Chapter 3

I quietly lay back on the bed, not telling anyone that my eyesight had returned.

Previously, because I couldn't see, I seldom went out.

Now, I preferred sitting in the courtyard.

I always wore headphones pretending to listen to music, though there was no sound at all.

Initially, Brady and Betty were cautious, fearing I might overhear something, and seldom came out.

Later, the two of them became unrestrained.

With twenty days left in the month, Betty threatened Brady, "If you still want to go back, chop down those two peach trees at the villa's entrance. Seeing them makes me feel annoyed."

Brady frowned, displeased. "Those are Della's favorites. They can't be cut down!"

Betty's face darkened. "You promised to stay with me for ten years and agreed to fulfill any requests I made during that time. Have you forgotten? If you don't cut them down, I'll tell Della the truth right now!"

She made a move as if to come towards me.

I remained oblivious, but Brady panicked. "Don't go! I'll cut them down!"

Betty smiled smugly, satisfied, and sat back down.

That afternoon, the two peach trees were uprooted.

Hurst squatted beside me, his gaze complex.

I asked softly, "What's going on outside?"

His voice was muffled, resigned. "A fortune teller suggested these peach trees bring bad luck, so they have to be cut. Della, you..."

"Oh." I raised an indifferent eyebrow. "Then let them be cut."

Hurst looked at me in surprise but said nothing more.

After a while, he took my hand and led me back inside.

In the following days, Betty used the same tactic.

She had Brady move the lilies from the courtyard and remove the koi from the pond.

Even the two stray cats I often fed disappeared.

Each time, Brady would be furious, but whenever Betty threatened to come to me, he would relent.

When the lilies were carried away pot by pot, he watched my figure through the low wall, whispering to himself, "It's okay, Della can't see anything now. When I return to her, I'll bring everything back!"

But could he really return smoothly?

I sneered inwardly and called Hurst over. In front of Brady, I kissed his lips.

Something slipped from Brady's palm.

I deliberately looked over and asked Hurst, "What was that sound?"

Hurst paused, his breath hitching, but he remained silent, only pressing my head closer to deepen the kiss.

His kiss was filled with lingering affection, perhaps because he knew only a few days were left, making it particularly cherished.

But more than that, it was a provocation.

It was a provocation towards Brady.

In these ten years, if I hadn't taken the initiative, Hurst rarely got close to me.

He would hold me, stay near me, but never went further.

Sometimes I got angry and asked him, "Do you think I'm boring because I'm blind?"

Hurst would always sigh, "Della, I just don't want to hurt you."

He didn't want to hurt me, didn't want to hurt his brother, didn't want to hurt himself.

So he endured, suppressed, restrained himself.

And what about the two next door?

Would Brady really remain completely loyal for ten years just for me?

I didn't believe it.

After the kiss ended, I breathed lightly and casually asked, "Brady, hasn't your brother returned from abroad yet?"

"Why do you ask?" Hurst visibly stiffened.

"Nothing, it's just been a long time since I heard any news about your brother."

Hurst relaxed, subconsciously glancing at the neighboring courtyard.

Brady was glaring over here with bloodshot eyes, clearly displeased with the kiss Hurst had just deepened.

Hurst withdrew his gaze, lowered his eyes. "If you want to see him, after some time..."

"I'm not interested." I interrupted, "It's just that I remembered meeting him once. I suppose the two of you don't get along well. As your wife, it's not appropriate for me to see him."

His hand at his side slowly clenched into a fist, his eyes dim.

I waited for a while, but he still didn't speak the truth, and I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Only seven days were left until the month was over.

Hurst, your chances were running out!