Redemption

For three years, I cared for Lucas Blake after an accident left him blind. The moment he regained his sight, the first thing he did was propose to Melinda Carter, the woman who had always captured his heart yet seemed forever out of his reach. The entire hospital room fell silent, every pair of eyes darting to me. They all expected me to break down. But instead, I was the first to break into applause and extend my heartfelt wishes for them a lifetime of happiness. I didn’t shed a tear. I didn’t make a scene. I simply walked out of his life and never looked back. It wasn’t until Lucas stumbled upon the medical report confirming my severe depression that he finally called me. “If you come back, I’ll forgive your irrational behavior, and we’ll get you the help you need…” A low chuckle came from the other end of the line. “Mr. Blake, you don’t need to worry about my girlfriend.” ***** Lucas demanded, “Let Melinda stand before me. I want her to be the first person I see when my vision returns.” At those words, I paused in the middle of unwrapping the gauze from his eyes, my own eyes stinging with the threat of tears. Today was the day Lucas was being discharged from the hospital. After three long years, he could finally see the light of day again. But just like a man who threw away his crutches the moment he could walk, the first thing Lucas did with his restored sight was discard me, who had cared for him for three whole years. Melinda stepped forward from the crowd, her eyes brimming with tears. She took his hand and sobbed. “I’m here.” As the last strip of gauze fell to the floor, Lucas dropped to one knee, a radiant smile spreading across his face. “Then will you marry me?” Melinda burst into tears, nodding vigorously. “I do,” she whispered. Suddenly, the room erupted into a burst of cheers, and right there, in front of everyone, they shared a passionate kiss. As I watched the scene unfold, an intense pain gripped my heart. How could Lucas overlook that Melinda had left him when he lost his sight in a cruel accident? At that moment, Melinda’s best friend shot me a mocking glance. “You gave everything and still ended up with nothing. You’ll always lose to our Melinda.” All eyes turned to me, and their gazes were filled with pity and scorn. Even Lucas looked at me with a cold, detached expression. “Helen Jett, this was all just your wishful thinking. Don’t show your face around Melinda again. Or you’ll regret it.” Melinda covered her mouth in feigned surprise and glanced at Lucas. “Lucas, isn’t that a bit harsh? After all, Ms. Jett cares for you so much…” “But the only one I’ve ever loved is you,” Lucas cut in without a moment’s hesitation, pulling Melinda into an even tighter embrace. Seeing this, I let out a derisive snort and forced a smile, but despite my efforts, tears betrayed me, cascading down my cheeks. “Then consider it my own foolishness. Lucas, I wish you happiness.” I didn’t know how I made it home that day. My mind was a blur. I poured myself a glass of water and swallowed a white pill. As I slumped onto the sofa, a soft white ball of fur leaped up beside me. Moon, the cat Lucas and I had raised together, nuzzled against me, purring softly. When Lucas first lost his sight, he had been volatile, lashing out at the slightest provocation and knocking over anything in his path. The doctor suggested that having something to comfort him could greatly improve his condition, so we decided to raise Moon together, hoping she would bring him solace. Sure enough, his mood had stabilized considerably since then. With tears streaming down my face, I gently stroked Moon’s forehead, murmuring, “Now, he doesn’t want you either, does he?” The cat didn’t understand, of course. It just rubbed against me, seeking comfort. I drifted off on the sofa until the sharp sound of the door being unlocked jolted me from my slumber. Lucas walked in, Melinda trailing behind him. He looked down at me with a detached expression. “I’m here to pack my things and take Moon with me.” It hit me then that I was the only one left behind. I took a deep breath, raising my chin to meet his gaze. “No, she’s mine.” It was the first time I’d ever stood up to Lucas. His face darkened, his voice rising in anger as he shouted, “Helen, don’t forget she’s my comfort cat!” I flinched at his tone, my heart pounding. Melinda, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward to defuse the situation. “Lucas, why don’t you go pack your things first? I’ll have a word with Ms. Jett,” she said with a placating tone. Lucas shot me one last glare before disappearing into his room, leaving Melinda and me alone in the living room. She smiled as she approached me step by step. Reaching out, she tried to take Moon from my arms. “I know you raised her together, but Lucas doesn’t want you anymore. “Keeping this cat is just a pathetic attempt to make him notice you, right?” Before I could react, she yanked Moon from my arms. My heart dropped. “What are you doing?” I yelled. Melinda’s smile turned sinister as she tightened her grip on the struggling cat. “You’ll see.” She uttered these words and then quickly dashed to the window. By the time it dawned on me what she intended, it was too late. With no hesitation, she had already hurled Moon out of the window. “Moon!” My heart-wrenching and desperate scream tore through the air as I lunged half out of the window in a frantic attempt to catch the falling cat, but it was beyond my reach. Moon plummeted to the ground, landing with a sickening thud. She didn’t even make a sound.

