1 I, Lucas Thorne, a hidden heir to a powerful family, was supposed to marry Emily Reed. But the night before the wedding, a sudden car accident plunged me into darkness. When I woke up again, the world was nothing but chaos. In the endless dark, I heard Emily and her assistant talking. “Emily, don’t worry, the accident perpetrator and the doctor are all taken care of. They won’t breathe a word. It’s just… Lucas loves to paint. After donating his corneas, he won’t be able to see again. What if he can’t accept it when he wakes up?” “He’s strong, unlike Adam. Adam wouldn’t be able to live without his sight. Besides, Lucas already has me, and I’ll take care of him for the rest of his life. I love him, but I can’t lose Adam.” The woman paused, her cool voice returning. “Oh, and have the doctor snip Lucas’s vas deferens as well. Adam would go crazy if he saw a child of mine and Lucas’s.” The assistant’s voice held a hint of protest: “But Emily, isn’t that too cruel to Lucas? He’s been with you since he was eighteen…” “Just do as you’re told, and don’t ask any more questions.” I felt a chill run through me, my body trembling uncontrollably. So, the woman I had loved unconditionally had long since fallen for the poor student I sponsored. She was even willing to destroy everything I had for his sake. If that’s the case, those who hurt me will not be spared. … Footsteps echoed in the hospital room. I forced myself to remain calm, feigning unconsciousness. “Ms. Reed, Mr. Grayson just donated his corneas and is still very weak. If we proceed with the vasectomy now, he might not withstand it and it could be life-threatening. I suggest we wait a while…” “I didn’t pay you to give me suggestions. This is an order, not a discussion. But if anything happens to Lucas, you know the consequences.” The doctor spoke nervously, “Yes, Ms. Reed.” A warm, searing touch brushed my cheek. Emily’s voice was soft and melodious. “Lucas, it’ll all be over soon. Don’t worry, I’ll always be by your side. I love you, Lucas.” My body gave a faint, uncontrollable shiver. A coolness grazed my cheek as Emily seemed to stand up. Sensing I was about to awaken, Emily’s voice turned cold and commanding: “Where’s the doctor? Prepare for surgery immediately. It must be done before he wakes!” I opened my eyes in terror, but saw nothing but darkness. Tears fell involuntarily as I reached out, grasping frantically at the air. “Wh-why can’t I see?” “Don’t be scared, Lucas. I’m here. I’ve always been here.” Emily held me tightly, her warm, small hand stroking my head. Her gentle voice seemed to brim with heartache. “You were in an accident… The doctor said your blindness is only temporary. Lucas, I’ll take good care of you…” The woman seemed to nod, then continued, “Be a good boy. Your body hasn’t fully recovered, so you can’t get too emotional. Let the doctor give you a nutritional shot.” If I hadn’t woken up early and overheard her conversation with the doctor, I would have believed every word she said. But now I knew that the so-called “nutritional shot” was just anesthesia to put me to sleep. I clutched the woman’s arm tightly, shaking my head desperately, my voice choked with emotion. “No… Emily, I don’t want the shot… I want to go home, can we just go home…?” Before I could finish, the cold needle pierced my skin. As my consciousness faded, I heard Emily’s familiar gentle voice. “Lucas, be good. Just sleep, and it will all be over. You’ll be fine with me here.” Tears streamed silently down my cheeks. Though my body was numb, my heart throbbed relentlessly. I closed my eyes in despair, and in the darkness, I saw eighteen-year-old Emily, her eyes red from crying, scolding me for being a fool for taking a knife for her. The girl’s tender, resolute voice echoed in my mind, “Lucas, I swear, this lifetime, I will never let anyone hurt you again.” Yet, the one who hurt me most, the one who sought to end my life, was precisely her. When I woke again, I had not only lost my sight and my love, but I would never have children of my own. I opened my eyes to the quiet of the hospital room, broken only by my own weak breathing. Soon, faint voices of an argument drifted in. “Lucas’s brother was in an accident. I have to go take care of him. Lucas’s brother has been so good to me; without him, I’d still be in the slums. I owe him everything, you can’t stop me…” It was Adam Grayson, the poor