Jade married Sylas Sterling when he was at his darkest hour—blind, broken, and alone. For years, she was his eyes, his light, and his silent guardian. But the moment Sylas regained his vision, the first thing he did was cast her into the shadows. A cold divorce decree was his "thank you." When Jade discovered she was carrying his child, she reached out one last time. Terrified and kidnapped, she begged for his help over the phone. But Sylas was too busy comforting another woman. "Jade, enough with the acting," he sneered, his voice dripping with impatience. "If you can make a phone call, you aren't in danger. Apologize for this stunt, or don't ever show your face to me again." She chose the latter. That night, Jade vanished from the face of the earth. Years later. A mysterious, sophisticated woman returns to the city with a new face and a cold heart. She avoids him at every turn, yet fate—or perhaps a lingering curse—keeps pulling them together. The man who once loathed her presence is now obsessed, cornering her in every shadow. "Who are you?" he demands, haunted by a ghost he can't name. Finally, trapped in a cold, dark basement that mirrored his former prison, Sylas’s composure breaks. His ragged breath brushes against her ear, his voice trembling with agonizing desperation: "Does it take me going blind again for you to finally admit who you are?" Jade looks him dead in the eye, a chilling smile playing on her lips. "If that’s what you want, Sir… I can make it happen."

Chapter 1The condoms in the drawer. Bring them here.The man stood by the bed, "looking" at her. His deep, resonant voice was as frigid as the night wind howling outside the window.Jade Hayes jolted awake, meeting his dark, unfathomable gaze."What's... wrong with you?" she asked hesitantly.They had been married for almost three years, and Sylas Sterling had never laid a finger on her.Now, they were only a month away from their agreed-upon divorce.Why was he suddenly...Before she could move, he found the drawer himself, yanked it open, and took one out.His sharp features were taut with tension. He turned his head toward the bed, and even though he was blind, his commanding presence was intimidating.Sylas had never imagined in his life that he would marry a fraud!When a car crash left him blind three years ago, the Hayes family was facing bankruptcy. They begged the Sterlings to honor a verbal marriage arrangement made by their elders.He despised arranged marriages and could easily have paid them off, but Martha Hayes had shown up at his door, gravely ill. Ultimately, Sylas chose loyalty and agreed to the wedding.And what was the result?He had just learned that her brother frequently rented out the entirety of The Grand Plaza in the neighboring city, spending money like water.Was that what a bankruptcy crisis looked like?Sylas had also investigated two stalled projects. The culprits were the Hayes family, who siphoned funds without delivering, dragging the Sterling family's reputation through the mud.Sylas abhorred corruption more than anything; in fact, he had lost his eyesight in an accident while personally investigating a fraud case.And her?She had colluded with her family, using his blindness and their past favors to turn him into a personal ATM.How many people would dare to play him for a fool like this?The fury he had been suppressing all night could no longer be contained. He desperately needed an outlet.He "looked" over coldly. "Take them off. What are you waiting for?"Jade wasn't sure what was happening.She had hoped for three years—had she finally waited long enough for a sliver of his affection?She stared greedily as he unbuttoned his shirt, one button at a time.His hands were elegant, with defined knuckles and veins that shifted with his movements, exuding an indescribable allure.He pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and lean, powerful muscles came into view, a sight that would make anyone flush with heat.Yet, there were no kisses, and he barely seemed willing to touch her.Jade felt as though he wasn't there to make love, but to execute a punishment. His entire being radiated a profound, oppressive aura."Sylas..." Jade pushed back instinctively. "For the sake of my genuine feelings for you, could you be gentle?"His gaze darkened as if he had just heard a joke, looking down at her."Stop pretending."The sharp indifference and his casual, callous disgust struck Jade, leaving her stunned.It hurt everywhere. A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her.How could she ever delude herself into thinking Sylas had feelings for her?She had long heard that he carried a secret, profound love