He Called Me Blind

CHAPTER SEVEN — A Stranger’s Coat

CLAIRE’S POV

When I opened my eyes again, the hospital room was too quiet.

My body still felt heavy, as if someone had drained the last bit of warmth from me.

The nurses came and went with the same routine—check my pulse, adjust the fluids, ask about the pain.

Their voices were soft and polite… but carried that faint, careful pity I least wanted to hear.

I didn’t have the strength to answer them.

So I lay there, letting them finish, letting them wrap the blanket over me as if it could stop the shaking that came from somewhere deeper than my bones.

The cold wasn’t in the room.

It was inside me.

My pup is gone.

And all that’s left is a hollow space in my chest, aching with every breath.

I made the choice—and I will carry it for the rest of my life.

If people call it selfishness, I won’t mind correcting them. They don’t know what it’s like to look at the future and see only chains.

I turned my face into the pillow—hot tears slid out in silence.

All my life, I had searched for a place that felt like home. For a while, I thought I’d found it in Ethan.

I was wrong.

Instead, I have found a cruel torment.

The IV drip ticked beside me, a slow reminder that time was still moving—even if I didn’t want it to.

Somewhere outside the door, voices murmured.

“The North family caused a scene today. Ms. Isabella fell down the stairs.”

“Her brother looked like he’d kill someone. And Mr. Pierce even demanded a full team of specialists—just for a few bruises.”

“That’s love, I guess.”

Their laughter was light, but it cut like a sharp glass.

I didn’t need to hear the name. I already knew who they meant.

Isabella, the princess who always gets the best treatment.

Meanwhile, there’s me—the discarded one.

I reached for the water on the nightstand with trembling fingers.

This time, I found the cup. Just that the water inside it had gone cold.

Still, I drank it. Each swallow seemed to freeze my throat and nerves.

Then, I closed my eyes, trying to block out everything that intruded on my senses.

Another woman in my shoes might not survive this. Some would’ve broken down, or even resorted to ending their life.

But even if I poured out every last tear… even if I ended everything right now… it wouldn’t bring anything back. It wouldn’t fix what was broken.

And worse, my mate would never care at all.

I need to stay strong, even though inside—I’m bleeding like a river.

___

The next day, I was discharged from the hospital at my own request.

I didn’t want to stay any longer—Ethan would already be wondering why I hadn’t come home yet.

I’m still feeling a bit weak, but I have to push through.

It was just me who had gone through all the discharge process, as I didn’t want anyone to know about this for now.

It’s not the right time yet.

Once I was done with the hospital bills, I was finally out.

With the help of my cane, I slowly walked outside.

The sun hit my face—warm but faint. The breeze was gentle, but my legs trembled—feeling like thin paper that could be blown by the wind at any moment.

Every few steps, my head spun, caused by the aftereffects of the medicines. I had to pause and close my eyes—waiting for the world to steady.

The cane I was gripping was the only support I had at this most depressing time.

I had been standing near the roadside for maybe fifteen minutes—my legs, already shaking, almost wanted to collapse.

But just when I was ready to take a step and find a place to sit down, I heard the smooth tires slowing beside me—followed by a car door unlocking.

“Where to, Ma’am?”

The voice was deep, and low—almost a vibration more than a sound.

My wolf stirred instantly, snapping awake from a long, watchful sleep. She’s not acting aggressive… just alert, listening.

I tightened my grip on the cane before turning toward him.

“Excuse me. Are you a cab driver?”

I kept my tone light, but my guard was up.

For some reason, my heart had begun to beat faster.

The man didn’t answer right away. He just stood there, and in that pause—I felt a light shift in the air.

“Yes, Madam. Wherever your destination is, I can take you there,” he spoke again, his tone becoming casual and neutral this time.

For a moment, I let my guard down. He didn’t seem like a bad guy anyway.

“Could you please take me to Cloudcrest Villa?”

“Of course, Madam," he agreed immediately.

The door opened, and the next thing that left me stupefied was a coat being draped gently over my shoulders.

“What are you doing?" I asked him, furrowing my brows deeply.

“Forgive me, Madam. I just thought you’re freezing. You might catch a cold, so I will lend you my jacket for a while,” his voice remained polite.

I stiffened for a second, unsure if I should accept the kindness or not. But the wind hit my skin again, so I gave in and didn’t dwell on that matter.

“…Thanks,” I murmured.

He didn’t speak much as we drove. But I could feel his eyes sometimes—through the mirror maybe, or just the shift in his presence.

I do believed he was just being kind. And it’s hard to find this kind of person nowadays.

I wanted to ask who he was, to thank him properly later for his compassion.

But I didn’t have the energy anymore, thinking I’m going back to the place I call home, and facing the man who had tormented me with lies for three whole years.

When we arrived at the villa, I handed him a folded bill.

“Keep the change,” I said quietly.

He hesitated before accepting it. Then came his plain voice.

”Take care of yourself, Madam.”

I didn’t reply. I just got out, walked to the door, and let myself in.

Only when I stepped inside the villa did I realize I still had his coat draped over me.

“Luna, you're back!"

Sarah exclaimed in an anxious voice when I entered the living room.

I only hummed as a response.

“Where have you been? The Alpha has been looking for you the entire night. Are you alright?” she asked, guiding me to the couch.

But I stopped in my tracks.

“I’m fine, don’t worry.”

"Would you like to eat? I will prepare your favorite dishes,” she offered.

I shook my head slightly. "I'm not hungry. I'll just take a nap upstairs.”

I felt Sarah's confusion over my strange reaction. But she didn’t press on.

“Alright, Luna. Just call me if you need anything, okay?"

I simply nodded before turning away, and headed to our bedroom.

Once inside, I took off the coat and gently placed it at the foot of the bed. Then I went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Later, after drying off and curling into bed, I stared at the ceiling absentmindedly.

The entire villa was too calm and serene.

My body still aches from the recent post-op. But my chest… ached more.

Until I heard a car pull into the driveway outside.

It should be Ethan.

But I didn’t move on the bed. I just listened to his firm footsteps coming in.

“Is Luna home yet?”

I heard his voice faintly as he asked Sarah just outside our bedroom.

“She just got back… and went straight to bed.”

Seconds passed, the bedroom door was pushed open.

His scent filled the space as he approached. I then felt him sit on the edge of the bed.

“Where have you gone? I was worried sick,” he asked, his voice restrained.

I knew he was angry. But I didn’t care. Whether I answered or not, to him—it would never matter.

I was done pretending.

And I won’t do it ever again.