student I sponsored. Emily, who never tolerated defiance, had no hint of displeasure in her voice. “Adam, listen. Your eyes just recovered, the doctor said you shouldn’t move around much and need more rest. Lucas will be taken care of, you don’t need to worry.” My palms clenched the blanket involuntarily. When had Adam gone blind? Why didn't I know? “Hiss!” A sharp pain suddenly shot through the back of my hand as a tiny needle quickly pierced my skin. The nurse’s voice was utterly impatient and angry as she snapped, “Don’t move!” She even pressed harder, as if to deliberately warn me. “How unlucky. Why do they get to take care of Ms. Reed’s fiancé, while I’m stuck with a blind invalid like you!” “If Mr. Grayson could put in a good word for me with Ms. Reed, I wouldn’t have to deal with the likes of you sicklings anymore…” “Crash!” The sound of a glass medicine bottle shattering interrupted her resentful muttering. “Ah! Who dares… M-Ms. Reed, why are you here…?” The nurse’s voice went from angry to trembling as Emily’s furious voice resonated through the room, sending a chill down my spine. “Get out. Don’t ever let me see you again.” A familiar warm embrace enveloped me. The woman's body seemed to tremble slightly, her voice filled with guilt. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I was late, and you suffered. I’m so sorry…” A bitter smile played on my lips. Compared to having my corneas removed and my vas deferens severed, this little bit of hardship was nothing. But she seemed terribly remorseful, holding me so tightly I could barely breathe. “I don’t want to stay in the hospital. I want to go home.” The woman's warm breath feathered my neck. "Once the doctors clear you, I'll take you home." She didn't know that the "home" I spoke of wasn't her villa, but the prestigious Thorne family estate far away in London. Years ago, during a period of turmoil within the Thorne family, my father had hidden me in a coastal town for safety, but somehow, ill-intentioned people found out. When I was cornered in an alley, Emily appeared and took a fatal knife blow for me. In that moment, "love at first sight" became a tangible reality for me. Later, we went to the same university, fell passionately in love, and were inseparable. Everyone around us envied our relationship. Adam appeared around that time too. I pitied him, eating plain bread every meal, and admired his talent, so I stepped in to sponsor him. Adam was eternally grateful to me, and we became close friends, sharing everything. I just didn't know when he and Emily ended up in the same bed, or when Emily fell in love with him. Emily brushed the stray hairs from my forehead, her voice softer than ever. “Lucas, can we still have the wedding tomorrow? I truly want to marry you quickly, to make you my husband.” The wedding I once dreamed of now felt like a nightmare. I gently shook my head. “No.” Emily didn’t expect me to refuse. She released me, explaining with rare patience, “I know you’re scared, but don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything perfectly. I guarantee no one will dare to say a word. Adam will be your best man and help you.” “Our officiant this time will be Evelyn Thorne, the head of the powerful Thorne family from London. I promised you I’d give you the grandest wedding.” Hearing my older sister’s name, my hand suddenly clenched the woman’s sleeve. The Thorne family didn’t know I was in the coastal town, nor did they know that Emily’s fiancé was me. Years ago, after I refused an arranged marriage with a powerful family’s daughter, I stormed out of the house and hadn’t contacted the Thorne family since. A bitter pang went through my heart. I couldn't imagine what my sister's expression would be seeing me in such a pathetic state. My arm suddenly felt heavy as a deep, resonant male voice spoke, “Lucas, I’ve been so worried about you. From now on, I’ll be your eyes, taking care of you for the rest of your life…” Emily cut him off, a trace of undetectable guilt in her voice. “Don’t be silly, Lucas’s blindness is only temporary.” Adam understood, resting his head on my shoulder, feigning comfort. “Right, my mistake. Maybe Lucas’s eyes will be fine tomorrow, and he’ll happily marry Emily. Lucas, I’m truly happy for you.” It was this innocent facade that had fooled me. The assistant brought the groom’s tuxedo. Only Adam and I were left in the