A Sour Betrayal

Anna Carter Lee sat on the black leather seat of a private hospital's examination room. Her heart rate rose with each passing second and her jade-green eyes blinked uncomfortably.

It's been over ten minutes since her doctor checked her eyes and stepped away to stand in front of the monitor at the other end of the room.

Her mother, Jessica Carter, who stood by her side, gave her hand a gentle squeeze as a way of offering comfort. Even with makeup on, she looked haggard as ever, her lipstick and blush doing little to brighten her complexion. 

"Anna, everything will be fine," she whispered assuredly.

Just then, the doctor smiled warmly as he watched the progress on the monitor in front of him. 

"Anna," Doctor Charles began, his voice filled with a mix of joy and anticipation that immediately caused heads to turn towards his direction."I have good news for you," he announced. "Your eyes have made incredible progress. The changes are truly remarkable."

"Really? What does that mean?" Anna's beautiful eyes glistened with tears as she stared at a spot on his white coat. Her heart raced with hope as the clutch on her mother's hand tightened.

The doctor pointed to the monitor displaying detailed images of her eyes before and after treatment. "Your sight can now be corrected through surgery. The improvements in your eyes give us a high chance of success."

"I will be able to see soon?" Anna inquired, her eyes welling up with tears.

Anna was blind. She really wished she could see the progress the doctor was talking about but her mother's reaction to the news was enough to tell her that everything was moving along well.

Her mother swiftly turned to her, her eyes lighting up brightly. "Oh my gosh… Thank you, Doctor, thank you! Anna, this is amazing news!"

That confirmation brought tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't help expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, Doctor… thank you."

Regarding the details of the surgery, Doctor Charles assured them that it would be scheduled as soon as possible.

The good news had sent her reeling in disbelief; Anna didn't even know how she made it into the cab. It was only when she felt her mother's warmth on her hands that she reacted. 

"Mum," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm going to be able to see again." 

Happiness was an understatement. She felt as though she was about to burst with joy.

"Of course you are." Ms. Carter brought her into her arms as her eyes turned teary.

"Mum, can you drop me off at Susan's place? I need to share this good news with her." Anna requested, wiping her tears with her index finger.

"But you can do it over the phone," Ms. Carter stated, frowning. Deep lines were etched on her forehead as she spoke. "Anna, you need to rest."

"Mum, Susan is my best friend," she reminded gently. "I should tell her about this in person. She deserves at least that."

"What about your boyfriend?" Her mother retorted. She felt that he should have come first.

Instantly, a small smile cut across Anna's lips. "I will share the good news with Sam later. I need Susan's help to surprise him!"

***

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Susan was a little occupied.

"Sam," the chestnut-haired lady called out flatteringly with pouted lips. "Do you have to leave now?" she asked as she struggled to put on her cotton white night dress under the duvet.

Sam turned to her with a playful grin hanging at the corner of his lips as his fingers quickly worked on his shirt buttons. "I sneaked in here to spend the night with you," he reminded her.

Sam was a pretty boy with innocent looks and it was exactly what Anna loved about him before she lost her sight. 

"That's not enough reason to leave now." Susan stole a glance at the floor-to-ceiling window before she quickly diverted her gaze to him. "My parents are gone for the week for work, remember? You can stay longer."

"Maybe next time," Sam said, insisting on leaving. But seeing the frown creasing her brows, he managed a smile and was about to head over to comfort her when a soft knock sounded on the door.

The duo exchanged surprised glances, but before any of them could do anything, the door was pushed open, and in came Anna wearing a beautiful smile on her face while being supported by a maid.

There had been a smile on the maid's face earlier on but as soon as she saw the scene before her, she blanched white. She was truly horrified as she just realized the terrible mistake she had made.

The maid was not the only one horrified. The expressions on Sam and Susan's faces did not look good either.

They were shocked and at a loss on what to do but Anna seemed to be the only one oblivious to the tension in the room.

"Susan?" she called out softly as her hand escaped the maid's clutches. She continued in her little steps. Slowly, her brows creased as she picked up a familiar scent. She could also somewhat feel someone standing before her. "Is there someone else here?" she asked as her hands patted the air.

Sam was standing right in front of her but seeing her movement, he tried to escape without alerting her. It was also at this moment that Susan's brain booted. She quickly jumped off the bed and came to take Anna's hand, giving Sam the chance to take silent steps backward.

"Anna, what a surprise. You didn't mention that you were coming." Susan smiled accusingly at the maid as she led Anna toward the couch on the left side of the room. She had wanted to take her to the bed, but it was still a mess.

Meanwhile, the maid who knew that a death sentence awaited her, quickly turned and left with Sam silently following after her.

"Oh… I was in a rush," Anna answered, still a little disturbed by what she had felt a few seconds ago. "Were you with someone earlier?" she inquired as she settled on the soft couch.

Susan's smile faltered, but she quickly shook her head. "No, of course not. Apart from you, who would dare to visit me when I'm sleeping in?"

"Oh?" Anna mused. "Is that so?"

There was a nagging voice in her head that told Anna that Susan was lying. She might be blind but she wasn't daft. She had definitely felt someone else present for a short while.

Perhaps if Susan realized that Anna depended greatly on her other senses due to her blindness, she would've told a better lie. Yet, Susan only laughed sheepishly.

"Come on, Anna, why would I lie―"

As if the heavens wanted Anna liberated from this false relationship, a familiar ringtone blared. Both women stiffened.

There was only one person Anna knew with that unique ringtone, and it happened to be the only man she ever allowed near her since she had lost her vision.