My Blindness Couldn’t Stop His Old Love

Everyone in high society knew that the cold-hearted billionaire Jackson had given up on his childhood friend he'd waited seven years for and started dating.

More importantly, his new girlfriend was disabled, with only one eye.

When Jackson brought me to my first charity gala, everyone was startled by my purple cosmetic prosthetic eye.

But Jackson pulled me into his arms.

"She became like this to save me. If any of you say one more word, you're making an enemy of me."

I looked up at him with complete dependence while others retreated awkwardly.

Then suddenly, a gentle female voice came from behind me.

"Is that Jackson? Long time no see."

The body holding me instantly tensed up, and even his heartbeat accelerated.

I suddenly understoodthis was his childhood friend, the one he loved but couldn't have.

Jackson's arms around me recoiled as if shocked, and the usually cold man actually started stuttering.

"Youyou're not in Australia?"

The woman paused, then smiled.

"I missed you, so I came back."

My heart trembled and clenched tightly.

Fortunately, Jackson frowned.

"Aren't you in a relationship? What are you talking about?"

The woman laughed.

"We have twenty years of history. Fate brought us together before we were even born. Between friends, can't I miss you?"

Jackson seemed to remember something, his expression shifting slightly as he took half a step forward, creating distance between us.

"Violet, you've been gone so many years, I thought you"

Violet tilted her head, interrupting him.

"Jackson, is this your girlfriend? Her eye"

Jackson snapped back to attention and grabbed my arm, yanking me behind him.

Pulled by the sudden force, I lost my balance and ended up kneeling solidly behind him.

Laughter erupted around us.

Jackson didn't notice my reaction at all, only explaining on his own.

"Don't misunderstand. She's disabled. I'm only taking responsibility because her parents entrusted her to meI pity her!"

I sat collapsed on the ground, looking up at him helplessly.

Just a responsibility?

What about the man who felt sorry for my altitude sickness on the snowy mountain and gave me his only oxygen canister despite his own pale face?

What about the man who proposed to me on one knee at sunset, who rented a luxury cruise ship on the ocean to celebrate my birthday?

What about the man who loved everything about me, who once took care of all the work for my parents and friends? Was I really just a responsibility to him?

Violet ruffled his hair like she used to.

"I understand. Our Jackson has always had the softest heart."

"The auction is about to start. I'll head over first. You bring your... girlfriend and come sit down too."

Violet, wearing a gilded gown, walked away with extraordinary grace.

Only then did Jackson remember I was still sitting on the ground. He reached out and pulled me up, full of apology.

"Amy, let me explain..."

I nodded. "Go ahead, explain."

Jackson opened and closed his mouth.

"I've known Violet for so many years. She found a boyfriend who's an heir to a multinational corporation, but I... Amy, you understand, right?"

His cautious manner was completely different from when he held me in his arms earlier, telling everyone "don't mock me."

I couldn't help wondering if coming here with him today was the right choice.

People surged around us, but I couldn't hear a word.

Jackson's mouth opened and closed, finally turning into a sigh.

Violet's voice came again.

"Jackson, the auction is starting. Come sit."

Jackson squeezed my wrist.

"Be good. She's an outsider, you're family. When we get home tonight, I'll apologize."

"I did my research before coming. I promised you that jade piece that can be used as an eye massager. You need to take care of your eye more so it doesn't atrophy."

Jackson pulled me into the venue, but looking left and right, there was no seat for me.

Jackson's expression soured as he raised his hand, about to call a waiter, when Violet's pale hand pressed down on his and pulled it back.

Violet smiled gently.

"Jackson, I switched the seats. We haven't seen each other in so many yearsI have so much I want to say to you. My seat is over there. Could this young lady sit there instead?"

I keenly noticed Jackson's gaze fixed on their intertwined hands, his eyes filled with deep joy.

Having been with him this long, I'd heard about their history.

