THE NARCISSIST'S WIFE

CHAPTER 2: NOW I CAN SEE WITHOUT YOU

“I desire to see your face first with my new eyes,” Lydia said with a waver in her voice. The time was 11:45 AM when all arrangements for the operation were made. For two long years, Kevin had waited for the right cornea donor, and now, at last, the day had come.

“Good morning, I’m speaking to Kevin Stewart from 27 Brookstone Avenue, Crestfield City 90213?” A calm, measured voice came from the other end.

“Speaking. What can I do for you?”

“This is Sharon from Riverside General Hospital. I’m calling regarding the cornea donor. I’m happy to let you know that a match has finally been found for Lydia. The tissue has been cleared for transplant, and you are next on the list.”

Kevin wiped the tears streaming down his face and whispered, “We’ve waited so long to hear those words. Thank you so much. This means everything to us. When can we come in?”

“Dr. Elias has a spot open tomorrow. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, of course, tomorrow is perfect,” Kevin answered, his voice full of excitement. After a brief conversation to finalize the schedule, he hung up the phone and rushed out to the porch, Lydia’s favorite spot. She always loved sitting there with a warm cup of coffee, imagining the golden sunset kissing her face.

“Bunny, I have some great news for you. We finally found a donor,” his voice trembling with emotion, he said.

“What? Have you found a donor? Are you telling me I’ll be able to see?” she gasped softly.

“Yes, if the surgery is successful, you’ll finally see the beautiful sunset, not just in your mind but with your own eyes. They have booked us for tomorrow at 9 AM.” Embracing her tightly, he said.

******

Five hours felt like an eternity for Kevin. His footsteps echoed through the sterile corridors as he paced, each second stretching endlessly while he waited for it all to be over.

“The procedure went well,” the doctor said with a reassuring smile, “She will be out soon.”

Two years of Kevin’s hard work and sacrifices had finally paid off.

The moment Kevin stepped into the recovery room and saw Lydia lying there, fragile but alive, the tears came unstoppably and full of relief. He stood there for a moment, taking it all in. He moved closer, unable to stop the tears welling up in his eyes.

“The procedure was a success,” Dr. Elias said with a smile. We managed to relieve the pressure on your optic nerve. Now it's just a matter of time, three days tops, for your eyes to rest and heal before we remove the bandages. That’s when we will know the full result. ”

Dr. Elias Carter was a renowned cornea specialist in his late fifties, known not just for his expertise but also for making patients feel comfortable and safe. In the world of vision, he was a miracle worker. He had won the Aurora Visionary Award after successfully restoring sight to a six-month-old baby born blind, a case many had deemed impossible.

******

Three days felt like an eternity to Kevin. He was always at Lydia's side, keeping her mind off the environment she was in. Lydia did not like hospitals much. It all started when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was growing so fast. Her parents found themselves rushing her to the hospital time and again, each visit driven by relentless headaches that refused to let her rest. What she hated more than hospital gowns and the smell were the needles. They were ceaseless: blood tests, IV drops, and injections. The sting of the needles never stopped feeling like a violation. Day by day, the tumor pressed its claim, growing bigger, until the doctors were forced to act, the surgery becoming the only hope to save her. The operation was a success, but its victory came at a price no ten-year-old should ever be asked to pay. It robbed her sight. The doctors told her parents that the tumor had pressed against her optic nerve, which had left it severely impaired. From then on, Lydia’s world faded to darkness, the slender guiding stick becoming her eyes, leading her through every step.

“Let's unwrap those beautiful gifts of yours, Lydia. Finally, you’ll see the world that’s been waiting for you.” Dr. Elias teased, pulling on his gloves, hands poised and ready to begin.

Kevin caught his breath as Dr. Elias began to work, his fingers steady as they loosened; each layer came away slowly, the sound of the fabric peeling like whispers in the still room. Lydia sat motionless, her hands clenched tightly.

“Almost there,” the doctor murmured.

The final bandage slipped free, and for a heartbeat, Lydia kept her eyes shut, afraid of what she might or might not see. With a shaky inhale, she opened them.

The world rushed in like a flood. Blurred shapes. A shimmer of colors. Kevin’s outline stood so close she could hear his heartbeat. Her lips trembled, her breath breaking into sobs. She blinked once, twice, until the shape sharpened, and she saw his eyes looking back at her, wet with tears.

" Can you see me? ” Kevin asked, his voice trembling with hope and fear, as if the answer could shatter him.

“Kevin, I can see,” Lydia’s voice broke, “I can see you.” Her eyes darted across his face like she was memorizing every detail.

Kevin stepped forward, his arms opening instinctively, wrapping her in relief.

“Hey bunny,” he whispered, brushing strands of hair from her forehead. ” You did it. ”

She met his gaze for a moment, her eyes shimmering with light and something deeper he couldn’t quite name. Then slowly, her attention drifted past him to the window.

“And now...” she murmured, almost like she was discovering the thought as she spoke, “Now I can see without you.”

Kevin froze, her words echoing strangely against the memory still lingering in his mind. Without me? They weren’t sharp or cold; if anything, they sounded wistful, but they tangled with his thoughts, blurring the line between past and present, joy and uncertainty.