I looked toward the window.
Outside, people walked across the hospital courtyard.
A little boy was holding his father's hand.
A woman pushed a stroller.
Ordinary lives were continuing while mine felt as though it had been broken open.
Nigel spoke again.
"Mara, I love you."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I believe you do."
Hope flickered across his face.
Then I continued.
"But you took away my chance to decide whether I could love you knowing the truth."
He lowered his head.
"I know."
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Then he said something I hadn't expected.
**"I didn't try to stop your surgery because I wanted you to remain blind. I was afraid that when you finally saw me, you'd remember the boy who hurt you and never be able to see the man I've tried to become."**
I stared at him.
"You should have trusted me with that choice."