Simply put, Violet kept Jackson as a backup.

When she had a boyfriend, she wouldn't say a word to him for a year or two.

When she didn't have a boyfriend, she'd occasionally have physical contact with him but never cross that line.

And now, this was just a woman's sense of crisis.

After all, her former lapdog was dating someonehow could she feel good about that?

So little favors like holding hands, getting close, huggingViolet was now giving these to Jackson.

Violet shook his hand twice, and Jackson immediately came back to his senses, looking at me apologetically.

"Amy, go sit over there. We don't get to see each other often, okay?"

I remained unmoved, my feet rooted to the spot.

Jackson shook off my hand, tightening his grip on Violet's hand.

"Amy, are my words meaningless now? Don't make me say it twice!"

He pulled Violet toward the front row. Violet looked back at me with an apologetic smile, her eyes full of smugness.

Only when the waiter impatiently reminded me to take my seat did I react, slowly walking to the corner seat.

I didn't know if it was psychological or what, but my prosthetic eye hurt terribly, sore and swollen.

In the darkness, I secretly removed it, leaving only one eye to watch them.

Throughout the entire auction, the two of them had their heads together, whispering about who knows what. Jackson didn't give me a single glance.

Not until that jade piece appeared did the atmosphere reach a small climax.

This thing wasn't rare, just natural, polished by a master, and hyped up by these people, so naturally its value soared.

After several rounds of bidding, it had been driven up to 3 million.

Jackson lightly raised his hand.

"Ten million. Stop bidding, I'll take it."

Everyone was shocked by his big gesture.

The thing was valuable, but not worth ten million.

The waiter was thrilled and immediately handed the jade to him.

Under everyone's gaze, Jackson held the velvet box and slowly walked toward me.

The camera followed Jackson's steps, projecting onto the big screen.

The spotlight timely shone on me.

Jackson knelt on one knee, holding up the jade.

"Amy, I"

His words didn't finish, but his smile froze on his face.

I was somewhat bewildered.

Not until gasps arose around me did I realize I'd forgotten to put in my prosthetic eye.

I immediately lowered my head, even though the bright light made me tear up.

But my body was bumped by someone, and the purple prosthetic eye in my hand rolled to the ground.

Violet, who had rushed over, screamed and threw herself into Jackson's arms in fright.

"Jackson, the eyeball, the eyeball!"

Jackson immediately stuffed the jade into his pocket, scooped Violet up in a princess carry, and walked away.

Everyone whispered.

"My God, did you see that? She actually has a fake eye!"

"So terrifying, her eyelid is tightly shut. I've never seen someone like this beforeI'll definitely have nightmares tonight!"

"Didn't Mr. Jackson say she saved him? I think she's just exploiting his gratitude! She probably figured she couldn't get married in the future so she latched onto Mr. Jackson!"

Mocking voices filled the auction hall.

Those with small courage didn't dare look at me, while the bold ones kicked my prosthetic eye around like a football.

Not until the waiter who had told me to find my seat roughly yanked me up from my chair, yelling at me to get lost, did I come to my senses.

My face burned as if I'd been slapped. I didn't even grab my shawl before turning and running.

The auction was held in a villa on a mountaintop in the suburbs. Without a car, I couldn't get back at all.

After running two miles, because I couldn't see on one side, my heel accidentally got stuck in the mud and I fell into a mud pit.

Holding back tears, I dialed Jackson's number.

The phone rang for dozens of seconds before being answered just as I was about to hang up.

His lazy voice came through.

"What is it?"

I choked out.

"Please, come pick me up. Everyone mocked me, I fell..."

Jackson's voice tightened.

"You fell? Where are you?"

But Violet's voice came through the phone.

"Jackson, I drank too much at the party and my head hurts terribly. My dad told you to take care of meyou wouldn't abandon me for a woman, would you?"

Jackson was silent for a moment.

