Blind ex-husband Loves me Again

Chapter 2: Mistress’ Trap

Vera's POV

"I won't marry her." Howard's voice fell to the ground like ice cubes.

Awkwardly standing in the corner, I felt like my legs were crawling with ants and there was no way to escape from the room.

Isabella heard those words, and a smile graced her lips. She hugged Howard's neck and whispered, "So, stay here with me tonight, and don't go anywhere, okay..." 

Her doe-like eyes locked onto mine, Contemptuous, mocking me.

Howard was comforting Isabella like she was a child and all his attention was on her. He was ready to tell her anything to make her happy and I knew he meant that he wouldn't give me a wedding but hearing it from his mouth made it more painful. 

He was blind and couldn't see me but for him, I was invisible anyway. I stood trembling in the corner with my fists clenched, trying my best to keep the tears from pouring out. 

“What are you doing here?” Isabella suddenly sneered at me. I stood quietly in the corner ignoring her.

“When did you get inside? And why are you here?” Howard began with a very rude tone. He knew I was here from the beginning but didn't miss a single chance to undermine me. I was about to answer when he interrupted me, 

“Doesn't matter, get out now. Isabella needs to rest.” 

Isabella won once again and the most evil ridicule appeared on her face. I could see it and once again Howard was blind to it all.

I walked out and the doctor had finished bandaging me, I sat quietly by the hospital room, clutching my phone and staring out of the window. A sad smile played on my lips as I considered my situation. I was alone in this hospital hallway, physically and mentally wounded. 

I didn't dare to seek Howard, knowing that reminding him to take his medicine or come home would likely lead to more verbal abuse. So, I asked the driver to convey a message to him to take it medicine. 

Outside the window, the snow fell heavily, transforming the world into a wintery wonderland. Under the dim yellow lights that lined the streets, everything took on a dreamlike quality. The golden halos cast by the lamps bathed the surroundings in a warm and inviting glow, in stark contrast to the chill of the winter night. 

Much like Howard, I didn't feel superior to the household servants at the Kennedy residence. I had grown accustomed to this dynamic, accepting my place within the family. The only solace I found was in the peaceful nature, but even the weather seemed to be warning of an impending storm. 

At two in the morning, I almost fell asleep when my phone vibrated jerking me up. I answered quickly, and before I could speak, a sobbing voice came from the other end.

"Ver, Vera, your grandfather is in critical condition. The hospital has issued a critical notice. Hurry and bring Howard to see him one last time..."

My mother's voice was intermittent and hoarse. I was momentarily stunned, and tears welled up in my eyes. I attempted to speak several times, but words failed me.

I raised my hand to touch my forehead, my tears flowing uncontrollably, my hand trembling intensely.

"I, I'll come over now."

"Wait, grandfather wants to talk to you."

Helpless, I stood by the window, tightly biting my fingers, until a weak voice came from the receiver.

"Vera..."

"Papa, I'm here," I responded. I had always called my grandfather "Papa." He had been my rock throughout my life, and now it seemed he was about to leave me as well.

Struggling to control my trembling voice, I saw my pale face reflected in the window.

"Vera, the biggest regret of your papa's life... is not being able to see you in a wedding dress…” He was interrupted by a hoarse cough, and my mother's voice echoed from the other side of the phone, "Dad, easy!"

Before he could finish speaking, my grandfather started coughing severely and couldn't continue. My heart tightened, tears blurred my vision, and I covered my mouth, afraid of crying out loud.

"Papa, wait for me. I'll come see you now. You must wait for me!"

Panicked, I hung up the phone and ran like a madwoman to Isabella's room. 

“Madam, Mr. Kennedy has banned you from entering the room.” 

“Please, Please tell him it's very important.”

“I am sorry madam.”

I was refused entry into Isabella's room, but I didn't have time to blame Howard for his cruelty. I didn't even care about my injured foot. I headed out to the hospital gate, tried to hail a cab, and kept calling Howard on the way, but there was no response. 

Feeling helpless, I called the driver again. "Madam, Mr. Kennedy is busy at the moment. He..." I had no other option but to leave a message to the driver. I can't wait for Howard to come to his senses while Papa is on his deathbed. 

"Please tell him that my grandfather is critically ill and he wants to see him one last time. Please tell him, even if I have to beg, I will beg for his presence."

Howard's POV

When my driver knocked on the door again, I lost all my patience. I ordered him to come in but in a very low voice, because I sensed that Isabella was already asleep in the bed. I held her hand tightly and felt her even rhythmic breathing.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's ma'am..." he replied in a low voice.

I don't know what tricks Vera wants to play, but I will never allow her to disturb Isabella again.

 "I don't want to hear anything about her. Leave."

My driver seemed to take a deep breath, "Sir, this matter is really important..."

"Get out," I replied simply, leaving no room for further discussion.

"Okay. Don't bother me again," I warned, making it clear that I would not accept further questioning about Vera.

Vera’s POV

"Sorry, I can't help you."

I heard everything through the call. I clutched my phone, now wasn’t the time for me to lash out. 

As the wind and snow battered the car window, my hands on the steering wheel trembled. The screen of the Bluetooth device in the car kept dialing Howard's number, but there was still no response. 

Howard Kennedy, you’re cruel. Slowly, an unknown emotion began to creep inside me, and I couldn't help but feel abandoned and alone.

As I drove past the bridal shop, something inside me suddenly snapped. I slammed on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I stumbled out of the car and walked towards the enticing window of the bridal shop. The dazzling display of wedding dresses beckoned me, each one a symbol of love, hope, and dreams.

I couldn't help but gaze at the wedding dress on the mannequin, its delicate lace and flowing train a testament to a future filled with happiness. A wave of hesitation washed over me, but I couldn't resist the urge that welled up within. I retrieved a sticky note from my car and hastily jotted down a phone number. With determination in my eyes, I stuck the note to the shop window, a silent plea for something that I had longed for.

Then, with a mix of despair and newfound resolve, I reached for the fire extinguisher I kept in my car and shattered the glass. The alarm bells rang, and the sound of breaking glass filled the air, but I was undeterred. It was an act of desperation, a manifestation of my pain and longing that had been suppressed for so long.

Moments later, I sped to the hospital as quickly as I could, my heart racing not only from the urgency of my grandfather's condition but also from my impulsive actions at the bridal shop. When I arrived at the hospital, I was met by my mother in the corridor. She froze in her tracks, her eyes widening in shock as she took in my disheveled appearance.

I shivered from the cold, and stood before her, my lips slightly purple, and my face drained of color. The bandaged foot that had been injured in my earlier accident had lost all feeling from the cold, and I could only hide it under my dress.

I swallowed hard, my breath visible in the frigid air. My impulsive actions were a reflection of the pain I had been carrying for far too long. It was a desperate attempt to break free from the chains that bound me and to express the dreams and desires I had suppressed for too long.

My mother finally found her voice, a mix of concern and confusion in her tone. She was concerned to see me in such a mess. 

"What is this, Vera?"