Blind Wife

Mr. Johnson, aren't you afraid your wife will find out?

"She's a deep sleeper and visually impaired. Even if she suspects something, what can she do?"

They whispered, unaware that I was watching them through the crack in the door, engaging in their careless actions.

I stood there trembling, clutching a fruit knife.

I regretted not recovering my sight earlier. If only I had, maybe my parents wouldn't have died.

1

If I hadn't seen Sean making me fill out a massive insurance policy on the day I regained my sight, I might have continued pretending to be blind.

When I was in elementary school, I fell and hit the back of my head, resulting in blindness. The blood clot never disappeared over the years, and I thought I'd never see the light of day again.

Until the hospital called with news of my parents' car accident. I panicked and rushed to the hospital, but I missed a step and tumbled down the stairs, clutching my aching head as I made my way there. I only managed to call Sean, who quickly booked a flight back.

As always, he was the ideal husband, attentive and caring.

I never minded his modest upbringing. After all, I was my parents' only child, and because of my blindness, they were extremely cautious in choosing Sean as a good son-in-law.

My parents were severely injured, and the hospital issued several critical condition alerts within a day.

I was bedridden from the shock, and Sean handled everything.

One morning, I was surprised to find that I could vaguely see things-light, blurry shapes-and then everything became clearer, so clear that I could read the words.

I stumbled out of bed to tell Sean the news, only to bump into him handing me an insurance form.

"Elaine, what happened to your parents scared me. I'm really worried about what would happen to you if something happened to me.

This is an insurance policy I bought. If anything happens to me, it will at least provide you with some security."

I glanced at the insurance contract and saw my name under the insured.

The beneficiary was him!

My heart suddenly sank, and when I met Sean's gaze, I instinctively pretended to be blind again, putting on a heartbroken act, though it was not entirely an act.

"Sean, promise me you'll never leave me. Nothing will happen to you, and I will never sign this insurance form. If something happens to you, I'll go with you."

Sean was silent, then said, "Elaine, with what happened to your parents, I'm also very anxious. You have to let me have some peace of mind."

I broke down in tears, shaking my head, "Sean, let me think about it."

Sean was busy with his university's associate professor selection, and as I watched the door close behind him, I dared not linger my gaze.

Because of my blindness, there were cameras everywhere in the house except the bathroom. If I were discovered, I didn't know what would await me.

I originally thought my parents' car accident was just an accident until my mother-in-law and brother-in-law appeared before me.

When they showed up, I was stunned, then my eyes fell on their large bags of luggage. My brother-in-law, Erik, grinned and said, "Sister-in-law, why are you standing there? Aren't you happy to see us?"

"Mom, why are you here?"

It takes three days by train from my mother-in-law's place to here.

I remember it's a remote area. When I went back with Sean, the car ride was bumpy, and the driver kept reminding us to sit tight as we passed narrow cliff edges.

That was just the road into the village, which took two hours of careful driving.

Getting out of the village to the town required several vehicle changes.

Sean was worried I'd be exhausted and wanted to rent a car in the county, but he came back saying there were no cars available.

So, including the train and several transfers, it took at least three days.

Yet, it had only been just over two days since my parents' accident.

"Oh, we heard about the accident with your parents and came to help take care of you.

With your eyesight, you need assistance."

My mother-in-law said as she started unpacking her luggage.

"Mom, let me help you."

I reached out, and my mother-in-law glanced at my vacant eyes, muttering something under her breath before smiling, "You rest. My things are a mess; I'll sort them myself."

I saw her mouth the word "unfortunate," and my heart sank. I wondered if all my previous efforts to be considerate were met with such disdain behind my back.

She walked into my parents' room and placed her belongings inside.

"Mom, I didn't know you were coming today. I'll have Sean set up the sofa bed for you tonight."

In the past, when my mother-in-law visited, she always slept on the sofa bed and never entered my parents' room without permission. If there was anything, she would gently knock and wait on the sofa bed after getting their consent.

After I married Sean, because of my blindness, we never moved out and lived with my parents in their house.

So, my mother-in-law had stayed here two or three times, always sleeping on the sofa.

I made a move to feel for the sofa when I heard my mother-in-law say, "We're here now. Your parents are still in the hospital. The room is empty anyway."

Then, I watched as she took my parents' clothes from the closet and held them up against herself, while Erik whispered to my mother-in-law.

