Marry Me, Miss Villainess - Chapter 75：DARKNESS

Dark.

Arianna opened her eyes but all she can see was darkness. She rose from the bed and felt her surroundings. She touched her face and felt layers of thin gauze wrapped around her head. What happened? Where is she? She climbed down the bed trying to figure out where she is but as soon as she took a step, she felt her legs bumping into something, followed by a slight tug on her hand and the sounds of unknown things clattering on the floor. She froze as she begun to worry she might tripped on them or something.

“Don’t move. You have just woken up. You might get dizzy and…. Oh! What happened to your drip!” Arianna heard a female voice from a distance and seconds later, she felt a pair of hands guiding her back to bed.

“What happened to me? Where am I?” she asked.

“Hi! I’m Jenny, your private nurse. Master Dylan hired me to take care of you.” the woman said as she started reattaching to the back of her hand the needle of her IV drip. She then walked around the room to tidy up the mess Arianna accidentally made when she bumped into the table of medicines and tug on her IV pole earlier. “From what I heard, Master Dylan found you floating somewhere near the west coast while he was out cruising in his yacht.”

Arianna didn’t say anything. Master Dylan? Sounds like a title and name for a haughty, rich, and prodigal heir of some billionaire. She really isn’t interested in knowing more about the guy. But she couldn’t say anything inappropriate since she still owes him her life. “What happened to my eyes?”

“Well….” The nurse was stunned for a while. She looked into those empty orbs and couldn’t help but feel sorry for the woman. “The doctor said it’s because of a neurological injury you suffered when you almost drowned.” the nurse confessed. “The doctor will come to see you later. We can ask him the details!” she said, feeling awkward.

Arianna was startled. A neurological injury? A brain trauma? So it means that her blindness is a permanent one? She’ll never get to see Yago again?

“It’s alright. I can roughly guess what he’s going to say….”she whispered.. “Do you know…. I used to be so scared of this darkness…” she stated in a sad tone.

“Well, isn’t it still a good thing that you’re alive? Although you lost your vision, you were able to keep your life. You were in a coma for several days that we almost thought you wouldn’t wake up ever!” the nurse said, trying to comfort her. She paused for a while and then thought of changing the topic instead.” What’s your name anyway?”

“Yanyan.” she answered. She’s still on the run. She couldn’t reveal her real identity, specially now that she has lost her vision. “Please thank your boss for me.” she mumbled.

“Sure. It’s a pity that you can’t see Master Dylan. He’s so handsome although he doesn’t talk much. I’m sure you’ll like him.”Jenny commented.

Jenny went on telling her about the person who saved her but Arianna remained quiet. When the nurse noticed her silence, she felt awkward and decided to leave Arianna on her own for a while. It couldn’t be helped. Losing one’s eyesight is a tragedy no one wants to experience. Although she wants to help boost her morale, she wasn’t experienced in this sort of thing and didn’t know how to convey such encouragement. It would be too insensitive of her if she insist on staying.

“I’ll go report on your condition right now. Rest for a while. I’ll come back to check upon you later.” She heard Jenny say before the sound of the door closing echoed.

Arianna sighed. She was crushed. What would be awaiting her beyond this darkness? Will she live the rest of her life this way? The darkness she hated so much as a child, now she needs to embrace it as part of her life. Tiny drop of tears fell from her unfocused eyes. How could she accept such a cruel fate?

***

Roy found himself alone when he woke up the next morning. He glanced at the digital alarm clock and the table next to the bed and found out it was already eight in the morning. He wondered where Belle could be.

Roy’s questions were answered when he went to visit the kitchen. He found Belle in front of the stove, a pot of steaming soup was cooking above it. She was too busy to notice him approaching, with her right hand holding a ladle, and her left holding a cookbook.

“Can I have a taste?”, Roy said from behind her.

Belle was startled. She didn’t realize Roy was watching her from behind. She felt embarrassed as she wasn’t very good in the kitchen.

“I don’t know. I think it tastes awful.” she answered.

Roy glanced at the mess Belle created at the kitchen. Looks like she’s been practicing since early morning. There were burned substances on the sink and on the trash bin. He really couldn’t recognize what kind of dish they were supposed to be.

Belle became more red-faced when she saw Roy survey the disorder in the room. “I’ll tidy up later.” she uttered.

Roy was about to reply when his phone suddenly rang. He just got his number changed after arriving this European city a few days ago. Only a few people have knowledge of his new mobile number so he was pretty sure the phone call was from someone important. He immediately took out his phone from his pants’ pocket and turned around to leave as he press the call connect icon on the phone screen.

Belle watched him leave with a frown. Lately, Roy has been very busy dealing with matters she wasn’t aware of. Well, it’s not that he wouldn’t tell her. Maybe it’s just that Belle wouldn’t dare ask. She doesn’t believe she has the right to. But still, she was curious as to what Roy has been up to. She used to think Roy was just an extravagant millionaire’s son who likes spending but hates working. But now, judging by his behavior, could it be that she’s wrong?

By the time Roy’s phonecall ended, Belle was already seated at the table with a few dishes served in front of her. Roy was wearing a serious expression when he entered the room. He pulled a chair while staring at her as if he wanted to say something.

“What is it?” she asked as anxiety crept through her heart. Roy wouldn’t break the eye contact with her and it made her somewhat nervous.

“Do you hate your sister?” he asked out of the blue.

Belle was dumbfounded. Does she hate Arianna? She did. But does she still detest her at the moment?

“I never liked her.” she answered.

“Do you want her dead?”

Again, the question made Belle tongue-tied. What kind of questions are these?

“No, I don’t. Why are you asking these things?” She was sure Roy was getting into something. But why must he go in circles?

“I’m just testing the waters. I don’t know how you’ll react after hearing the news.” he replied. This time, he looked away, making Belle more nervous.

“There’s news about her? She’s been found? Is she good?”,she asked, her voice trembled a little. But Roy didn’t answer her question and wouldn’t meet her eyes. Her heart began to race witnessing his odd reaction. “Is she dead?”

Roy sighed. “No. She’s alive.” he answered. He glanced at her, studying Belle’s reaction. She seemed to heave a sigh of relief. “I thought you wanted her gone. You said you hated her.”

“What’s the point of hating her now? We already live in two different worlds. Nothing connects us anymore. Not our relationships, not our families. We’re nothing but strangers now. Hating her just doesn’t make sense anymore.” Belle explained. She stretched her hand to reach for a glass of water but even before she could bring the glass close to her lips, Roy broke another news in front of her.

“Arianna is now blind.”

Belle almost dropped the glass of water when she heard that. She was unable to utter another word.

“Arianna lost her vision,” Roy repeated. “And it’s likely that she would never be able to see with her eyes ever again.”

Silence.

There was a long silence between them. After a long while, Belle stood up while laughing bitterly. She was trembling.

“So what? I don’t care!” Belle exclaimed before dashing out of the dining room.

Roy shook his head. It looks like Belle was upset. Maybe he should find a way to help Arianna get cured?

Belle went straight to her room in a hurry. She was pretty much shaken up. She caused this, didn’t she? It was her idea to take her away that day. Her mother did many evil things to Arianna’s mother back then and she paid for it with her life. What about her? How would karma make her pay? She didn’t even want to think about it. If only she could turn back time. If only…..