He Called Me Blind

CHAPTER FOUR — The Line I Must Cross

CLAIRE'S POV

The moment I heard the engine start downstairs, everything inside me just... snapped.

I sat there in our silent and cold bedroom, listening to the car as it rolled away. My hands clutched tightly against the quilt on my lap.

He still left..

When I asked him to never leave, I had meant it. I wanted to give him one last chance to choose...

But he still chose Isabella over us.

I let my silent tears flow for as long as I can remember. I only stopped crying when my eyes hurt.

Then, a ruthless decision settled in my mind.

He made his choice. Now it's time to finally make mine.

My hand trembled slightly as I reached for my phone—ignoring the hard knot that twisted in my chest.

“Hello, is this Central Hospital? I want to inquire about abortion procedures. Please keep this matter private.”

After we finished discussing some important details regarding the matter, I ended the call with ice-cold hands.

But I didn’t cry anymore. Though my wolf inside was howling in agony over losing our pup, I didn’t recoil.

My decision is final.

If he’s going to keep tearing me apart like this, I might as well do it first.

I know pregnant Lunas were sacred in our kind. Terminating a pup wasn’t just taboo—it was nearly unheard of.

My hands drifted to my belly. I couldn’t feel anything yet—but I knew the life growing inside me wasn’t just his. It was mine too.

But would bringing a pup into a world built on lies… be an act of love?

Or cruelty?

___

Morning came slowly.

I hadn't had much sleep the entire night.

I slowly shifted my body and instinctively reached out to the space beside me.

The sheets were cold.

So he didn't come back…

Bitterness crept into my chest as I got up and dragged my body heavily to the bathroom.

Just after nine, Leo Wilson—Ethan’s executive assistant—showed up.

"Good morning, Luna," he greeted first and offered me a small velvet box. "This is a gift from Alpha Pierce."

My sightless eyes fell on the delicate box in my hand.

I held it for seconds, and opened the lid without much emotion.

He knew I liked pearls, and he often praised me before, saying that this gem suited me well. That, just like the pearls, my beauty was timeless.

But right now, whenever I thought of all his beautiful and flowery words, all I could feel was his hypocrisy.

I ran my fingers across the cool, smooth surface of the pearls. They were beautiful, I guess. It must be the most expensive set, as Ethan wouldn't mind throwing his money away.

But they meant nothing to me now.

I placed the box on the table. “Where is he?”

“Oh, Alpha is already in his office and having a conference meeting," Leo answered carefully.

I was silent for a moment.

"Are you feeling unwell, Luna?" Leo asked with caution.

I kept my voice calm, yet empty. “No. I’m fine.”

He wouldn’t understand anyway.

For the last three years, Leo had always been the one delivering all of Ethan’s gifts. Not once had Ethan handed them to me himself.

Not my favorite flowers, or my birthday presents. Not even the wedding anniversary necklace he claimed was picked just for me.

It was always through someone else.

Always…

Leo cleared his throat. “Alpha Pierce also asked me to remind you about tonight’s dinner at the North villa. He’ll come pick you up.”

Right, I almost forgot.

The monthly dinner.

Where I was always reminded that I didn’t belong in that place.

Where Isabella would sit like a queen at the head of the table while I stayed silent—almost invisible.

I used to think blood was enough.

That being born of the Alpha made me part of this family. That even if my mother was an Omega, not Luna, they would still see me.

I was the firstborn daughter. By the ancient laws of our Solhaven pack, that made me the rightful heiress to the North bloodline—regardless of who my mother was.

Even the Moon Goddess had acknowledged the bond when Ethan and I were chosen.

But none of that ever mattered to them.

The moment Isabella was found and brought home—the Alpha's beloved child with his Luna—I became the mistake they couldn’t erase.

They said I wasn’t Luna-born. That I didn’t deserve the name. That my mother had tricked her way into the Alpha’s bed and left nothing but shame behind.

