A Façade of Kindness

She turned up the pressure, knowing this was the only way to make him agree. "Don't be afraid. Just follow me and I'll be holding your hand the whole way."

Nolan Emerson was stunned for a while, but then chuckled cynically.

What did she mean by 'be by your side'? A person could have a change of heart anytime they pleased, even if they said that they would 'be forever by his side'. The best example of this was his servants, who at one point vouched to serve him with their full loyalty. Ever since he had lost his sight, he had also lost his trust in people.

Thinking of all this, Nolan felt dejected again. Not wanting her to see his expressions, he ordered, "Get out."

"Sure." Amayah didn't argue this time as she tidied the plates and utensils, and then turned to leave the room.

***

Amayah headed straight for the kitchen to clean the dishes.

***

Sometime after the door was closed, Nolan decided to get up and take a shower to get ready for bed. Just as he was guiding his way towards the bathroom, he passed by the door.

Outside the room, two maids were gossiping about Amayah in a relatively audible voice.

"Why do you think such a young girl would marry such a useless blind man?" One of the maids questioned the other.

The other one instantly retorted. "Why else would it be if not for his money? Who would be so foolish as to throw themselves at an incompetent man so recklessly."

The previous maid acquiesced hearing the others' words. "Yes, I think you're right. She seems to be putting up a facade of kindness. She acted all kind and nice the first day she moved in but now it seems that she's showing her true character. She doesn't even bother to make an appearance downstairs for meals anymore."

"Ya, she's getting too full of herself now." The other one echoed her as they walked off down the corridor.

Even though their voices were faint, Nolan, who was inside the room, was able to hear it all. Ever since he'd lost his eyes, his other senses have been heightened, enabling him to hear their words clearly.

Hearing their words, he grimaced faintly. Even though some parts of their words were facts, others weren't. They were right: with the way he was now, being his wife brought her no benefits whatsoever. Even though she married him for the money, it was just one benefit, but the disadvantages were many.

She was an ordinary person who deserved to mingle a little. Was she supposed to languish in this lightless hole with him for all eternity?

***

Amayah finished cleaning up the kitchen and returned to the room.

She was about to continue persuading Nolan to go out for a walk when he said, in a hoarse voice, "Get out and leave me alone for a while."

Amayah was confused upon hearing his words. What was up with this man? Is he having periods or something? Why does he keep having these sudden mood swings?

She snorted and said teasingly, "This house might be big, but where could I possibly go?"

Everyone in the house considered her to be on Nolan's side, and only a few people were nice to her, like the butler. If she was chased out by her own husband, wouldn't it be the same as conveniently giving them something great to joke about? Even though she never heard it with her own ears, she was aware by the way some servants looked at her that they didn't have a good opinion of her. But she couldn't be bothered with them as she thought that 'Ignorance is peace.'

Nolan suddenly stood up, looking like he was seconds away from chasing her out himself.

With an unbothered tone, he stated, "I don't care where you go!"

At that, Amayah just pursed her lips unhappily, and gave him a final look before turning to leave. She walked out of the door and swung it closed behind her.

She couldn't help wondering 'Why was this man so impossible to understand?'

Shaking her head in dismissal, she could only look for a housekeeper to get the keys.

After all, she couldn't be sure when that man's mood would change again and she would be allowed to go back to the room.

She decided to go downstairs and look for the butler. Unexpectedly, she came across the same rude maid, whose name she'd known was Cora. She seemed to have the highest authority among the servants after Butler Alfred. So Amayah decided to ask her if she knew where she could find Mr. Alfred.

"Do you wish to sleep in a separate room from Master Nolan?" Ms. Cora asked without any good intentions in mind.

Amayah looked away and tried to dismiss the issue, saying, "Just for one night."

Ms. Cora shook her head, seemingly sympathetic. "What suffering you've had to endure. It looks like he doesn't acknowledge your love no matter how kind you are to him, does he?"

Amayah did not rely. She knew better.

Ms. Cora continued to advise her. "I suggest leaving Master Nolan alone the way he is and not concerning yourself with him. You could talk to Old Master Emerson at any point if you feel wronged; he'll surely stand up for you."

Amayah knew all too well what she was trying to get up to. How could she dare to complain to Old Master Emerson about Nolan? After all, he's her responsibility after their marriage. And she didn't have the heart to leave a blind person to fend for himself either.

She regained her senses and made up a pretext. "I don't feel wronged, I just feel like I've caught a cold and don't want to spread it to him. After all, he's already weak and if he'd caught a cold it would only be more troublesome."

Ms. Cora lost interest immediately. "Is that so? Wait here then, I'll fetch the room keys for you."