for someone else in his heart. That was probably why he hadn't touched her in three years.So what had gotten into him tonight?"Sylas..." Jade couldn't help but speak up.The man cut her off with a slow, icy tone. "What, you're not willing?""Or do you think you haven't been paid enough?"Jade was completely lost.A second later, Sylas reached over the headboard, pulled something from his briefcase, and tossed it onto her."Is this enough?"Jade froze again, a lump forming in her throat.It was his wallet.What did he mean? Did he think she had married him for money?Anyone else could think that of her, but after three years of her devotion and medical care, didn't he know better?Yes, originally the Hayes family wanted her cousin to marry him, but when her cousin disappeared, Jade stepped in.Everyone said she was a gold digger for agreeing to marry a disabled man.In reality, her grandmother had cried and begged her to take the arrangement.The Sterlings had also sought her out personally, hoping she could cure Sylas. In return, they had provided recommendation letters from top global experts and heavily funded her research projects.Didn't he know all of this?Well, she didn't have to marry him just to treat his condition. It was her own selfishness; she had liked him for so many years...Rip! The sound of the foil packet tearing.Jade frowned. "Sylas..."She wanted to urge him to show some restraint.Vigorous activity could cause excessive blood flow around his eyes and disrupt his nerve endings, making it impossible for her to do his massage and acupuncture tomorrow.He was supposed to regain his sight this month. The treatment regimen couldn't be interrupted now.Seeing that he completely ignored her, Jade panicked and tried to roll away to escape him.But Sylas suddenly pinned her back down, his hands grasping her waist.Suddenly, both of them froze.Jade sucked in a breath and held it, trying to hide her thick waistline, staring at him nervously.She was five foot five and weighed a hundred and sixty-five pounds. She didn't want him to know she was heavy!Sylas had lost control for a moment, gripping her curves."You gained weight?" The man's lips parted as he asked abruptly.Before the marriage, no one knew there was a Jade in the Hayes family. He hadn't known or seen her, but his assistant, Zane York, had investigated her basic background.Although he had never touched another woman, the measurements in her file certainly didn't match a waist this thick.Jade's heart leaped into her throat, and she babbled incoherently."You're holding... my thigh!"She almost bit her tongue as soon as the words left her mouth. A bizarre silence filled the air.Sylas scoffed internally. Over the past three years, he could sense she was different from the investigation report, especially...The file claimed she had a messy private life, but it seemed she was truly... untouched.Her habitual lying, however, matched the report perfectly!Why didn't she just claim she was all boobs?He wasn't obsessed with skinny women; the extra curves actually felt quite nice. His Adam's apple bobbed.He ended up taking her again.Sylas was finally interrupted by the vibration of his phone.His face was buried in the crook of Jade's neck, searing hot. His voice was still husky with lingering desire."Hand me my earpiece."After going blind, he operated his phone almost entirely through a wireless earpiece.The tingling in Jade's fingertips hadn't faded. She opened her eyes to see the man's face inches away, flushed with satisfaction. She awkwardly averted her gaze.She vaguely remembered his earpiece flying off in the chaos of their passion.She nudged him slightly, finally slipping out from underneath him to grab the earpiece. She caught a glimpse of the caller ID.Jocelyn.His adopted sister.Jade picked up the device. "Let me put it on you."The man remained silent, but he turned his head to let her do it.Jade had taken care of him for a long time, but she had never put his earpiece in for him. He disliked physical closeness with her, and she wasn't sure what possessed her to offer.Fortunately, Jade's fingers were nimble and soft. She pinched his earlobe with one hand and gently braced his jaw with the other, sliding it into place.No one ever touched Sylas's face. His brow furrowed when her hand brushed against his skin.But the skin on her hands was so delicate that he didn't feel any revulsion.Because of this, Sylas felt an inexplicable wave of irritation. He hated feeling out of control."Get out," he ordered in a low voice. "Sleep in the guest room."Jade hadn't even put her clothes back on. She stared at him in disbelief.His face had regained its usual icy