Just then, Lucas emerged from the room, drawn by the commotion. His brow furrowed in confusion as he took in the scene before him—I collapsed on the floor, weeping with uncontrollable sorrow. “Lucas, you wouldn’t believe how ruthless Ms. Jett was!” Melinda threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably as she pointed an accusing finger in my direction. “Helen said she doesn’t want you to have what she can’t have. “I mean, she literally threw the cat out the window!” She wailed with fabricated sorrow, making it seem as though her words were undeniable truth. Lucas froze and gaped at me in disbelief. “Are you really that cruel? We raised her together!” Through tears, I glanced over at him, whose face contorted with anger. Despite the tension, a laugh escaped my lips. “What are you laughing at?” Lucas asked in confusion. But I felt no urge to explain myself. We had been inseparable, day and night, for three solid years. Everyone else might be in the dark about my feelings for Moon, but how could he, of all people, not understand? Yet, his heart was already devoted to Melinda, so even if I poured out my soul today, explaining with every tear I shed, it would change nothing. No number of words would ever make him believe me. So, I took a deep breath and pushed myself to my feet, swaying slightly as I stood. “Lucas, I truly regret taking care of you for the past three years.” His eyes flickered with a hint of sadness, but it was gone before I could even be sure it was there. I turned away, not wanting to dwell on it anymore, and walked downstairs, leaving them behind. ***** The day Moon was cremated, the rain fell in torrents. I returned home, clutching her ashes in my hands. My eyes were hollow and lifeless. When I opened the door, I expected to see her trotting over to rub against my legs. But there was nothing. Only deafening silence consumed me. For an entire week, I locked myself away, painting frantically at home. It wasn’t until I saw Moon on the canvas that I broke down. My fingers trembled as I traced her image, tears streaming down my face. “I’m sorry. I failed to protect you. It’s all my fault.” The truth was, it wasn’t about letting go of someone that hurt the most. It was the realization that you had misjudged them entirely. ***** Fate had its own plans when I ran into Lucas once more at a birthday bash thrown by a friend we both knew. Melinda clung to his arm with a tender smile, while around them, everyone was already toasting to their future wedding with cheerful anticipation. My best friend, Selena Short, cursed under her breath. “Shameless! If it weren’t for you taking care of him for three years, he’d still be blind!” I smiled and didn’t respond, my eyes full of melancholy. Halfway through the banquet, feeling suffocated, I excused myself and escaped to the tranquility of the back garden. The sound of heels clicking against the pavement grew louder until Melinda appeared in front of me. She beamed with joy. “Helen, didn’t you know we’d be here today? How dare you show your face in front of him? Have you forgotten what happened to the cat in the end?” My heart throbbed with a dull ache as I met her gaze with an indifferent stare. With a sharp slap, I struck her across the face. Melinda turned away, her hand flying to her cheek in shock. She then slowly turned back to me, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Did you just hit me?” “I wish I could kill you,” I snapped, hatred burning in my eyes. This wasn’t about Lucas. This was about her taking away Moon, the only source of joy I had left. She lunged at me, and her face twisted with malice. Suddenly, we were locked in a fierce scuffle. The noise we made drew the attention of everyone at the banquet. Just as I had the upper hand, ready to land a punch on her face, a figure dashed forward, shoving me hard to the ground. My neck jolted painfully as I hit the ground. “Melinda! Are you okay?” Lucas yelled and rushed to her side, enveloping her in his arms as he comforted her. With her protector now here, Melinda burst into tears instantly. “Lucas, I didn’t even provoke Helen, but she hit me!” I gasped for air, my hand instinctively reaching for my neck, feeling nothing. Panic surged through me as my eyes landed on the necklace in Melinda’s hand. Lucas shot me a sharp glare as he demanded, “Helen, apologize to Melinda.” “Give it back to me,” I whispered, my world narrowing to the necklace in her hand. I crawled toward them, oblivious to everything else. Melinda’s face drained of color. It was then she became acutely aware of the necklace clutched tightly in her trembling hand. She turned her gaze to Lucas with confusion and a hint of desperation. “What is this?” she asked. Lucas paused, his eyes reflecting a moment of contemplation before he explained, “It should be her mother’s relic.” Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind. When I was feeding him, the cold pendant had brushed against his cheek, leaving a fleeting chill on his warm skin. He had been taken aback for a brief second and inquired, “What is this?” With sorrow clouding my eyes, I gently removed the necklace, examining it in my palm for a long while. Finally, I murmured, “It’s my mother’s legacy.” He hadn’t asked further. After a brief silence, he spoke in a soothing tone, “You must cherish the last thing your mother left you. Don’t be sad, Helen.” That moment marked the first time he had ever comforted me with such tenderness. Melinda smirked triumphantly as if she had found the ultimate weapon to win. She dangled the necklace in front of me. “If you beg me, I’ll give it back.” Lucas turned to face her, his lips parting as if to speak and closing again in silent struggle, words failing him despite several attempts. “Give it back to me!” Overwhelmed, I burst into tears and screamed, my outburst drawing whispers from the crowd of onlookers at the show. “It’s her mother’s legacy. Isn’t this going too far?” one murmured. “That’s right. Fighting is one thing, but to threaten someone with something so personal is just wrong,” another echoed. As the accusations flew from every direction, Melinda’s face grew red with embarrassment, her triumph slipping. Just as I reached out to take the necklace, Melinda threw it to the ground. The sound of it shattering into pieces echoed in the silence.