Although my mother may not have been Luna, she was loyal. She raised me alone, with dignity—even after they stripped her of everything.

Isabella might’ve had their love. But I was the one born to lead.

And for a time, Ethan knew that too.

That's why he chose me. Or maybe… that’s why he settled for me.

Either way, it doesn’t change what I am. It doesn’t erase what they did. And it sure as hell doesn’t mean I’ll let them keep taking from me.

But tonight… I still had one reason to go.

Grandma.

She was the only one who ever treated me like family. And I had something important to give her—her medication, the one I had ordered in advance and wrapped carefully last night.

I nodded. “Okay.”

……

At exactly 4 pm., Sarah entered the room with a dress in hand. She was the one to help me dress up.

“How about the emerald green, Luna? You always look lovely in it.”

I shook my head gently. “Anything but that one.”

I felt the way she froze at my reply.

That dress—Ethan once said emerald green brought out the color of my eyes.

But that was in the past—when I still wanted to believe him, foolishly.

“I’ll find something else,” Sarah immediately understood.

A moment later, my phone buzzed.

Since I became blind, Ethan had my phone customized so it would be easier for me to use.

And from the tone of it, it sounded like a voice message.

I pressed a button to play it.

The same excuse…

What else do I expect from him, anyway?

—

The sky burned orange and red as I stepped out of the car in front of the North estate.

Though I couldn’t see it, I could feel the heat fading from the sun. Another beautiful sunset was lost to me.

The familiar scent hit me—jasmine and warm stone.

But before I could fully inhale the fragrant air, I heard footsteps approaching—two sets.

“Claire! I'm glad you made it,” Isabella’s voice rang out behind me.

She walked up alongside someone with very familiar footsteps.

I didn’t need to ask who.

“I overdid it with wine last night,” Isabella said sweetly. “My stomach’s a mess, so Ethan gave me a ride. We were going to pick you up too, but the traffic was horrible. You’re not mad, are you?”

Mad?

I wanted to laugh.

He just told me he was still in a meeting and would come late.

But he was able to pick up Isabella right on time.

Isn't it ridiculous?

Before I could answer, Ethan’s cool scent wrapped around me as he encircled his arm around my waist.

My stomach churned.

I couldn't stand him being this close to me while Isabella freely looped herself around him every time.

I wanted to throw up.

How could this man be so thick-skinned?

But I said nothing—just tightened my grip on my cane and started walking.

Ethan was still beside me, guiding me along the way.

Isabella giggled from behind. “I guess she's still mad at me.”

Ethan kept quiet, and so did I.

We entered the villa first.

As soon as we stepped into the living room, I was greeted by a sharp voice.

“Oh, it’s you? I thought it was Isabella.”

It's none other than the Alpha's Luna—Isabella’s mother.

She brushed past me like I wasn’t even there, beaming the moment she saw her daughter.

“Isabella! Mama missed you so much. Let me take a good look at you.”

I stood near the doorway, invisible as ever. My hands curled into fists at my sides.

“Are you alright?" Ethan's low voice rang in my ear.

I only nodded at him—completely unfazed by his pretend care.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps charged down the stairs.

“Alpha Ethan! It's good to see you here."

It was Neil—the youngest brother.

"My pleasure,” Ethan replied casually.

Then I felt his attention shift toward me.

“You again?” he scoffed disdainfully. “What an eyesore.”

“She’s your older sister."

I heard Ethan's low, growly voice echo beside me.

“She’s not my sister," Neil spat coldly.

Then he passed me—all warm greetings and affection showered on Isabella.

Of course.. She was the apple of their eyes, the center of everything.

But I hadn’t forgotten the horrible things she’d done to me.

The sketchbook incident. My dog that she killed.

Her beatings and punishments. The time I nearly lost the use of my hand.

Every time she hurt me, the family took her side.

She stole my place.

My childhood.

My fiancé.

And now, my husband.