"I'll transfer you money. Take a cab home. I'll come see you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Amy, you went too far. How could you take out your eye at such an important occasion?"

"Do you know that Violet is timid? She's even afraid of walking at night. Now she stepped on your eyeballyou really scared her to death!"

With that, he hung up and transferred me 100 dollars.

But he didn't think about the fact that this was a villa area halfway up the mountain. Apart from people specifically coming to the gala, where would I find a cab?

Cold and in pain, I tried to curl myself into a ball, leaning against a tree trunk and falling asleep.

The night dew was heavy. I was woken by the cold several times.

But each time I checked my phone, there was no call from Jackson.

Not until the next morning, when I saw a taxi that had just dropped off passengers at the villa area, did I rush out from the darkness and block the car.

My hair covered my face, and only the mottled stains on my clothes could be seen.

The taxi driver was startled.

"Damn, are you trying to die?"

I said carefully.

"I'm sorry, I got lost and slept outside all night. Please take me home. I'll pay you double, okay..."

The taxi driver looked at me and counted on his fingers.

"Fare is 300, car wash fee 500, emotional distress fee 200. If that works, let's go."

I nodded and pulled open the car door to get in.

The car sped all the way to the home Jackson and I shared.

I paid 1,000 before getting out of the car.

The moment my finger touched the handle, the fingerprint recognition opened the door.

What greeted me was a pair of familiar golden high heels, and Jackson's shoes beside them.

I trembled as I pushed open the bedroom door.

Violet was wearing my camisole nightgown, her white back exposed as she slept on her stomach on the bed.

Although Jackson was sleeping beside her in pajamas, his hand rested on her hair, unconsciously stroking it.

I was furious.

"You cheaters!"

The two woke with a start, shocked to see me like this.

Especially Violetshe screamed.

"A ghost!"

Jackson got out of bed barefoot and ran to my side.

"Amy, whathow are you just getting back now? What happened last night? Didn't I tell you to take a cab home?"

He anxiously turned me left and right. When his gaze landed on my swollen ankle and angry eyes, he looked away.

"Youyou misunderstood. We just lay down together, like when we were kids. We didn't do anything!"

I laughed coldly.

"A man and woman alone in one bed, and she's wearing my clothesyou're saying nothing happened? Violet, don't you have a boyfriend? Why are you here disrupting our lives! You homewrecker..."

Before I finished, a crisp slap landed on my face.

Jackson stared at his palm in horror.

"I'm sorry Amy, I didn't mean toI just can't stand"

Violet smiled.

"I didn't expect it, Jackson. After all these years, you're still the samewhen you hear someone insult me, you automatically step in to defend me. I didn't care about you for nothing!"

"One-eyed lady, I think you misunderstood. Jackson and I have known each other for twenty years. If I had any designs on him, would it be your turn?"

I covered my face as scalding tears poured out.

"Jackson, we're breaking up! I want to break up with you!"

Jackson grabbed me tightly.

"No! I already apologizedwhat more do you want! How about you hit me back!"

As he spoke, he grabbed my hand and swung it toward his face.

Before it could touch his face, Violet spoke.

"Jackson, I don't have time to watch you two lovebirds. Smith called meI need to go. You two take care!"

With that, she took off her nightgown right in front of us, naked, and bent down to pick up her underwear from the side.

Jackson and I froze on the spot.

I could clearly feel Jackson's body tense, his lower body hard as iron.

The body holding me was burning hot, but I was ice cold inch by inch.

How ridiculous. My boyfriend got physically aroused looking at another woman.

As Violet passed us, she smiled at Jackson's lower body.

"I didn't realize, Jacksonyou really don't show it! You're not inferior to foreign men at all."

Jackson's face turned bright red.

I chased after her, only to see her pick up the jade Jackson had bought at a high price last night and put it in her bag.

I shouted.

"Put it downthat's mine!"

Violet raised an eyebrow.