“Stop pretending to be pitiful! Who knows if this is even your mother’s relic…” My blood ran cold, and my heart felt as though it was caught in a relentless vice, squeezing the breath out of me. Melinda looked at Lucas with tearful eyes and complained with feigned innocence, “She was the one who hit me first.” Lucas sighed, his expression softening as he gently stroked her hair, “I know you’re always kind. You’d never start trouble.” As he spoke, he pulled her into his arms, shielding her from the chaos. Tears streamed from my eyes, each one falling like a broken bead, scattering upon the ground. I stood there, immobilized, as if time itself had stopped for an eternity. Just as they turned to leave, everyone thought I was giving up. I bent down, picked up a stone, and charged at them. The stone struck Melinda’s head with a sickening thud. Chaos erupted. She turned to look at me with shock, bright red blood streaming down her face. The next second, her eyes fluttered shut, and she collapsed, unconscious. “Melinda!” Lucas roared. He turned to me, his eyes blazing with fury. “If anything happens to her, I’ll make you pay with your life!” Without another word, he scooped her up in his arms and stormed away, leaving me standing there alone. ***** Half a month passed in a blur. Strangely, Lucas and Melinda didn’t come after me. I locked myself in my apartment, avoiding the world. It wasn’t until I ran out of medication that I finally ventured out, braving the rain to go to the hospital. The doctor, Jason Smith, glanced at me with hesitation. “Ms. Jett, your somatization has become quite severe. If we don’t intervene and start treatment soon…” “Dr. Smith, just prescribe the medication. Thanks,” I interrupted. He sighed deeply but said nothing more. Ever since my parents died in a car accident eight years ago, I had battled severe depression. Back then, Lucas, with his radiant smile and vivacious spirit, became my sole refuge. I fell for him helplessly. When he lost his sight, I finally had the chance to be by his side. In truth, I wasn’t just healing him; he was healing me, too. Being near him made me feel safe and grounded. Therefore, regardless of what trials he faced, I remained steadfast by his side for three long years. But gradually, I realized it was all a lie. He wasn’t my salvation. He was my downfall. Holding an art exhibition in Blissford was my final wish. My mother was once celebrated as a renowned painter, and I inherited her talent, gaining recognition as a talented artist with millions of followers across social platforms. One of her dying wishes was to see me hold my own exhibition. I had been preparing for this for years. Once it was done, I’d leave. The day of the exhibition arrived, and the venue was packed. Friends, fans, and prominent figures in the art world had all come to celebrate. “Congratulations, my brilliant painter,” Selena said, handing me a glass of champagne. Her expression softened with concern. “If it weren’t for Lucas, this exhibition would’ve happened a long time ago, wouldn’t it?” She was right. If I hadn’t spent three years as his caretaker, everything might’ve been different. As we spoke, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance. A group of men in black suits stormed in, lining up in two rows, each holding a baseball bat. Then, Lucas strode in and glanced at me coldly. He lifted his hand and issued a curt command, “Smash it.” The men swung their bats, shattering every painting in the room. The crowd scattered, fleeing in panic as chaos consumed the exhibition hall. As the scene descended into chaos, his eyes narrowed with a look of satisfaction, and he slowly made his way towards me. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Melinda said your paintings are ugly. They made her feel sick,” he said in an icy tone. “Helen, because of that stone you threw at her, she’s still in the hospital. Consider this little lesson your apology to her.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the man I’d loved and cared for three years. Lucas was even more cold-hearted than I’d imagined. But strangely, my shattered heart didn’t ache anymore. It was numb. I yelled, “Lucas, I don’t love you anymore. I never want to see you again in this lifetime.” His smile faltered for a moment. With his jaw clenched tight, he growled, “Don’t love me anymore? Helen, you’d better mean it. “Otherwise, if you come crawling back, begging for forgiveness, I won’t even spare you a glance.” Then, he spun around sharply to leave. Once he was out of sight, I closed my eyes, my body trembling uncontrollably. But deep down, I felt a strange sense of relief. It was almost over.

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