composure. The passion was completely gone, replaced entirely by cold rationality.Was he regretting his impulsive actions? Could he not bear to be in the same room with her for another second?But..."Will you be okay by yourself?" He was blind, which was why she slept in the same room—to help him during the night.Sylas's patience seemed to have run out. "I'm blind, not crippled.""Get out. Someone will clean up," he added.It was as if he couldn't stand her presence for a moment longer.Jade clenched her fists, refusing to argue. "Fine."Swallowing the bitter ache in her chest, she quickly slipped into her clothes, grabbed her torn lingerie, and walked out without a word.The bedroom fell into absolute silence.Sylas let out a heavy breath and tapped his earpiece to answer the call.His voice was noticeably softer. "Hello?"Then his brow creased. "When?... Alright."Disconnecting the call, Sylas stood up. He knew his room and The Estate like the back of his hand. He walked slowly to the dressing room and changed his clothes.He then called his assistant, Zane York. "Come upstairs. Clean the room."To better assist Sylas, Zane had a room at The Estate and was always on standby.Moments later, Zane arrived at the door, knocked, and let himself in.Taking one look inside, Zane froze. His eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively started to back out.But seeing Mr. Sterling standing there fully dressed proved he was in the right room. Zane lowered his gaze and stepped inside.Sylas had opened a window, but the air still lingered with Jade's distinct, fresh scent.He pinched the bridge of his nose and said grimly, "Strip the bed. Purify the air completely."Zane was confused but obediently got to work.Then he noticed a few spots of blood on the sheets, and his heart skipped a beat."Mr. Sterling, are you hurt?"Hearing this, Sylas's expression shifted slightly. He remembered Jade crying out in pain twice.He hadn't been very gentle, assuming she had already been intimate with her ex-boyfriend.Driven by his volatile emotions and undeniable desire, he had lost control of his strength.After a long pause, Sylas gave an evasive reply. "Understood."Zane was baffled. Huh?He slowly put two and two together and kept his mouth shut, focusing on his task."Clean this up quickly," Sylas ordered in a low voice before turning and leaving the bedroom.The guest room was right next door.Jade had changed and taken a quick shower. Exhausted and aching, she just wanted to collapse into bed and sleep.Then came a knock at the door."Who is it?"As soon as she asked, she realized she had always slept in the master bedroom. Only Sylas knew she was in here tonight.She opened the door, and sure enough, he was standing there."Wh—" Jade started to ask, but her gaze drifted past him to the person coming up the stairs.Jocelyn came up pouting, as if she had been holding back tears the whole way. The moment she saw Sylas, she threw herself into his arms."Sylas! Oh... you're finally home!"Sylas was blind. One second he heard Jocelyn's voice, and the next, she had collided with him. He stumbled back toward the door to catch his balance."You're too old to be this reckless," the man scolded softly, though his tone was entirely tender.Jocelyn didn't care. She clung to his arm affectionately. "You have no idea how much I missed you! Since you were gone, it felt awkward to come over..."As she spoke, Jocelyn acted as if she had just noticed Jade. She shyly wiped her tears. "Oh, you're here too, Jade."Jade offered a polite smile.She was Mrs. Sterling. Was it really surprising that she was here? It would be weird if she wasn't.Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. Sylas spoiled his adopted sister rotten, and Jade didn't want to provoke his anger.Instead, she listened to Jocelyn ramble. "I just found out I'm pregnant. I felt so suffocated at my husband's place, so I wanted to come back and stay for a few days..."Jade couldn't hear the rest of what she said.Her eyes locked onto the hand Jocelyn was using to hold Sylas's arm, staring at the ring on her finger.Jade froze instantly, her pupils dilating in utter disbelief...Were they wearing matching rings?A couple of weeks ago, Jade had accidentally seen the ring he kept hidden in his safe.The Sterling family business was Sterling Global. These rings were designed with a sun and a moon motif. There was no mistaking it.Chapter 2The condoms in the drawer. Bring them here.The man stood by the bed, "looking" at her. His deep, resonant voice was as frigid as the night wind howling outside the window.Jade Hayes jolted awake, meeting his dark, unfathomable gaze."What's... wrong with you?" she