Chapter 1

My arranged-marriage husband stayed by my side and took care of everything while I was temporarily blind.

He was proud, aloof, and thoroughly unapproachable.

Fortunately, his dog was much friendlier.

When I was upset, the dog licked my hand. When I couldn't sleep, a few licks around my ear would send me straight off.

Later, my sight returned. I didn't tell my husband.

I reached out to pet the dog—and watched my ice-cold husband shove it aside.

Then he dropped to his knees and licked my hand.

01

I woke after the car crash to complete darkness.

Voices crowded around me.

First, the doctor.

“Don't worry, Ms. Diêu. Your sight should gradually return within a month or two of the operation.”

Then my father and brother, both furious.

“I've looked into it. Someone caused that crash deliberately!”

“Duệ Thanh, this project threatens too many people's interests. I warned you, but you insisted on getting involved with that Thẩm fellow!”

Thẩm Nghiễn Bạch, who was a crybaby even on a good day, promptly burst into tears.

“I'm sorry... This is all my fault...”

My head buzzed as though ten thousand bees had gone to war inside it.

Apparently, losing your sight really did make everything sound louder.

Suddenly, I missed the silent husband I'd acquired through an arranged marriage.

“Where's Trì Kính?”

At the sound of his name, everyone fell quiet.

A calm, cool male voice answered beside me.

“I'm here.”

02

Once I was discharged, I went home to recover.

My mother-in-law came to visit.

“Trì Kính, Duệ Thanh hardly ever lets herself be vulnerable. Put work aside for now and take good care of your wife. Build some affection between you. Help her forget that manipulative junior of hers, that darling Thẩm boy...”

Trì Kính snorted.

“She's blind, not deaf.”

Silence followed, punctuated by the sounds of his mother administering a thoroughly physical reprimand.

Trì Kính grunted.

“Butler. Show our guest out!”

After my mother-in-law left, I dropped the act.

“Go and do whatever you need to do. I don't need looking after. I just want some peace and quiet.”

Trì Kính stopped pretending, too.

He picked up his car keys and left.

The door slammed. Outside it, the dog gave a forlorn whine.

“Nguyên Bảo!”

I called, but he wouldn't come.

Fair enough. Trì Kính and I had only been married a month, and work kept me so busy I could count my days at home on one hand. Why should his dog listen to me?

Just as I sighed in disappointment, something furry brushed my dangling fingertips.

Oh?

“Is that you, Nguyên Bảo?”

I felt around again.

Nguyên Bảo was a Springer Spaniel, with a curly fringe that looked remarkably like his owner's.

My heart melted.

Thinking no one else was around, I abandoned my usual cool reserve and cooed at him.

“Oh, who's a good boy? What a good little Nguyên Bảo!”

He answered with a soft, wheedling whine.

I held out my hand.

“Come here, sweetheart. Let Mommy pet you.”

Wait.

Something felt odd.

His head kept rubbing against my hand, as though someone were holding him and pushing him toward me.

I tried to get a better feel, but he darted away.

A little haughty, wasn't he?

Like owner, like dog.

03

I spent the day at home.

The butler helped me with meals, walks, and a few simple work matters.

When it was time for my evening shower, I asked him to leave me alone.

I fell almost as soon as I entered the bathroom.

Who knew something as simple as taking a shower could become so difficult when you couldn't see?

First I couldn't find the showerhead. Then I couldn't find the body wash.

I fumbled helplessly, water streaming over my head. The frustration nearly brought me to tears.

“The shower sponge... Where on earth is the shower sponge?”

A moment later, it was pressed into my palm.

I jumped.

“Who's there?”

Someone was in the bathroom?!

I reached out and touched a familiar tuft of curls.

I laughed until I shook. It had been so long since I'd felt this happy.

“Nguyên Bảo! You knew what I was looking for? And you brought it to me? How are you so clever?”

I excitedly rubbed his head.

“Good boy!”

He shyly dodged my hand.

Not wanting him soaked through, I coaxed him gently.

“Be good. Mommy will take you out when she's finished. Don't rush. I'll sing for you...”

I was a terrible singer. I'd never sung in front of anyone.

A dog wouldn't know the difference.

Tilting my face into the hot water, I sang about letting the rain fall so I wouldn't have to see the anguish on a man's face.

Crash.

Apparently, my singing was so captivating that Nguyên Bảo staggered into the washbasin.

He even coughed a few times.

Almost like a person choking.

04

After my shower, I called the butler.

“Please dry Nguyên Bảo off. He was in the bathroom the whole time. He must be wet.”

The butler took a moment to answer.

“... Yes. Of course, madam.”