THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW
The door made a soft click as it swung open no creak, just the quiet sound of metal against wood. Sera froze, her breath catching in her throat. Not a stitch of fabric covered her body; her hands were pressed tight against her chest and hips, fingers curling into her own skin. For days she'd put off tending to the fine, dark curls that grew between her legs, and now the thought of anyone seeing them made her stomach clench.
"Who's there?" she called, her voice sharper than she'd intended. When silence answered, she tried again, softer this time: "H Hello? L Lucian? Is that you?"
The air in the room felt still, heavy. I can't stay like this forever, she muttered, letting her shoulders sag. Maybe it was just the wind she'd felt drafts before, pushing at doors and curtains. Lucian had left earlier, and no one else would dare walk into her room unannounced. Lola Cathy would have called out the moment she stepped inside.
Slowly, she let her hands fall. Cool air brushed over her skin, and she exhaled a shaky breath. How am I supposed to shave? she wondered, wincing as she felt an itch along her inner thigh, right where the hair grew thickest. Useless. I should've kept up with it before… Her lips pushed into a pout, arms crossing over her chest to ward off both chill and shame.
"Okay, Sera. You've got this." She planted her palms on her hips, steeling herself. She'd grown used to moving without sight no longer stumbling over every rug or chair leg, but still needing to map the space in her head. Next time she'd ask Lucian for a cane, something solid to guide her through the invisible obstacles that lined her path.
"Slow down," she breathed, inching forward toward the sound she'd heard. Each step was deliberate, her bare feet finding the smooth wood of the floor, then the slight dip where the rug began. After a few careful paces, her fingers found the doorframe and the door itself, closed tight against the hallway.
Then why did I hear it open? She ran her hand along the wall beside her, patting the air as if she might find a cabinet or a shelf she'd forgotten. Nothing. "Great," she muttered, slumping her shoulders. "Now ghosts are playing tricks on me. What else makes a sound like that?" She snapped her fingers in frustration. Or was it just me?
It didn't add up. But what could she do? If someone wanted to hurt me, they'd have done it already. A shaky laugh escaped her lips. The quiet was eating at her no music, no screen light to fill the dark. Just the sound of her own breathing, and the hum of the fan overhead.
She turned back toward the bed, her legs brushing against the mattress before her hands found it. She sank onto the edge, running her fingers through her hair as she stared into the blackness in front of her. Then she began to pat the sheets, searching for her clothes.
The work was slow, tedious her fingers sliding over fabric, folding and unfolding until she found what she thought was her shirt. She was lucky, she knew that. Lucky to have a roof over her head, even if it came with strings she'd never agreed to sign. A husband she'd never wanted, tricked into a contract she'd thought was for caregiving.
"That bastard conned me!" she hissed, still patting the bed. What about school? I was so close just a few more months and I'd have my diploma. Her teeth worried at her lower lip, sadness weighing heavy in her chest. What's the point now? A blind woman can't work like everyone else… nothing will ever be the same.
Reality settled over her like a wet blanket. Blind, living with a stranger she was legally bound to, with no say in any of it. Anger flared hot in her ribs. "I can't even shave myself! What kind of life is this? Am I just here to be punished?"
"Do you need me to help you with that, Sera?"
The voice was low, close so close she could almost feel the heat of his breath on her neck. Sera jolted, losing her balance and tumbling to the floor. Her hands flew to cover herself as her heart hammered against her ribs, so hard she thought it might break through her skin.
"L Lucian?! Is that you?" She stammered, her voice trembling as she turned her head toward the sound.
"Yeah. It's me."
Fury tightened her jaw. "You pervert! How long have you been there? Why didn't you say something?!"
A low chuckle rumbled through the dark, and her blood simmered hotter.
"I was busy."
"Busy?! Busy doing what watching me flail around like an idiot?!"
"Admiring my woman's naked body."
Shock stole her words. Her face burned so hot she was sure it glowed in the dark, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Anger warred with embarrassment at his silence, at his casual claim, at everything he'd kept from her.
"Y You!" She pushed herself up on one elbow, pointing in his direction without caring if she missed. "You could've told me! I found out I was married from someone else for God's sake, I had no idea!"
"I bought you ice cream," he said, his voice softer now. "Different flavors. Ten cartons total we're fully stocked."
The anger in her face melted away, the tight lines around her eyes smoothing out. We? She arched an eyebrow. "Is that for real?"
"Mm-hmm." He laughed softly, and she could almost picture the curve of his lips.
"Now that's more like it!" She sat up straighter, though she still kept her hands pressed to her skin. "But are you going to explain everything? Please don't make me feel like a fool. Tell me what you want from me. I'm tired of being in the dark…"
"Don't worry. I'll tell you everything you need to know."
She fell quiet, a strange knot forming in her stomach. Why do I feel like he's still hiding something? Like there's more to this than he's letting on? Could she trust him? The thought made her chest ache.
"Fine," she said, letting out a bitter laugh. "Do I even have a choice? Come on then I'm ready to go." She started to stand, only to freeze as his hand closed around her right wrist. His fingers were warm, solid against her skin.
"What now? Let's go!" She snapped, trying to pull away.
"You're forgetting something."
She scowled. "What now?"
A single finger traced a light line along her waist, from her hip to her ribs. Electricity shot through her, making her skin prickle and her breath catch. Oh God. How could she have forgotten? She was still bare, every inch of her exposed and he'd seen exactly what she'd been so ashamed of.
"D Don't look at me!" She shrieked, scrambling to cover herself again even as she knew it was pointless.
"How can I help you if I don't look?" His voice was low, steady.
He had a point. She couldn't ask him to hand her clothes while pretending he couldn't see her. Still, her cheeks burned with heat. "I It's not… it's embarrassing. Just give me my clothes I can dress myself, I know where everything goes."
"Hmm. I heard you complaining about your cute little curls earlier. I can take care of that for you. I'm here to help let me ease your mind."
She grimaced, rubbing her face in frustration. He wasn't going to back down, and honestly… he'd already seen everything. What difference would it make now?
"B But you're a man, Lucian. That's not… normal"
"I'm your husband." The words were firm, unyielding. "You have nothing to be ashamed of."
"We're married, but I didn't agree to it. That's not the same thing."
"Well. You can't change it now. You need to accept that."
His tone was cold, hard like a stranger's. Goose bumps rose on her skin, and she let out a long sigh. "Yeah, right. You're Mister Big Shot everyone does what you say." She rolled her eyes, even though he couldn't see it.
"Do you even know how?" she asked, her patience worn thin.
"I can do anything, Seraphina."
"Oh really? Fine! Let's see if you can actually shave a woman properly. So cocky…" she muttered under her breath.
"Alright then. Help me get dressed first. And I want ice cream before we do anything else."
He laughed warm, genuine this time. "As you wish, my lady."
A small smile tugged at her lips despite herself. She'd never understand him cold one moment, kind the next; frightening, then absurd.
Which version of you is the real one? she wondered, as his hands found hers and guided them toward her shirt.