asked hesitantly.They had been married for almost three years, and Sylas Sterling had never laid a finger on her.Now, they were only a month away from their agreed-upon divorce.Why was he suddenly...Before she could move, he found the drawer himself, yanked it open, and took one out.His sharp features were taut with tension. He turned his head toward the bed, and even though he was blind, his commanding presence was intimidating.Sylas had never imagined in his life that he would marry a fraud!When a car crash left him blind three years ago, the Hayes family was facing bankruptcy. They begged the Sterlings to honor a verbal marriage arrangement made by their elders.He despised arranged marriages and could easily have paid them off, but Martha Hayes had shown up at his door, gravely ill. Ultimately, Sylas chose loyalty and agreed to the wedding.And what was the result?He had just learned that her brother frequently rented out the entirety of The Grand Plaza in the neighboring city, spending money like water.Was that what a bankruptcy crisis looked like?Sylas had also investigated two stalled projects. The culprits were the Hayes family, who siphoned funds without delivering, dragging the Sterling family's reputation through the mud.Sylas abhorred corruption more than anything; in fact, he had lost his eyesight in an accident while personally investigating a fraud case.And her?She had colluded with her family, using his blindness and their past favors to turn him into a personal ATM.How many people would dare to play him for a fool like this?The fury he had been suppressing all night could no longer be contained. He desperately needed an outlet.He "looked" over coldly. "Take them off. What are you waiting for?"Jade wasn't sure what was happening.She had hoped for three years—had she finally waited long enough for a sliver of his affection?She stared greedily as he unbuttoned his shirt, one button at a time.His hands were elegant, with defined knuckles and veins that shifted with his movements, exuding an indescribable allure.He pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and lean, powerful muscles came into view, a sight that would make anyone flush with heat.Yet, there were no kisses, and he barely seemed willing to touch her.Jade felt as though he wasn't there to make love, but to execute a punishment. His entire being radiated a profound, oppressive aura."Sylas..." Jade pushed back instinctively. "For the sake of my genuine feelings for you, could you be gentle?"His gaze darkened as if he had just heard a joke, looking down at her."Stop pretending."The sharp indifference and his casual, callous disgust struck Jade, leaving her stunned.It hurt everywhere. A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her.How could she ever delude herself into thinking Sylas had feelings for her?She had long heard that he carried a secret, profound love for someone else in his heart. That was probably why he hadn't touched her in three years.So what had gotten into him tonight?"Sylas..." Jade couldn't help but speak up.The man cut her off with a slow, icy tone. "What, you're not willing?""Or do you think you haven't been paid enough?"Jade was completely lost.A second later, Sylas reached over the headboard, pulled something from his briefcase, and tossed it onto her."Is this enough?"Jade froze again, a lump forming in her throat.It was his wallet.What did he mean? Did he think she had married him for money?Anyone else could think that of her, but after three years of her devotion and medical care, didn't he know better?Yes, originally the Hayes family wanted her cousin to marry him, but when her cousin disappeared, Jade stepped in.Everyone said she was a gold digger for agreeing to marry a disabled man.In reality, her grandmother had cried and begged her to take the arrangement.The Sterlings had also sought her out personally, hoping she could cure Sylas. In return, they had provided recommendation letters from top global experts and heavily funded her research projects.Didn't he know all of this?Well, she didn't have to marry him just to treat his condition. It was her own selfishness; she had liked him for so many years...Rip! The sound of the foil packet tearing.Jade frowned. "Sylas..."She wanted to urge him to show some restraint.Vigorous activity could cause excessive blood flow around his eyes and disrupt his nerve endings, making it impossible for her to do his massage and acupuncture tomorrow.He was supposed to regain his sight this month. The treatment regimen couldn't be interrupted now.Seeing that he completely ignored her, Jade panicked and tried to roll away to escape him.But Sylas