An Eye for an Eye

Downstairs, 10,000 white roses formed a bed of flowers with 100 white candles scattered among them, surrounding a crystal box at the very center. Inside the box were my eyeballs.

Next to the bed of flowers stood a choir as well as a priest, whom Samuel had specifically invited.

He mentioned that Daeleen was the gentlest soul alive and that she would surely become an angel after death. Only a priest's prayers could ensure that Daeleen received my eyes.

Onlookers expressed envy, and some were even moved to tears by Samuel's devotion to Daeleen. What they did not know was that the romantic Capo they were admiring had plucked out his own wife's eyes, and that the owner of the eyeballs on display were now lying on a bed, staring into nothing but darkness.

There was no painkiller being administered. All the moans from the pain left me panting for air, with only the ventilator to keep me from suffocating.

Suddenly, the ventilator stopped, and the air purification machine beside me stopped, plunging my surroundings into silence. Without the ventilator's help, my breathing grew rapid, and my pain grew even more intense.

With the air purification system shut down, the supposedly sterile room was now no different from any other location. The surgery to remove eyeballs was an extremely risky procedure, and without proper environmental conditions, an infection would be inevitable.

A confused voice rang out from outside. "The power's out! What happened?"

Another voice replied, "The priest said that Daeleen's soul would follow the prayers and the candlelights to be led to this place. Samuel was worried that artificial lighting might interfere, so he ordered for the power to be cut."

"Oh my, what a wonderful man! I've always thought that the mafia were ruthless criminals. I never expected that they would have such an affectionate gentleman."

The very man they saw as romantic was putting on a show for his first love while disregarding the safety of his own wife. I felt as if I could pass out from oxygen deprivation at any given moment, but I did not want to die in such a pathetic way.

I already knew that my child was gone and, along with it, the last shred of love I had for Samuel. Fortunately, Samuel never locked my door, and he also did not station any guards by my bedside.

He must have thought that a blind woman could not possibly pose a threat to him. I fumbled my way out of the room. I recalled that there was a vast ocean just behind the hospital.

As I passed through the garden, I heard Annie's desperate cries: "Please, Capo, you can't cut off the power! Mrs.Sterling's room needs to be kept sterile, and if the machines stop working, her wounds could get infected!"

"Get lost! Everyone's doing just fine with the power cut-off, so why would she be any different?!" Samuel kicked Annie aside and then issued orders to his subordinates. "I've put up with you long enough, Annie. Drag her away to the basement and break her legs!"

He then continued, "Bring Louise to the cemetery. I want her to kneel before Daeleen's grave and pray for her."

With that, Samuel picked up my eyeballs and got into his car to leave for the cemetery.

Annie broke down and started sobbing uncontrollably. Samuel's subordinates were hesitant, but none dared to disobey the Capo's orders.

The subordinates searched the entire building, but they never managed to find me. When they arrived at my room, they were greeted with an open door as well as bloodstains scattered across the floor.

I walked toward the sea, and I slowly walked into the frigid waters step by step.

As the waves reached my thighs, I received a call from Samuel. "What the hell are you doing, Louise? I'm telling you to get to Daeleen's grave immediately! If you waste any more of my time, I'll kill your entire family!"

My body temperature slowly seeped away through the seawater, numbing my pain. "Samuel, do you really think that you can hurt my family?"

"Watch your tone, Louise. I am a Capo of the Sterling family! The mafia's dignity is not something you can challenge, even if you're my wife!" Samuel shouted.

The seawater had now reached my neck. In front of me was nothing but darkness, but I still walked forward step by step with confidence. I will no longer give Samuel another chance to hurt me.

Right before the seawater was about to swallow me completely, I spoke up to the irritated Samuel once more. "Samuel, I won't let you hurt me ever again. Even if the Sterling family's Capo dei Capi were here, he would have to kiss my fingers.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Louise Toledo."