My Lover, My Enemy

The smell of disinfectant finally faded somewhat. When the doctor removed the bandage from my eyes, his fingertips felt faintly cool. "Slowly open your eyes and adjust to the light." I followed his words; the blurry light and shadows gradually came into focus. The first thing I saw clearly was the white ceiling, then the mask covering the doctor's face. Finally, my gaze rested on the familiar figure by the bedside. Three years had passed. For those three years, I was utterly blind. To me, the world existed only through sounds, scents, and touch. And he, Casper, was the only light in my dark world. He would read the newspaper to me every day, hold my hand as we strolled through the garden, and patiently feed me. His voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, and his fingertips always carried a faint scent of cedar. I had imagined his appearance countless times. He must have had gentle eyebrows and kind eyes, a pure smile, and perhaps a pair of faint dimples. But now, the face clearly reflected before my eyes made my blood run cold. Sharp brows and bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips pressed tight, bearing a trace of cold detachment. I will never forget this face for the rest of my life. Cameron Scott, my enemy. Throughout three years of high school, we were always the top two on the grade list, constantly competing with each other, both openly and in secret. He came from a privileged background, had a rebellious personality, and never took anyone seriously, including me. And that nightmare from three years ago was closely connected to him. Memories surged suddenly like a tidal wave. In senior year, Selena Sterling kept pestering me, asking for the purchase link to a limited-edition figurine. She said it was her favorite anime merchandise and insisted on getting it no matter what. I couldn't resist her persistent coaxing, so I sent her the shop link I had saved. Unexpectedly, that day, in her rush to pick up the goods, she was hit by an out-of-control truck while crossing the street. The news arrived while I was answering questions in the exam room. The moment I stepped out of the exam hall, Cameron Scott was blocking the school gate. He radiated a chilling coldness, his gaze as sharp as ice. "Aurora Donald, are you satisfied now?" His voice was hoarse, filled with overwhelming hatred. "Selena is still lying in the ICU—it's all because of you!" I froze, completely at a loss for how to respond. I had only recommended an address—how could that have led to such consequences? "You, cruel, don't deserve to remain at this school." He stepped closer and closer, the overwhelming pressure making it nearly impossible for me to breathe. "Either you drop out yourself, or I will make you understand what it means to wish you were dead." I was terrified at that moment. Selena Sterling's parents arrived at the school in tears, pointing at me and calling me a murderer. The classmates around me whispered and pointed, their eyes filled with contempt and fear. With Cameron Scott's relentless oppression, I eventually submitted my expulsion application. But fate seemed to deem the punishment still insufficient. On the third day after my expulsion, I was walking along the sidewalk when a motorcycle suddenly sped toward me. After the blinding flash, I lost my sight. When I awoke, the doctor told me that my retina was severely damaged and I might never see again. My world completely fell into darkness. Just when I was at my bleakest, Casper appeared. He said he was the son of a friend of my father's, sent to look after me. He cared for me with meticulous attention, gentle and considerate. I gradually became dependent on him, and six months ago, I even accepted his confession. I believed that even without sight, I had found someone to rely on for life. But now, the Cameron Scott before me—how could he possibly be the same person as the gentle Casper? He seemed to notice my shock; a flicker of panic flashed in his eyes before he quickly regained his composure. "Aurora, you can finally see." His voice remained gentle, yet to me, it sounded unbearably sharp. "You..." I parted my lips, my voice shaking uncontrollably, "Are you Cameron Scott?"