After five years of marriage, every woman in high society envied me, the blind wife.

Not only had I married a genius in AI tech, but my husband was also devoted and loyal.

Gabriel Thomas would take me every night, then personally bathe me afterward.

During one intimate encounter, my sight suddenly returned.

I discovered the lover embracing me wasn't Gabriel at all, but a faceless robot.

Beneath the dim, intimate lighting, I heard Gabriel's familiar muffled groan.

And in his arms, he held an robot replica identical to his adopted sister.

All these years, Gabriel had never once touched me - every night played out this exact scene!

The famed devotion and loyalty had never belonged to me.

...

In the silent midnight, the bedroom hung thick with intimacy.

I stared in shock as Gabriel tenderly caressed the face identical to Karen Thomas's.

This kind of gentle caress—something I'd never once received in five years of sharing a bed with him.

As Gabriel neared his peak, the veins on his forehead bulged. He swiftly pressed his controller.

The robot covering me clamped hands over my ears, yet I still caught his loving whisper:

"Karen..."

Afterward, Gabriel shot me an icy glance, commanding the robot to carry me to the bath.

He protectively shielded Karen's replica, fearing my sweat might sully its surface. Even this imitation of Karen couldn't be tainted by me.

So this was why he'd always rushed me to wash afterward.

Karen was Gabriel's adopted sister, with no blood relation to him. Dorothy Thomas had brought five-year-old Karen from the orphanage during her charity work.

For decades Gabriel doted on his sister. I'd mistaken it for familial love, never suspecting this buried desire.

Everyone knew I'd loved Gabriel since childhood, though he'd never spared me a glance.

In high school, he was surrounded and beaten by older students. I'd grabbed a brick and charged at them, shielding him while blood streamed down my face.

Friends teased:

"Gabriel, your little child bride's fierce! Beauty saves hero - shouldn't you repay her with yourself?"

Gabriel paled, anxiously glancing at Karen in his arms, scowling:

"Don't talk nonsense. I held back to avoid scaring Karen. Who asked for her meddling?"

Later, when business rivals ambushed him after he took over the family company, I took the fatal blow to save him. I'd suffered a severe blow to the back of my head and lost my sight.

Friends teased again:

"Gabriel, Carol Flores blinded herself for you! Such rare devotion - why not marry her?"

But he retorted:

"Demanding repayment for kindness is contemptible. Besides, those attackers' origins remain unclear. How do I know she didn't stage this?"

So he believed I'd orchestrated my own blindness to trap him.

My heart finally died. I agreed to my family's arranged matchmaking.

Yet the night before the meeting, he appeared drunk at my doorstep.

"Carol, don't you love me?

Cancel the matchmaking. No one wants a blind woman. Marry me."

I thought he had uncovered the truth and was finally willing to accept me.

His words made my dark world suddenly feel like a fairy tale. Overwhelmed with joy, I nodded without hesitation.

But I failed to see the unmasked sorrow in his eyes or the reluctance in his voice.

Later, I learned from his friend that Karen's shower had broken that night, so she went to Gabriel's room to bathe.

When Gabriel returned from his business dinner, he saw Karen stepping out wrapped only in a towel.

He clenched and unclenched his fists. Before losing control, he draped his coat over her shoulders and fled like a man possessed.

I'd always dismissed it as coincidence. After all, I loved him so deeply.

Only now do I realize the signs had been there all along.

In five years of marriage, Gabriel never kissed me, never held me, and never let me touch him first.

Yet I deluded myself into believing it was just his cold personality. If he didn't care, why would he make love to me nightly and gently wash me afterward?

Even when his roughness left me pale with pain, I never complained.

But I never imagined he hadn't touched me at all!

Gabriel was my first love. How ridiculous that my first time was with a faceless robot!

This was his twisted way of remaining loyal to Karen.

He must've thought me blind, for he left the bathroom door wide open.

Today the robot malfunctioned, dumping me roughly into icy water. I gasped in shock.

Gabriel didn't even glance my way. He treated the replica like porcelain, wiping its skin with a handkerchief, and tenderly kissing its lips while murmuring:

"Karen... I want you..."

Afterward, the robot hurled me back onto the bed.

Gabriel lifted the replica, unaware I'd regained my sight, and looked down at me coldly:

"Sleep alone. I've work to finish in the study. Tomorrow I'll take you for your checkup."

