You Owe Me Forever

Chapter 4 The Truth I Never Told

　　Scarlett fumbled her way back to the room, bumping into things along the way. She ignored the messy scene behind her-not that she could see any of it anyway.

　　Ethan lost interest the moment Scarlett walked off without a word. His face turned cold. "Just go back. I'll find you tomorrow."

　　Harper Carter gave him a sharp look toward the direction Scarlett disappeared into. Though annoyed, she quickly turned on her sweet act. "Alright then, get some rest. Don't forget to come see me tomorrow, okay?"

　　Scarlett sat by the window, quietly crying. She reached up to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. Turns out, even someone blind could still cry. She thought she was done with tears.

　　She remembered those few days three years ago when she first lost her sight-utterly terrified, helpless, falling apart. Those were the darkest days of her life, and Ethan never once left her side.

　　He would tell her things like, "It's daytime now. There are flowers outside, birds chirping, people walking by, cars rushing past. And I'm right here, so you don't need to be scared."

　　At night, he'd say, "I'll hold you while you sleep. You're terrified of ghosts, right? And now all you see is darkness. Whenever you're scared, just cling to me. I'm not letting go."

　　Back then, she was truly thankful-to the sunshine, to the rain, and most of all to Ethan, who cared for her so gently.

　　She appreciated how he stayed with her through the worst days of her life, secretly wiping away his own tears, telling her jokes, and trying to cheer her up with silly stories.

　　A long time passed before Scarlett finally wiped away her tears. They couldn't go back to what they used to be. Those sweet memories belonged to the past now.

　　The Ethan standing in front of her now was more than happy to see karma do its thing and bring her down.

　　He wasn't shy about getting intimate with another woman right in front of her, and he wasn't shy about saying, "If Scarlett dies, you'll be Mrs. Johnson."

　　Ha... she was on her way out anyway, what was the point in fighting?

　　Let him be.

　　At some point, Scarlett fell asleep. When she woke up, everything was still black. It felt hopeless, like her world had no light left.

　　She didn't know what time it was, or what day. But judging by the sounds from outside, it was probably daytime.

　　"Ma'am, Miss Grant is here to see you."

　　"Scarlett, guess what I brought you?"

　　Elizabeth handed her something. Scarlett touched it gently and gave a light smile. "A white cane?"

　　"Yep, smart girl. It'll make getting around a bit easier."

　　"How was yesterday?"

　　"Same as always."

　　Elizabeth knew asking was pointless-Scarlett's answer was always the same: "Same as always."

　　"Scarlett, don't just stay cooped up in here. Let's go travel the world. Who knows? Maybe your eyes will get better."

　　"Thanks, Liz, really. But I don't want to go."

　　"I don't have much time left. I just want to stay by his side - one more day, if I'm lucky. As long as I can."

　　"What's even the point? That kind of guy? Let him rot!"

　　"I've known you two years now. Since that first night at the bar... he's always treated you like crap, and you still cover for him. I really don't get it-what is there to like about someone like that?"

　　"He's also a bit pitiful. I'm the one who made him who he is now."

　　Elizabeth looked into her hollow eyes and asked again, more curious than before, "So, what really happened between you two?"

　　"Why are you always saying he used to love you, but now he hates you this much? And what's up with his dad?"