Ethan's lips moved soundlessly. All color drained from his face.
A moment later, sight returned, but everything was hazy, like looking through fogged glass.
"Ethan? What's wrong?"

Vivian sensed the shift immediately, her eyes flickering. "Your eyes?"
Ethan looked down, a strange suspicion prickling. Why didn't he see genuine worry in Vivian's eyes?
Instead...
He saw calculation. Triumph.
Ethan shook his head sharply, forcing the thought down. Vivian loved him. He must be imagining things.
He stood, staring down the empty hallway, fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

A new kind of fury consumed him. It wasn't just about his eyes.
It was the searing jealousy of seeing me in another man's arms.
He'd never imagined I could have a connection to anyone else.
Especially not to a man like Alexander Sinclair.

"Ethan," Vivian murmured, hesitating. "Who was that man with Scarlett? You don't think she was... you know... behind your back..."
She trailed off, noticing Ethan's thunderous expression.
"Should we... go after her?"
Ethan swallowed the rising panic and frustration. He scoffed. "After her? Scarlett Rossi has chased mesince we were kids. She's throwing a tantrum. She'll be back. Where else would she go? You think Sinclair would keep some nobody orphan?"
Vivian lowered her head. "Mm," she agreed, her tone odd.
Ethan was consumed by the memory of my hate-filled eyes. They stood together, lost in their separate thoughts.
That evening, returning to the main house, they ran into old Mr. Rivers, back from a year-long trip.
"Who is this?"
He stared, shocked, then his aged eyes turned flinty as he saw their clasped hands. "Ethan Rivers! Have you lost your mind?!"
The anger was sudden, fierce. Ethan instinctively dropped Vivian's hand.
"Grandfather. You—"
Before he could finish, the old man cut him off. "Where is Scarlett? Gone a year, and you lose her?! Do you realize what happens without her? You—!"
He glanced at Vivian, stopping himself.
Ethan knew what he meant. He just smirked, reclaiming Vivian's hand. "Grandfather, it's okay. I don't just see Scarlett's colors anymore. I see Vivian's too."
Remembering what Vivian had told him, Ethan pressed on, hopeful. "Viv says Scarlett's... effect... is because of her blood. Maybe we can use Scarlett's blood to let me see other people too? Then my world wouldn't be limited to just—"
SMACK!
The sound of the slap echoed. Old Mr. Rivers trembled with rage. "You idiot! You colossal fool!"
"Grandfather?"
Ethan touched his stinging cheek, bewildered.
The old man looked at him with profound disappointment. "One year! One year gone, and you create this mess! Do you know who Scarlett Rossi is? Who do you think you are, treating her like a blood bank?!"
"What do you mean? Scarlett's an orphan the family took in. She has no one."
"Who told you that?" Mr. Rivers' sharp gaze landed on Vivian. "Miss. Please leave."
Vivian's face tightened. She shot a look at the silent Ethan, then left, resentment simmering.
When they were alone, Mr. Rivers revealed the truth.
"Scarlett is no orphan. She's the heir to the Rossi bloodline. Their blood counters the Rivers family curse. I saved her grandfather's life years ago. To repay that debt, Scarlett stayed with us. Grew up with you."
"As for Vivian... that girl is trouble. Can't you see she's manipulating you?"
Ethan paled. "So... that's why Vivian's colors were unstable."
He realized it then. Scarlett never said she was an orphan. He'd just assumed she had no one.
"Grandfather, I'll bring her back! I—"
His words died in his throat. His pupils clouded over. He reached out, swaying.
"Grandfather... I can't see! I can't see anything!"