I felt cold.
"Special how?"
Lily paused.
"She said I had the same pretty pattern as you."
I couldn't breathe.
My daughter continued innocently.
"Mommy, she said maybe I could help you see better someday."
My hands began trembling.
"Lily, did Daddy know about that?"
"Of course."
My stomach dropped.
"He came to school afterward."
I closed my eyes.
Nigel.
My husband.
The surgeon who had restored my sight.
The boy whose careless cruelty had started everything.
He had been in contact with a researcher involved in the program that injured me.
And he'd never told me.
***
I called Nigel immediately.
He answered on the first ring.
"Sarah?"
"Do you know Dr. Margaret Ellis?"
Silence.
Then:
"Where did you hear that name?"
My heart sank.
"Lily."
Nigel took a sharp breath.
"Sarah, listen to me."
"No. You listen. A doctor connected to Project Lumen examined our daughter at school. She told Lily her eyes were special. And Lily says you knew."