room. “Lucas, I hear you designed this tuxedo yourself? It’s beautiful, but it’s too big for me.” The sound of fabric tearing in the silent room was exceptionally jarring. I knew he had ruined my wedding attire. “You’re blind; there’s no point in wearing such an expensive tuxedo. Your hospital gown suits you much better.” “Splash!” My eyes stung with a sharp, burning pain, as if they were on fire. I cried out, my hands trembling as I tried to wipe away the liquid. Adam held my wrist in a death grip, his venomous voice whispering in my ear. “Lucas Thorne, your blindness wasn’t from the accident at all. I never thought a casual remark would make Emily take your corneas for me. And I didn’t even need them; they were filthy, not even a dog would touch them.” “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave quietly. Otherwise, what do you think? What if a casual word from me makes her take your life?” The acidic liquid burned my eyes, but it was less than a thousandth of the pain in my heart. Hearing the approaching click of heels, Adam roughly wiped away the liquid from my eyes, then lifted my hand high. “Slap!” A searing pain erupted in my palm. Before I could react, a powerful shove sent me reeling. My head slammed against the wall behind me, and my ears rang uncontrollably. “Lucas Thorne! You’re blind, not insane! Why are you attacking Adam? He’s very weak right now!” Though I couldn’t see Emily’s expression, her furious voice told me she had lost control. In all these years, this was the first time she had been so enraged. She had forgotten that I was the one whose body was weaker. Emily’s menacing voice rang above me, “Apologize to Adam! Otherwise, the wedding tomorrow is off!” She knew how desperately I longed for this wedding; it had been my greatest wish for years to wear a tuxedo and marry her. Just as she expected, I lowered my head, looking remorseful, the residual liquid in my eyes stinging. My voice trembled slightly with pain, “I’m sorry, Adam.” The woman’s cold voice came from the doorway, “I’ll have someone pick you up at eight tomorrow morning.” Emily didn’t know that tomorrow’s wedding, for me, was an escape. It was the day I would finally leave her. 2 The next morning, the assistant came to pick me up for the wedding car. Just as Adam said, I arrived at the wedding venue in my hospital gown. Adam's tuxedo sleeve grazed my exposed wrist as he tossed a large coat over my head, chuckling. “Happy wedding, Lucas. Do you think wearing a tuxedo makes you the groom? It’s just to hide your blind eyes, to save you from making a spectacle.” Failing to see the despair he hoped for on my face, Adam was about to lash out. Emily’s displeased voice suddenly cut in. “Where’s your tuxedo? Lucas Thorne, are you deliberately trying to spite me? You’re going to marry me looking like that?” The assistant led me to the changing room. As soon as I took off my hospital gown, a woman's excited voice suddenly sounded from behind me. “He might be blind, but he’s certainly not bad-looking. Be a good boy, don’t make a sound, and I’ll make sure to take good care of you.” “Click!” A cold sensation on my wrist—handcuffs. The woman’s body pressed against mine, and I was too weak to push her away. I could only open my mouth and bite her hard. “You little bastard, you’re asking for it!” The enraged woman’s stiletto heel dug into my abdomen, her panting breath hot on my neck. The woman’s soft lips had just brushed my chest when a sharp, surprised male voice suddenly rang out from the doorway. “Lucas! How can you do this at your wedding with Emily? How can you face Emily…?” The woman in front of me paused, panting, and spoke disdainfully. “He threw himself at me. I wouldn’t even want a blind man.” As soon as the words left her lips, countless accusatory voices erupted around me, their vicious words attacking me like venomous snakes. “I can’t believe Ms. Reed’s fiancé is blind!” “No wonder he’s blind, he has Ms. Reed and he’s still cheating, tsk tsk tsk.” “What a shameless philanderer!” I frantically reached for my torn clothes, burying my head in my knees, my whole body trembling violently. Suddenly, the air fell silent, broken only by the crisp click of high heels. “Lucas Thorne, you dare to betray me!” My throat was viciously squeezed. Emily’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with pure hatred. I used every ounce of strength I