Chapter 3

Molly woke with a splitting headache.

She propped herself against the headboard, staring in confusion at the completely unfamiliar decor and furnishings surrounding her.

This wasn't her home.

Before she could fully process her situation, her phone buzzed with a message notification.

It was from Nathan.

[Your husband caught you bar-hopping last night. Better think of how you're going to explain that one.]

Molly's brow furrowed as she grabbed her phone and called him back.

He picked up immediately.

Molly rubbed her throbbing temple with her free hand, her voice hoarse from the previous night's drinking.

"What exactly happened last night? My husband caught me drinking? And why didn't you take me home?"

Nathan's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "I didn't have a choice. You were already wasted when we left the club. I was going to drive you home myself, but Edward said you were his wife and it was his responsibility to take you home, not leave you with another man. He had a point."

A flicker of guilt crossed Molly's eyes.

When he put it that way, it really was her fault.

After all, legally speaking, they were married.

"Alright, I get it."

After hanging up, Molly got out of bed, surveyed the room's layout, and headed downstairs.

In the first-floor dining room, Edward sat at the table, elegantly eating breakfast.

It was such an ordinary activity, but paired with his perfect face like a work of art, it was absolutely captivating.

She paused on the staircase, quietly observing Edward.

Hearing footsteps, Edward instinctively looked up.

He was God's favorite, blessed with exceptional talent and breathtaking looks.

Those dark eyes seemed to hold an irresistible magnetism.

Molly studied him, lost in thought.

Wasn't Edward supposed to be blind?

His eyes looked perfectly normal.

"You're awake," Edward spoke first.

Molly snapped back to attention and descended the stairs. "Mm."

She sat across from Edward, still carefully observing his eyes. When he blinked, she finally noticed something off.

The corners of both eyes showed traces of white.

Edward's hand rested on the table as he reached for his milk and took a sip.

Molly could now confirm the rumors weren't false—he really couldn't see properly.

She sighed inwardly. Seeing such a former golden boy reduced to this state was truly heartbreaking.

Years ago, she and Edward had actually met once, though she wondered if he remembered.

She'd been invited to a gala, but someone had slipped something into her drink.

She was drugged and barely conscious, and it was Edward who'd rushed her to the hospital.

The whole situation had been mortifyingly embarrassing; even now, thinking about it made her cringe.

She'd clung to Edward like a koala bear, reaching up to tug at his clothes.

Edward had fought to restrain her while gasping for the driver to speed up.

Thank God the hospital's medication had worked quickly, preventing an even more humiliating situation.

If Edward hadn't suffered those two devastating blows, such an advantageous marriage would never have fallen into her lap.

Molly pulled herself from these memories and quietly said, "Thank you."

She picked up her milk and sipped it slowly.

Edward had finished his breakfast and was wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"You..."

They spoke simultaneously.

"Go ahead."

Another eerily synchronized moment.

Looking at the white corners of his eyes, Molly quickly said, "You first."

Edward nodded slightly, not dwelling on the awkward timing, and spoke in his cool tone.

"This marriage arrangement was my mother's wishful thinking. I hope you won't take it seriously. I'll find an appropriate opportunity to convince her to let you leave."

Molly's grip on her milk glass tightened slightly.

So Edward really was that opposed to marrying her.

Edward continued, "If you need anything, you can ask me. But if you try to exploit my mother's desperation for me to have children, or do anything that harms the Howard family's interests, I won't let it slide."

His tone was clearly cold, even carrying a warning.

Feeling his resistance and rejection, Molly simply nodded, "Don't worry, I wouldn't do such things."

She loosened her grip on the milk glass and casually waved her hand in front of Edward's face.

But he caught her hand with pinpoint accuracy.

His palm radiated warmth; his long fingers were well-defined with prominent knuckles.

For some reason, Molly thought these hands would be perfect for playing piano.

She couldn't help asking, "Aren't you supposed to be blind?"

She'd heard that when people lost their sight, their other senses became incredibly sharp.

But Edward's precision seemed almost supernatural.

Edward's lips parted slightly, "The cancer affects my vision, but things are just blurry. I'm not completely blind yet."

"I see."

Only then did Molly realize her hand was still in Edward's grasp, his warmth flowing steadily into her skin. She could even catch a hint of his subtle, appealing woody scent, like the crisp, primal fragrance of a winter forest.

Molly quickly pulled her hand away.

She coughed uncomfortably and said, "Modern medicine is so advanced now. As long as you keep fighting, there's always hope."

She knew these were just empty words of comfort. Given the Howard family's status and wealth, what top-tier medical resources couldn't they access?

If Edward weren't truly beyond help, they never would have resorted to this method of securing his bloodline.

Edward's fingers curled slightly. "You can finish what you were going to say."

Molly straightened in her chair and looked directly into Edward's eyes.

"I'm willing to marry you and have your children."