Chapter 8 Even Blind, She Still Chose Him
562 Words
The winter night snow fell softly and deeply, as if tangled with a thousand threads of emotion - drifting, swirling, gently filling the silence.
After Elizabeth left, Scarlett didn't head back to the lively, festive villa. Though the road ahead was dark and uncertain, she simply wanted a moment alone.
The street was blanketed in deep snow, every step beneath her feet crunching loudly, leaving behind a trail of footprints.
Her figure looked frail and thin under the streetlight, casting a long, lonely shadow.
Then suddenly, the ground slipped out from under her. She lost her balance and fell hard against the ground. Her mouth hit the stone edge of the road, and her white cane flew out of reach.
Scarlett lay in the snow, her hands scrambling frantically to find the cane. Without it, it felt like her legs were gone-every step forward could be safe ground or the edge of a cliff.
"Are you okay? Why are you out here alone?" A gentle yet worried male voice came from above her.
"William Grant?"
"That's me."
He bent down, helping her up and handing her the cane without missing a beat.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Were you looking for Elizabeth? She already left."
"I came to check on you. Honestly... what were you thinking?" William looked into her unfocused eyes, eyes that were stunning yet dull, filled with pain.
Scarlett knew exactly what he meant by "what were you thinking." He was talking about her eyes.
"Don't say anything," she cut him off. "It's already like this. It won't change."
"Hold still, you're bleeding," he said, focusing on a cut at the corner of her mouth. "Let me clean it up a bit."
William leaned in close, his breath brushing against her skin as he gently wiped the blood off.
"Does it still hurt? We'll put some medicine on it when we get back," he whispered.
Scarlett felt his closeness and instinctively shrank back.
"What are you two doing?" a cold voice suddenly cut through the silence from behind.
Ethan had just finished seeing guests off and realized Scarlett was missing. Panic hit first-how could a blind woman just wander off on her own? Had she lost her mind?
He hadn't expected to stumble upon a scene like this!
From his point of view, it looked like they had been kissing. Rage boiled up instantly.
Scarlett froze at the sound of his voice, as if caught doing something wrong. She quickly pushed William away, turning toward the voice in a panic.
"It's not what it looks like! We weren't doing anything!" she blurted out.
"Oh really?" Ethan sneered. "You think I'm blind too? You were that close and nothing happened?"
"Then what would count as something?"
"I... I..." Scarlett stumbled over her words, unable to defend herself.
William stepped in. "Mr. Johnson, you've got it wrong."
"She's my problem," Ethan snapped, yanking Scarlett's arm and staring at her coldly. "You're coming with me."
"William, just go. Thanks for helping me earlier. I'll clear things up," Scarlett said as she struggled to walk but still turned to speak.
William watched her fragile figure fade into the snowy night. He had so much he wanted to say but swallowed it.
Sticking around would only make things harder for her-because no matter how she's treated, there was only ever Ethan in her heart.
- Writer