had, barely managing to gasp out a few words. “I… didn’t…” The feeling of suffocation slowly enveloped me. Emily abruptly released her grip, then seized my chin, squeezing it tightly. “Lucas Thorne, after all these years together, you should know that I hate betrayal most of all. I think you’ve lost your mind to be with a woman like that. If that’s the case, you won’t be attending today’s wedding.” “Guards, take him to the asylum!” As I was forcibly lifted, my heart plummeted. If I was sent to an asylum like this, I’d never be able to return to the Thorne family. Thinking this, I struggled desperately, broke free from their grasp, and ran forward, holding my breath. “Catch him!” Behind me, Emily’s furious voice echoed, along with countless footsteps. My heart pounded violently. There was only darkness before me, I couldn’t see anything, but I dared not stop running. Only by running desperately forward could I find a glimmer of hope. Suddenly, I collided into a warm embrace. A familiar, anxious female voice echoed above my head, “Lucas!” It was my eldest sister, Evelyn Thorne. My body instantly went limp. I lost my footing and completely collapsed into her arms. Seeing my pale, bloodless face, Evelyn reached out to caress my cheek, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly. “Lucas, what have you done to yourself? Where have you been all these years…? Big sister finally, finally found you.” A crystal tear fell onto my face. I reached out, wanting to wipe away my sister’s tears, but I didn’t know where her face was. Evelyn noticed my abnormality. “Lucas, what happened to your eyes?!” Just as I was about to speak, Emily’s suppressed voice came from above me. “Lucas, come here.” My body instinctively trembled. Sensing my fear, Evelyn patted my back, soothingly. “Don’t be scared, Lucas. Big sister is here. No one will hurt you again.” I nodded, too choked up to speak, my body and mind slowly relaxing. Seeing me slowly close my eyes, leaning peacefully against Evelyn’s shoulder, Emily’s face completely sank. She looked at Evelyn coldly. “Release my fiancé.” Evelyn’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. In an instant, she had roughly pieced things together, and a chill emanated from her. Just as tensions rose, Adam appeared between the two women. He looked at Evelyn’s extraordinary demeanor and spoke with a meek smile. “This distinguished guest, his name is Lucas Thorne. He’s Ms. Reed’s fiancé. He recently went blind and suffered a bit of a shock, becoming completely insane. You should hand him over to us to send him for treatment, lest he accidentally harms you.” Evelyn’s eyes were clouded with gloom. “Get out.” Adam’s handsome face was filled with humiliation, his eyes instantly reddening. Emily wrapped him in her arms, waved her hand, and spoke in a low voice. “No matter who you are, you won’t leave here today.” A group of black-clad bodyguards surrounded them. Evelyn’s lips curved into a meaningful smile. “It’s been a long time since anyone dared to court death like this.” With a light whistle from her, three burly men with dragon tattoos carved into their profiles charged forward. In a moment, the black-clad bodyguards lay scattered on the ground. A guest gasped, “Those are the elite guards of the Thorne family from London!” “I heard Evelyn Thorne, the head of the Thorne family, was invited today. I can’t believe it’s true!” The crowd erupted into an uproar. Seeing Evelyn’s dark expression, many timid guests cautiously retreated from the hotel, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire. Adam’s face showed surprise. He hadn’t expected the person protecting me to be the head of the powerful Thorne family from London. His fists clenched tightly, jealousy almost overflowing from his eyes, filled with resentment. “Ms. Thorne, there must be some misunderstanding here. He’s not worth it, a blind man! He was just with another woman moments ago. You don’t need to…” Before he could finish, “Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap…” Loud slaps echoed, accompanied by Adam’s sharp screams. “Ah!” Evelyn said calmly, “Those who harm Lucas will all face the same fate.” “Death.” Seeing the man she had always held so dearly being used as a punching bag, getting slapped repeatedly, Emily felt both heartache and fury. She forcefully pulled Adam back to her side, scrutinizing the woman before her whose aura was so oppressive. “Ms. Thorne, this is the coastal town. Surely you understand that the mighty dragon cannot suppress the local serpent.” “Moreover, my Reed family has never offended the Thorne family. Ms. Thorne, you were the one who took my fiancé and hurt my people first. Don’t you think you owe me a reasonable explanation?” Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her eyes as dark as ink. “How did I not know that my own brother was going to marry you? And you, do you even deserve to enter our Thorne family home?” Emily’s face betrayed undisguised shock. She remembered how I had never mentioned my family to her, and each time she asked, I would only vaguely say my family couldn't make an appearance. She found herself whispering, “Lucas… Lucas is actually a member of the London Thorne family…” The Thorne family of London had three daughters, all powerful and influential, and a youngest son who had never appeared in public. Looking at the grim-faced woman before her, Emily couldn’t help but feel a pang of panic. Things might have just gotten very complicated. Her gaze fell on my tightly shut eyes, and her fists involuntarily clenched. “No… no… my eyes…” In a haze, I trembled with fear, my murmurs reaching everyone present. Evelyn tenderly stroked the back of my head, signaling to a bodyguard to pick me up, then walked past the stunned woman towards the door. Hearing the footsteps gradually fading away, Emily’s heart gave a violent lurch. She suddenly realized she might be losing me. Emily turned and rushed to Evelyn, her gaze firm. “Ms. Thorne, Lucas is my fiancé. Even if you are his older sister, you can’t just take him away like this. Today is our wedding, and I promised Lucas a grand ceremony…” A low, chilling voice emanated from Evelyn’s thin lips. “I wouldn’t mind turning it into a funeral.” Evelyn kicked hard into the woman’s kneecap, and Emily’s knees hit the ground with a heavy thud. “Emily Reed, you know the Thorne family’s methods.” The sound of a car engine starting reached my ears. A cup of warm water was offered to my lips. Evelyn carefully helped me up, her movements so gentle as if I would break with a touch. With the warm water, my cold body began to regain some warmth. Evelyn’s fingers swiped across a tablet, her eyes growing darker. After seeing my hospital records and treatment history, the beast she had long suppressed inside her was on the verge of breaking free. She held back with all her might, afraid of scaring me. Evelyn felt like she was going insane. A low sob faintly reached my ears. I tilted my head slightly and spoke softly, “Big sister?” “I can’t even protect my only brother. I don’t deserve to be your big sister. I’m sorry, Lucas, it’s all my fault…” Evelyn’s trembling voice was filled with self-reproach. Feeling my sister’s slight trembling, tears also streamed from my eyes. Cold fingers wiped away my hot tears. Evelyn’s gentle voice held a hidden murderous intent. “Let big sister handle everyone who hurt you, okay?” I gently shook my head. “This revenge, I want to take it myself.” Hours later, the plane landed at the Thorne family estate in London. “Lucas!” My sisters, Lillian and Bella, who had received the news, had been waiting in the villa for a long time. Their heavy breathing reached my ears. I reached out, wanting to comfort them. “Second sister, third sister, I’m fine. Don’t worry.” The three Thorne sisters, known for their cold and detached demeanor, now had red eyes. They tremblingly held my hand. “Welcome home, little brother.” After being taken to my bedroom, the private doctor examined my body and reported with deep regret, “Mr. Thorne, you… will not be able to have children in the future. Furthermore, your body is currently very weak and requires a period of bed rest and careful recuperation, otherwise, you may suffer severe long-term health issues.” The doctor paused. “However, your eyes can recover if a suitable cornea is found, for example, one with a healthy, oval-shaped orbital structure.” Emily’s long, dark eyes flashed in my mind. I wondered if there was any genuine feeling in those beautiful eyes when she sat by my bedside, saying she’d be my eyes forever. Even though I had completely given up on her, a pang of pain still tightened in my chest. Perhaps only when she was gone would my heart stop hurting.
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