Every time after intimacy, he'd find an excuse to leave.

I once believed him busy. Now I know he'd rather sleep holding Karen's replica than share my bed.

Our "intimacy" was just another lie to maintain his charade.

Numbly watching him leave, I took my phone and called my brother in France:

"Donald King... I want to come home."

"You ungrateful thing, finally remembered your brother?

By the way, with your eyesight issues, I suppose that genius Gabriel has to accompany you back home?"

Five years ago, my brother had already moved the family business to France and settled there.

I stayed in the country alone, all for Gabriel.

I wore a bitter smile:

"Bro, I can see now, and... I'm planning to divorce him."

My brother fell silent. He'd witnessed how I chased after Gabriel, and how Gabriel remained indifferent toward me all those years.

Had I not been dead set on marrying Gabriel, he would never have agreed to this marriage.

"Good riddance! What's so special about that Thomas guy?

The moment you sign those papers, I'll line up a hundred eighty male models for you."

"Gabriel will realize someday what a treasure he's lost. Let him live with regret."

After setting a date to visit him, I hung up and downloaded a divorce agreement template online.

Remembering my brother's words, I chuckled self-mockingly. Gabriel's heart only held Karen—why would he ever regret my leaving?

He married me merely to curb his desires, treating me as a convenient tool.

His only gesture for saving his life years ago was taking me for weekly eye checkups like a routine chore.

Wanting to know if my vision recovery was temporary or permanent, I hadn't told him about it.

Passing the obstetrics department, we ran into his friend James Mitchell. James teased:

"Gabriel, you and Carol have been married five years now—still no good news?

When will I finally see you two in my office?"

James was a renowned OB-GYN director.

Gabriel glanced at me dismissively, with icy tone :

"I don't want kids. We'll discuss it later."

Bitterness flooded me. For five years I'd longed for a child, yet never conceived.

Believing my body was at fault, I'd forced down cup after cup of stomach-churning herbal medicine.

Gabriel always watched me coldly as I vomited from the concoctions.

Only now did I understand—he wouldn't even touch me, let alone have a child with me.

Suddenly, Gabriel's gaze sharpened behind me, his face darkening.

I turned to see Karen arm-in-arm with a man, beaming while holding a medical report.

Gabriel shoved me aside, charging toward her, his eyes reddening with jealousy:

"Karen! What are you doing here?

Did you get a boyfriend?

Why didn't you tell me?

Who let you carry another man's child?!

I'm giving you three seconds—get rid of this bastard. I'll raise that child with you."

See? Even if the child wasn't his, he'd willingly raise it with her.

So it wasn't that he disliked children—he just didn't want them with me.

Karen froze. Her eyes darted between me and the obstetrics sign before welling with tears:

"What if I have a boyfriend?

What if I'm pregnant?

Why should I tell you?

I mean nothing to you anyway!"

Gabriel clenched his fists, struggling to contain his emotions, yet urgency bled through his voice:

"Nonsense! Who said you don't matter?

You mean more to me than anyone!"

"You liar!

How long since you last tucked me in?

You never play with me anymore! Now you're becoming a father—you'll be busy with your wife and kid. What am I?

Just leave me alone!"

Karen suddenly shot me a venomous glare. She lunged forward and snatched a glass bottle from a passing nurse—inside was an unknown liquid.

The nurse screamed in panic:

"What are you doing?

That's sulfuric acid!"

With a cold laugh, Karen rushed at me, pried my mouth open, and poured the acid down my throat.

"It's all because of you, you blind bitch! Forcing my brother to marry you! He's avoided me since your wedding—you've been badmouthing me!"

"Now trying to trap him with a baby?

Let me cleanse that filthy mouth! See how you'll turn him against me now!"

Scorching agony erupted from my throat.I clutched my neck and collapsed to the ground in agony, finding it harder and harder to breathe.

Before darkness took me, I saw James frantically calling for help.

Meanwhile, my husband Gabriel cradled Karen, anxiously checking her hands for acid burns.

Not even a glance spared for me.

I closed my eyes in desolation, tears of despair falling.

So this is how love looks... and how indifference cuts deeper.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a standard hospital room receiving IV nutrients, the burning pain in my throat unchanged.

