Don't let them know you can see

5

The thought of my own cruel demise left me trembling. Nailed alive? It was too barbaric to even contemplate. Impossible! I've never made enemies; how could my end be so gruesome? Could Ethan, driven by his desire for Sophie, be capable of such an act? Our marriage began with his relentless pursuit, and I only agreed because of his apparent devotion. Divorce could have easily freed him; why resort to murder? If not Ethan, then who? A deranged killer? Who could it be?

My emotions surged uncontrollably, rendering the voice in my head nearly inaudible, its words barely coherent: "I'm... fading... Don't... trust... anyone!" Desperate to cling to the vanishing voice, I found myself powerless, unsure how to preserve this sole source of answers. Clutching the sheets tightly and taking deep breaths, I gradually calmed down, attempting to reconnect with the voice. But silence had taken over. The only clue to my mysteries had disappeared.

Stunned, I was at a loss on how to proceed when Ethan entered, freshly showered, the corruption from before washed away. "Honey, are you awake?" he called out. I instinctively sniffed, noting the absence of his earlier foulness. "Wait, you looked right at me just now, with such clarity," Ethan observed, waving his hand in front of me, his tone light and seemingly joyful, yet his expression dark and unsettling.

Caught off guard, I hadn't feigned my blindness in time. I couldn't afford to arouse his suspicion; there was too much I still needed to understand. I lowered my gaze, feigning hurt, my voice tinged with sorrow: "Ethan, why would you say that? Do you resent me for being blind?" "Maybe we should just get a divorce, so I won't hold you back anymore."

Ethan bent down, touching my head softly, "Honey, that's not what I meant. You know I'm not good with words. When I came in and saw your eyes..." "You're still talking about it? What are you trying to say, Ethan?!" I interrupted, my eyes lifeless yet my tone sharp and filled with a mix of anger and vulnerability.

Startled by my reaction, Ethan backed away, trying to soothe me, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." Seeing him back down, I didn't push further, simply turning away and lying down, ignoring him. Ethan, finding no point in staying, left the room.