"Yours? What's yours? To be blunt, even your man is mine."

"Oh, I forgot to tell youmy Maltese's birthday is next month. The collar is missing a piece of jade exactly this size, so Jackson gave it to me."

With that, she opened the door and left.

I'd just finished processing her words, trembling all over.

"Didn't you say that was for me?"

Jackson looked away.

"I have money. I can buy you another one like that. Violet begged me for half the night saying she wanted it. Amy, you're the most sensible, right?"

I curved my lips.

"Begged you? How did she beg? On her knees? Or with her body?"

Jackson's face darkened.

"Amy, you can't talk about Violet like that. We're innocent."

Looking at him, I suddenly felt very tired.

"Jackson, I'm serious. Let's break up."

"Before yesterday, I always thought you loved me. But not anymore. You love yourself, you love Violet, you love faceyou just don't love me."

"I saved you that year simply because you were you, not because of your family background. I didn't expect anything from youyou were the one who said you wanted to be with me."

"Jackson, go explain to them that I didn't exploit your gratitude, that I didn't latch onto you, that I'm not desperate for you."

"Jackson, I'm really tired."

Seeing my serious expression, Jackson's breathing hitched. He threw down a black card and rushed out the door.

"Amy, we both need to calm down. I'm leaving first. I'll come find you in a couple days."

The door slammed shut.

I lost all strength, slowly sliding down against the door frame, crying my heart out.

After crying myself out, I started packing.

Though this was supposedly Jackson's and my home, there really wasn't much that belonged to me.

Barely one suitcase was enough to hold everything.

He'd bought me a lot of clothes, food, and daily necessities.

But I always felt they weren't mine, that using them made me uneasy, so they were all sealed in a small cabinet, untouched.

After washing up, I sat at the vanity, staring at the woman in the mirror for a long time.

My left eyelid was tightly shut, my right eye was swollen red like a walnut from crying, and a bright red handprint marked my face.

Anyone who saw this would call it a ghost.

I took a deep breath and opened the vanity drawer.

It was full of various prosthetic eyes Jackson had bought me, 108 of them in total.

When he bought them, he looked at me with a smile full of tenderness.

"My wife, so what if you can't see with one eye? That's your badge of love for me, and I cherish it."

"From now on, I'll buy you all kinds of colors and styles. Your eye deserves to hold the sun, moon, and starsit shouldn't be confined to plain black."

I reached out to touch the red onethe first eye he bought me, red, with a bit of straight-guy aesthetic.

Then I touched the green oneback then he smiled and told me we'd cosplay Hatsune Miku someday.

Then the gem purple one, the same as the one I lost yesterday. I loved purple, so he bought me a dozen.

The person who used to stroke my hair and praise my left eye like a rainbow.

Now he looked at me with disgust, finding my tightly shut eyelid revolting, blaming me for embarrassing him.

I took one last look at those prosthetic eyes and closed the drawer.

Before leaving, I exported the bedroom surveillance footage, captured screenshots of Violet walking around my house naked with a light mosaic, and posted it online.

[My boyfriend Jackson's childhood friend Violet used being drunk as an excuse to wear my nightgown and sleep in my bed in my house, then said I was overthinking it. Is this my fault?]

After posting, I logged out of the account and turned off the computer.

The post named names and showed faces.

I didn't believe they could suppress it completely.

Perhaps even Jackson himself didn't remember.

The surveillance he installed so I could see clearly with my bad eye had become the final straw that broke them.

I bought a ticket on the next flight to Miami.

I left the organized keys, bank cards, and a guarantee letter Jackson had personally written to show his loyalty on the entrance table.

I left without looking back, without a trace of attachment.

The moment I closed the door, the landline behind me suddenly rang with Jackson's voice.

"Amy, answer the phone!!"

Only he knew the home phone number. Anyone could guess who was calling.

I curved my lips and forcefully shut the door.

Jackson, we'll never meet again.