I attempted to swallow and immediately broke into a cold sweat from the agony.

James pushed the door open and spoke upon seeing me awake:

"I consulted my colleagues. Though treated promptly, your esophagus and stomach lining suffered severe chemical burns. Even if you regain speech, your voice won't recover fully. You'll need IV nutrition for several days."

Despite mental preparation, my own raspy voice startled me.

"Did you bring me here?

Where's Gabriel?"

Each word felt like being flayed alive.

James hesitated, discomfort flashing across his face:

"He's in the VIP ward. Karen got sulfuric acid splashed on her finger—just a small blister. Gabriel's tied up caring for her..."

Clearly embarrassed, James gave brief instructions before hastily leaving.

I froze, at a loss for words.

When had I, Carol—once bold and unrestrained—been reduced to such a sorry state?

After a full week hospitalized with only hired caregivers, Gabriel never visited.

The day my throat pain slightly eased, I called the police to report Karen for intentional assault.

The officer soon called back, impatience dripping from his tone:

"Ms. Flores, do you know realize a false police report is illegal?!"

I stammered, "What do you mean?"

"Your husband just withdrew the case. He said you drank the acid voluntarily during a marital argument, then tried framing others. Do you comprehend how serious this is?"

"Considering minor severity and your condition, we're imposing a 500-yuan fine—already paid by your husband. Don't waste public resources again!"

How could this be? I protested hoarsely:

"That's not true! The medical staff can—"

Gabriel kicked the door open, snatched my phone, and ended the call.

His expression darkened:

"Carol, must you torment Karen? What good comes from jailing her? She's lived delicately—prison would destroy her. Don't be so cruel!"

A bitter laugh escaped me as I pointed at my throat:

"She can't endure it, but I can? Gabriel, listen to this voice! Doctors say it's permanent!"

"You may abandon me, but I'll fight for justice!"

Hearing my raspy, broken-bellows voice, Gabriel's eyes flickered with guilt before hardening:

"Karen acted impulsively. She didn't know you weren't pregnant—it wasn't intentional. I've confined her as punishment. Let it go."

"Oh? What kind of confinement?"

After a pause, he replied:

"This week, she stays nowhere except by my side. I'll watch her closely."

Meaning Karen would move into our home? My smile turned sardonic:

"In five years of marriage, when have you ever kept me by your side?"

Now she poured sulfuric acid down my throat. If not for the timely rescue, I'd be dead. Yet she's unharmed, staying by your side every day, parading before me, tormenting me?

"Gabriel, do you take me for a fool?

You just want to see her daily to ease your longing!"

Gabriel's face instantly darkened:

"Enough!

Karen and I are just siblings. Stop ruining her reputation. I let her stay at home to prevent her from acting rashly. Are you jealous of your own sister-in-law?

How utterly childish."

"You're blind. Keeping you with me all day endangers your safety. Even if you dislike Karen, you can't see her. Why be tormented?"

"Let this end here. Don't expect the hospital or James to testify for you. James is my friend, and this hospital belongs to the Thomas family. You'll get no evidence!"

His words stabbed my bleeding heart like sharp knives.

Perhaps from screaming too violently, the wound in my throat tore open again, and blood seeped from my lips.

Gabriel's brow furrowed as he urgently pressed the bedside call button.

Doctors and nurses rushed in to address my wound. I thrashed in agony, but my hands and feet were held down tightly.

Gabriel's phone rang. Karen's cooing voice pleaded:

"Gabriel, where are you?

Karen hasn't eaten—my stomach aches from hunger. Your maid's cooking is awful. I want your cooking~"

Gabriel replied tenderly:

"Alright, I'll come back to cook for you now."

Summoning unknown strength, I shoved the medical staff aside and clutched Gabriel's sleeve:

"Gabriel, I'm terrified and in pain. Please stay with me—just this once. Please?"

After hesitating, Gabriel pried my hand away:

"The nurse will care for you. Karen needs me—I can't abandon her. I'll fetch you in a few days."

My heart turned to ash. I asked quietly:

"Gabriel, did you ever love me?"

He paused at the doorway. After a long silence, he answered:

"You lost your sight to save me. I'll care for you forever."

"But I'll never let anyone harm Karen—not even my wife."

Nothing more was said beyond that.

