Chapter 1

For three years, I had been Samuel Jackman's secret girlfriend. And I was meant to stay in the shadows as I lost my sight three years ago. In the fourth year of my blindness, I clung tightly to the dry, large hand I remembered from memory, my voice trembling as I asked, "Samuel, where's Lucky? W-Where are we?" Lucky was my guide dog—a gift from a friend when I first lost my sight. "Theeland," he replied. "I-I know we're in Theeland. But why don't I hear any voices? I'm scared…" I knew Samuel had brought me to Theeland the day before. But now, a strange, indescribable scent wafted through the wilderness—a hot, putrid smell. "Do you know the price of abandonment?" Samuel's voice, usually so gentle, now carried an icy, chilling edge that was devoid of warmth. I turned blankly toward the direction of his voice, utterly puzzled. What was he saying? Abandonment? "Do you know why your family went bankrupt? It was all my doing," Samuel said coldly. "If they weren't ready to adopt a child, they shouldn't have abandoned Yvie!" My thoughts drifted back to three years ago, to the moment I witnessed my father jumping off a building and my mother holding me tightly as creditors banged on the door. She kept apologizing to me over and over as she covered my eyes with her hand. Through her trembling fingers, I caught a glimpse of the gash on her neck—a deep wound from a fruit knife. It was spurting blood uncontrollably. Eventually, her hand grew cold and stiff. Only now did I realize that Samuel was the one responsible for my parents' bankruptcy. I shook my head desperately. "They didn't abandon anyone. I don't know anything about abandonment—" Suddenly, Samuel yanked my hair viciously, snarling, "Your family adopted Yvie, but you couldn't accept her—an elder sister who appeared out of nowhere. You pushed her into traffic, causing her severe injuries at just seven years old! But that wasn't enough. Later, you even forced your parents to abandon her." Before I could respond, Samuel shoved me forward. The relentless sound of honking cars surrounded me, but I couldn't see anything—not the vehicles, not even a single ray of light. "It's time for you to experience the helplessness she once endured," Samuel said, his voice icy. The memory of being pushed into a bustling road when I was five came flooding back. Horrified, I screamed, "Lucky! Lucky! Lu—" Something suddenly hit my leg and landed against my foot. It felt furry. Trembling, I crouched down to touch it, only to find the cold, stiff body of a guide dog. My hand traced along the collar, and I found its name tag. The engraved letters spelled "Lucky". Tears streamed down my face instantly. A car zoomed past me, its tires crushing Lucky's body with a sickening crunch. Panicked, I stumbled backward, engulfed by the blaring of horns. Covering my ears, I sobbed uncontrollably. I wanted to live. I didn't want to die… Suddenly, without thinking, I bolted in a direction where I thought I could faintly see light. With a loud thud, I slammed into a railing, and the overwhelming sensation of falling took hold of me. "Jules!" I heard Samuel's scream, followed by screeching brakes and the abrupt silence of horns. "So, these cars were arranged by Samuel." That was my final thought before plunging into darkness. … The impatient sound of knocking jolted me awake. I opened my eyes abruptly, wincing at the harsh glare of a fluorescent light. Instinctively, I raised my hand to examine my fingers—clenching and unclenching them, noting every tiny detail with perfect clarity. I was alive? And I could see? "What are you doing in there? Everyone's waiting for you." Samuel's voice came from outside the door. I sat up in shock, feeling my blood run cold as I clenched my fists and stared at the door. Frantically searching for something to defend myself, my gaze landed on the hotel tissue box with its logo printed on it—Holiday Ski Resort. I distinctly remembered that the day I died had been the hottest day of summer, and I had been right in the heart of Theeland. So why was I now at Holiday Ski Resort? I had only visited this resort once—three years ago when Samuel brought Yvette Stone and me here to ski. That day, Yvette got injured, and Samuel drove her to the nearest hospital, leaving me alone at the resort. That night, someone entered my room, tore my clothes, and took photos of me. What was supposed to be a medical leave from school turned into an expulsion for "bad social influence". I was left without family or friends—not even classmates. Ever since then, I was like a caged canary with clipped wings, bound to Samuel's side as his secret girlfriend. Samuel even told Yvette that I was just a pitiful friend of his. A pitiful and pathetic friend, indeed. For I had mistaken my enemy as my lover. The sound of the door unlocking brought me back to reality. Samuel handed the room card to a staff member and walked in with a disdainful look. When he saw me sitting on the bed, his expression grew even more annoyed. In my previous life, I hadn't been able to see his expression due to my blindness. Now, I could clearly observe every detail of his irritated face. "Why didn't you answer me if you've been here all along? Everyone's waiting for you!" I suddenly stood up, grabbed the cane beside me, and tapped my way toward the door. Before I could reach the doorknob, Samuel yanked me back forcefully. I saw a young lady standing outside the room in the hallway. She had to be Yvette. So, this was what she looked like—a sweet lady with innocent eyes and fair skin. When she saw me, Yvette smiled, looking like a well-protected princess. No wonder she was Samuel's treasure, the one he held dearly in his heart. Samuel's displeased voice sounded behind me. "Why aren't you in your ski suit yet? Do you want me to give you a hand?" Yvette turned to Samuel. "Stop teasing Jules, Samuel. Don't tell me you'll actually help her get dressed? You're a man; you shouldn't be helping Jules with her clothes." Sensing he had misspoken, Samuel's expression shifted slightly. He quickly flashed her a smile before pushing me back to the room and then leaning against the door with a smug look. "Heh, what are you implying, Yvie? Of course, she dresses herself. She's just a little slower. She's just a friend of mine. I took pity on her, so I brought her here to lift her mood. Why would I help her get dressed? "Why don't you head downstairs first? Jules may take some time, and the air here isn't great. You might get bored waiting for us." Despite Samuel's considerate tone and seemingly light movements, the force of his hands was harsh. I nearly hit the wall. I felt as if I were hurled into the room like cargo. In front of Yvette, Samuel claimed I was only a pitiful friend. Yet I couldn't help but wonder if she had never suspected anything about our relationship in the following three years. How adorably naive. After Samuel gently persuaded Yvette to go downstairs, he returned to the room and locked the door behind him. The warmth on his face vanished completely. He began undressing me. "Looks like you really want me to dress you, huh?" I grabbed his hands and clutched my collar tightly. "I can do it myself. Get out." He pinned my shoulders and shoved me onto the bed. "Why are you acting up today? It's not like I've never dressed you before. Once we're done, we'll go downstairs immediately." As I began to struggle violently, I noticed his breathing growing heavier and heavier. The next moment, he pinned my wrists above my head, bit my neck, and sneered, "What a bitch. Trying to seduce me with resistance?" I froze. I had always been his obedient secret lover for three years, never once defying him. Therefore, he had never spoken to me like this before. His gaze was filled with contempt, yet there was a hint of desire buried within it.