you rather see her depressed and miserable every day?" I was silent for a moment. Finally, I looked at him and said, "If she gets her vision back, we won't have to get divorced, right?" "Would you be willing to do that?" Jordan asked tentatively. "Bring her here tomorrow." He was overjoyed. "Okay." I hadn't seen him this happy in so long. It felt like the sky outside had brightened because of it. I had to admit that I still loved him, which was why I would give up my eyes to stay married to him. At least, I would still be his wife while I was still alive. However, the next day, Landon strongly opposed the idea. "I do not agree," he said, emphasizing each word. "Who are you to disagree?" Jordan asked in an impatient voice. "What does this have to do with you?" Landon rushed up to him and shouted, "Jordan, I've known you for so many years, but I never thought you were capable of this! How could you ask your wife to give up her eyes for your mistress? Are you even human?" Landon was getting too agitated, so I quickly stood in front of him. "Hazel, do you even know what you're doing? So long as I'm here, don't even think about it!" Landon tried to pull me away, but Jordan grabbed me. "She is my wife. You don't have any right to control her! Even if she can't see, I'll take care of her for the rest of her life!" Landon scoffed. "Hm, the rest of her life? Do you know she's—" "Landon!" I stared at him, hoping he'd let me preserve one last bit of dignity. His face tensed, and he swallowed the words he nearly spoke. "If you don't want me to say it, then don't proceed with the donation." "Alright," I answered. Jordan's expression soured. "Hazel, what the hell do you mean?" I smiled weakly. "I still want to behold the world with my eyes. Can't I do that?" Pursing his lips, Jordan stared at me with a gaze as deep as the abyss. "Say that again." "I don't want to give her my eyes." Without a moment of hesitation, Jordan slapped me harshly. Chapter 5 For a moment, I was in a daze. Jordan had hit me. Immediately after, he held my face in a panic and began to apologize. "I'm sorry, Hazel. I'd—I'd acted out of impulse…" Tears rolled down my cheeks. With shaking fingers, Jordan wiped them away, but Landon shoved him aside. "Jordan, you bastard! How dare you hit her?" Landon swung his fist at Jordan's face, and the latter didn't even try to dodge. If the security guards hadn't come to stop him, Landon might have beaten Jordan to death right there and then. My footsteps felt heavy as I slowly dragged myself to the hospital room. In the end, my nose started to bleed uncontrollably. Feeling my head grow heavy, I passed out. Jordan and Josie left afterward. With reddened eyes, Landon came to see me. Now, it was exhausting to even speak. "Landon, how come you haven't changed since college? I don't know how someone who loves fighting as much as you even became a doctor." I teased him for his hotheadedness. The medical profession required a lot of patience and calmness, but Landon had none of that. "Hazel, you also haven't changed. You're as foolish as ever." He was always calling me foolish for falling for Jordan. Jordan was someone who only cared about business and profits. No matter what it was, he was only concerned with the people who could bring value to him. He wasn't cut out for dating. Hence, we never dated. Before my family fell into ruin, I had secretly helped Jordan out in many ways. I had traced his footsteps everywhere until I turned 24 years old, and then I married him. In my short and uninteresting life, I'd made many decisions. Among them, there were choices I'd regretted and choices I'd made reluctantly. The only thing that I'd been more than willing to do was marry Jordan. "Landon, can you promise me two things?" "What if I don't want to?" "But I haven't even said anything yet." "I already know what you're about to say." "In that case, I'll take it as a promise." "I refuse. I'll never promise you that." He walked over and tucked me in. "Just keep on living. Don't think about anything else." I curled my lips, forcing a smile. Whenever I was left alone in the hospital room, the feeling of loneliness and emptiness would grow. It would hit me harder than the pains of my illness ever had, spreading through every inch of my body without restraint. Jordan sent me another text. "See you at the courthouse tomorrow morning." Suddenly, I was able to let go. Since I was about to die anyway, I should just fulfill his wishes. I didn't want Jordan's final memories of me to be negative, even if he wasn't going to spare me another thought in the future. "Okay." Removing my IV drip, I sneaked out of the hospital without Landon knowing once again. Jordan seemed to have made all the arrangements for this day. The divorce agreement had been done perfectly; I couldn't find a single thing wrong with it. He'd even initiated the start of the divorce cooling-off period a month in advance so that it'd be over by today. Nonetheless, I never asked for anything. "Congratulations. You can finally marry your true love." Pushing through the pain, I smiled at him stiffly. He stared at me without saying a word. "Why is your face so pale? What's the matter?" he suddenly asked, concerned. I took a step backward. "We're already divorced. Why do you still care?" "Are you sick?" "I'm in the pink of health. In fact, I'm doing much better than Josie. At least I'm clear-eyed and able to see, unlike her, who is blind." Those words must have touched a nerve because his face immediately fell. "That's enough! Josie is already pitiful as she is." "It's not like she's going to die. How is she pitiful?" Jordan's expression grew darker. "How could you be so vile? Of course she's not going to die. On the contrary, she's going to live a long life." "That's great."Suddenly, I gazed at him curiously. "What if I died?" His eyes widened. He stared at me in disbelief, because blood had begun to pour out of my nose.