Gabriel left without hesitation.

My heart died completely.

When I got home, Karen was directing people to clear out my walk-in closet. My clothes were trampled carelessly on the floor while Gabriel turned a blind eye.

I saw Karen mouthing to him:

"After all, she's blind—she can't see a thing anyway~"

Gabriel gave her an exasperated yet doting look. Karen bounced over:

"Carol, Gabriel bought me so many clothes and gifts lately that I need your closet. You won't mind, right?"

Since I was leaving anyway, none of this mattered.

"Whatever."

"I knew you'd be generous! I was impulsive that day—I'm insecure. Gabriel's always doted on me since we were kids. I worried if you had a baby, he'd focus only on you two. That's why I accidentally hurt you."

Gabriel shot her a warning glance. Reluctantly, Karen shoved a paper into my hand:

"He explained everything. To show sincerity, I wrote an Apology Letter! Read it, Carol—don't show Gabriel. He yelled at me that day for no reason! I wasn't pregnant with some other man's child, just period pains. He overreacted."

She knew I was 'blind', yet wrote this so-called apology. Not one actual "sorry" left her lips.

But Gabriel patted her head approvingly:

"Alright, I misunderstood. My apologies. You're so grown-up. You are the most sensible, Karen."

I'd chased Gabriel for years, endured countless heartbreaks. Never had he spoken to me so gently. Not to mention apology.

I glanced casually at the paper. Not an apology—just a word repeated endlessly:

"BITCH!"

Rage surged. I tore the paper to shreds and threw it at Karen:

"This is your apology?!"

Gabriel shielded her, shoving me down:

"Carol! Karen tried apologizing! What's wrong with you?!"

I let out a bitter laugh:

"Apology? Ask her what she wrote."

Confusion flickered in Gabriel's eyes. He moved to pick up the scraps, but Karen pulled him back, sobbing:

"I wrote apologies! Are you accusing me of mocking your blindness? Gabriel knows I'm careless and straightforward! I sincerely wanted to apologize to you!"

Her wails unraveled him. He snapped coldly at me:

"Carol, I said it's over. Karen admitted fault. She's shy—writing that letter took courage and sincerity. Your blindness isn't her fault. Must you bully her?"

I laughed until tears streamed down my face:

"You're right. My blindness isn't her fault. It's mine. I was wrong to ever fall in love with you."

"Gabriel, let's divorce."

Gabriel froze, his brows knitting together:

"Divorce?

You've got no one but me in this country. You're blind. Where would you even go? Planning to beg on the streets?"

"I just told you off a little, and you blow it out of proportion. If you don't want to live in peace, then stay here alone. When you've learned your lesson, have the housekeeper call me."

With that, he walked out with Karen.

I watched his retreating figure, a bitter smile touching my lips. Gabriel, you'll never get that call.

That night, Karen updated her Instagram—Gabriel had taken her to an auction, splurging on rare jewels for her.

Then Gabriel called me:

"I share the blame for today. I should've warned Karen you're blind. Next time I'll have her speak instead. But you shouldn't have embarrassed her like that."

"I bought you a necklace at the auction. A peace offering."

Hah. He got Karen over a hundred pieces. and I only deserved one—one that was nothing more than his charity.

I hung up without a word.

That evening, I dismissed the staff, packed my belongings, and dumped them in the trash downstairs.

Returning, I found Karen by the window. Our eyes met, and she gave me a look of realization:

"So you can see. What difference does it make?

Gabriel only cares about me. He's cooking dinner at my new villa right now. You'll never steal him."

I shrugged.

"I know. So I quit."

She stared at me skeptically.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

I led her to Gabriel's study, stopping before the floor-to-ceiling safe.

Pathetically, even its combination was Karen's birthday.

She froze in shock when she saw the silicone doll inside.

"You see? Gabriel loves you. In five years of marriage, he only let that robot be 'intimate' with me—he never touched me once. Meanwhile, he pours his heart out to your replica every day."

I handed her the divorce papers.

"Karen, I'm done with this three-way farce. I'm quitting—you two can play alone. Give him these."

I walked out without looking back, heading straight for the airport.

Meanwhile, Gabriel kept glancing at his phone while cooking, unease growing in his chest.

This was... the first time I'd ever hung up on him.