suddenly pinned her back down, his hands grasping her waist.Suddenly, both of them froze.Jade sucked in a breath and held it, trying to hide her thick waistline, staring at him nervously.She was five foot five and weighed a hundred and sixty-five pounds. She didn't want him to know she was heavy!Sylas had lost control for a moment, gripping her curves."You gained weight?" The man's lips parted as he asked abruptly.Before the marriage, no one knew there was a Jade in the Hayes family. He hadn't known or seen her, but his assistant, Zane York, had investigated her basic background.Although he had never touched another woman, the measurements in her file certainly didn't match a waist this thick.Jade's heart leaped into her throat, and she babbled incoherently."You're holding... my thigh!"She almost bit her tongue as soon as the words left her mouth. A bizarre silence filled the air.Sylas scoffed internally. Over the past three years, he could sense she was different from the investigation report, especially...The file claimed she had a messy private life, but it seemed she was truly... untouched.Her habitual lying, however, matched the report perfectly!Why didn't she just claim she was all boobs?He wasn't obsessed with skinny women; the extra curves actually felt quite nice. His Adam's apple bobbed.He ended up taking her again.Sylas was finally interrupted by the vibration of his phone.His face was buried in the crook of Jade's neck, searing hot. His voice was still husky with lingering desire."Hand me my earpiece."After going blind, he operated his phone almost entirely through a wireless earpiece.The tingling in Jade's fingertips hadn't faded. She opened her eyes to see the man's face inches away, flushed with satisfaction. She awkwardly averted her gaze.She vaguely remembered his earpiece flying off in the chaos of their passion.She nudged him slightly, finally slipping out from underneath him to grab the earpiece. She caught a glimpse of the caller ID.Jocelyn.His adopted sister.Jade picked up the device. "Let me put it on you."The man remained silent, but he turned his head to let her do it.Jade had taken care of him for a long time, but she had never put his earpiece in for him. He disliked physical closeness with her, and she wasn't sure what possessed her to offer.Fortunately, Jade's fingers were nimble and soft. She pinched his earlobe with one hand and gently braced his jaw with the other, sliding it into place.No one ever touched Sylas's face. His brow furrowed when her hand brushed against his skin.But the skin on her hands was so delicate that he didn't feel any revulsion.Because of this, Sylas felt an inexplicable wave of irritation. He hated feeling out of control."Get out," he ordered in a low voice. "Sleep in the guest room."Jade hadn't even put her clothes back on. She stared at him in disbelief.His face had regained its usual icy composure. The passion was completely gone, replaced entirely by cold rationality.Was he regretting his impulsive actions? Could he not bear to be in the same room with her for another second?But..."Will you be okay by yourself?" He was blind, which was why she slept in the same room—to help him during the night.Sylas's patience seemed to have run out. "I'm blind, not crippled.""Get out. Someone will clean up," he added.It was as if he couldn't stand her presence for a moment longer.Jade clenched her fists, refusing to argue. "Fine."Swallowing the bitter ache in her chest, she quickly slipped into her clothes, grabbed her torn lingerie, and walked out without a word.The bedroom fell into absolute silence.Sylas let out a heavy breath and tapped his earpiece to answer the call.His voice was noticeably softer. "Hello?"Then his brow creased. "When?... Alright."Disconnecting the call, Sylas stood up. He knew his room and The Estate like the back of his hand. He walked slowly to the dressing room and changed his clothes.He then called his assistant, Zane York. "Come upstairs. Clean the room."To better assist Sylas, Zane had a room at The Estate and was always on standby.Moments later, Zane arrived at the door, knocked, and let himself in.Taking one look inside, Zane froze. His eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively started to back out.But seeing Mr. Sterling standing there fully dressed proved he was in the right room. Zane lowered his gaze and stepped inside.Sylas had opened a window, but the air still lingered with Jade's distinct, fresh scent.He pinched the bridge of his nose and said grimly, "Strip the bed. Purify the air completely."Zane was confused but obediently got to work.Then he noticed a few spots of blood on the sheets, and