If I were still blind, I would have thought they were just putting things away in my parents' room and wouldn't have seen my mother-in-law start wearing my mom's clothes and rummaging through her boxes. Erik, thinking I had returned to my room, whispered, "Brother said this house will soon be ours. We've finally made it."

I felt a chill down my spine, suppressing my anger, and said I was going out for a walk before heading downstairs.

In the park of the community, I lingered for a while and ran into our neighbor, Melanie.

Melanie and my mom never got along. When Sean and I got married, she predicted our family would be left with nothing. My mom retaliated by throwing dishwater at Melanie's doorstep, causing quite a scene between the two families.

"Elaine, I heard about your parents. Your husband is doing quite well; I see him rushing around three times a day. I must have misjudged him before."

I listened coldly, feeling even more disheartened.

Even Melanie was fooled by appearances. Who would believe me if I told them the truth?

My mother-in-law and brother-in-law came under the guise of helping me through tough times, while I felt like a fly caught in a web, with everyone thinking I was living in blissful ignorance.

After Melanie left, I met Brielle from the community committee.

Brielle is a respected community member, with three generations of her family having served as police officers. She is well-liked and known by everyone here.

I handed my phone to Brielle, fumbling to use the voice assistant to open the surveillance app, and told her my mother-in-law was kindly helping me, but I couldn't do much in return.

Brielle initially smiled, but after watching the video, she seemed frozen in place.

She watched silently as the surveillance footage showed my mother-in-law rummaging through my mom's jewelry box, taking some pieces and putting them in her bag, while Erik went through my dad's collection of watches.

Brielle glanced at me, but I acted as if I knew nothing.

"My mother-in-law isn't well. Last time she was sick, my parents took her to see Dr. Sloane. Even so, she traveled a long way to be here after hearing the news."

I looked touched, yet on the surveillance, my mother-in-law was already busy in the kitchen.

She prepared two meals: one was a soup made with eggs and an old hen from their hometown, using truffles.

The other was just some vegetables and a pitiful amount of rice.

I turned off the video, not letting Brielle watch any further.

Brielle's expression was particularly stern, her brows furrowed tightly, while I smiled and bid her farewell before heading back.

The rich aroma of chicken soup filled the kitchen as I tasted the bland vegetable porridge, listening to my mother-in-law talk about my parents' condition improving and her plan to take the chicken soup to the hospital soon.

"You've been feeling unwell these past few days; eating something light is better for you."

Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock at the door.

My mother-in-law went to open it and saw Brielle bringing some fruit, not having the heart to turn her away.

Brielle came in with a bright smile.

"This is a little token from our committee. How are Elaine's parents doing?"

Brielle glanced at the dining table, paused for a moment, then casually handed the fruit to my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law looked worried and said, "Not too well, I'm afraid."

She sighed heavily, not even extending the usual courtesy of inviting Brielle to stay for a meal.

Brielle didn't linger long and soon left.

In the afternoon, I went to the hospital with my mother-in-law to see my parents. The doctor directly told me that their injuries were severe, and they might not make it through the night.

Sean accompanied me after work, sending my mother-in-law home first.

I sat by my parents' bedside, tears streaming down my face uncontrollably, when suddenly Sean's phone rang.

He glanced at me and went to the hallway to take the call.

Shortly after, a nurse I didn't recognize came by.

I wondered why this pretty girl was here and glanced at her name tag.

Dina.

She rushed to Sean, and they kissed passionately. From behind the door, I calmly took out my phone and captured the tender scene in the empty hospital corridor.

Sean only turned back to tell me he had to pick up some important documents from school and left in a hurry.

I watched their departing figures coldly, when suddenly I received a call.

"Elaine, it's Adrian."

Adrian was a rural child my parents sponsored, now in his senior year of college.

I thought he was calling to ask about my parents, but I heard him crying on the other end.

"Elaine, you must be careful of those around you.

I couldn't protect your parents. Maybe you should divorce Sean now."

Shocked, I asked him, and he revealed that my parents had secretly asked him to follow Sean and even installed a bug in Sean's car.

Adrian told me that a week ago, my parents made a will in front of Sean, leaving all their assets to me.

"The inheritance left to you is your personal property. If you divorce, Sean won't get a penny."

My ears buzzed in my ears, the phrase "a week ago" especially jarring.

I could guess why they made the will in front of Sean, likely as a threat or warning. But what had Sean done to make my parents decide this, without telling me...