his heart skipped a beat."Mr. Sterling, are you hurt?"Hearing this, Sylas's expression shifted slightly. He remembered Jade crying out in pain twice.He hadn't been very gentle, assuming she had already been intimate with her ex-boyfriend.Driven by his volatile emotions and undeniable desire, he had lost control of his strength.After a long pause, Sylas gave an evasive reply. "Understood."Zane was baffled. Huh?He slowly put two and two together and kept his mouth shut, focusing on his task."Clean this up quickly," Sylas ordered in a low voice before turning and leaving the bedroom.The guest room was right next door.Jade had changed and taken a quick shower. Exhausted and aching, she just wanted to collapse into bed and sleep.Then came a knock at the door."Who is it?"As soon as she asked, she realized she had always slept in the master bedroom. Only Sylas knew she was in here tonight.She opened the door, and sure enough, he was standing there."Wh—" Jade started to ask, but her gaze drifted past him to the person coming up the stairs.Jocelyn came up pouting, as if she had been holding back tears the whole way. The moment she saw Sylas, she threw herself into his arms."Sylas! Oh... you're finally home!"Sylas was blind. One second he heard Jocelyn's voice, and the next, she had collided with him. He stumbled back toward the door to catch his balance."You're too old to be this reckless," the man scolded softly, though his tone was entirely tender.Jocelyn didn't care. She clung to his arm affectionately. "You have no idea how much I missed you! Since you were gone, it felt awkward to come over..."As she spoke, Jocelyn acted as if she had just noticed Jade. She shyly wiped her tears. "Oh, you're here too, Jade."Jade offered a polite smile.She was Mrs. Sterling. Was it really surprising that she was here? It would be weird if she wasn't.Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. Sylas spoiled his adopted sister rotten, and Jade didn't want to provoke his anger.Instead, she listened to Jocelyn ramble. "I just found out I'm pregnant. I felt so suffocated at my husband's place, so I wanted to come back and stay for a few days..."Jade couldn't hear the rest of what she said.Her eyes locked onto the hand Jocelyn was using to hold Sylas's arm, staring at the ring on her finger.Jade froze instantly, her pupils dilating in utter disbelief...Were they wearing matching rings?A couple of weeks ago, Jade had accidentally seen the ring he kept hidden in his safe.The Sterling family business was Sterling Global. These rings were designed with a sun and a moon motif. There was no mistaking it.Chapter 3The condoms in the drawer. Bring them here.The man stood by the bed, "looking" at her. His deep, resonant voice was as frigid as the night wind howling outside the window.Jade Hayes jolted awake, meeting his dark, unfathomable gaze."What's... wrong with you?" she asked hesitantly.They had been married for almost three years, and Sylas Sterling had never laid a finger on her.Now, they were only a month away from their agreed-upon divorce.Why was he suddenly...Before she could move, he found the drawer himself, yanked it open, and took one out.His sharp features were taut with tension. He turned his head toward the bed, and even though he was blind, his commanding presence was intimidating.Sylas had never imagined in his life that he would marry a fraud!When a car crash left him blind three years ago, the Hayes family was facing bankruptcy. They begged the Sterlings to honor a verbal marriage arrangement made by their elders.He despised arranged marriages and could easily have paid them off, but Martha Hayes had shown up at his door, gravely ill. Ultimately, Sylas chose loyalty and agreed to the wedding.And what was the result?He had just learned that her brother frequently rented out the entirety of The Grand Plaza in the neighboring city, spending money like water.Was that what a bankruptcy crisis looked like?Sylas had also investigated two stalled projects. The culprits were the Hayes family, who siphoned funds without delivering, dragging the Sterling family's reputation through the mud.Sylas abhorred corruption more than anything; in fact, he had lost his eyesight in an accident while personally investigating a fraud case.And her?She had colluded with her family, using his blindness and their past favors to turn him into a personal ATM.How many people would dare to play him for a fool like this?The fury he had been suppressing all night could no longer be contained. He desperately needed an outlet.He "looked" over coldly. "Take them off. What are you waiting for?"Jade wasn't sure what was happening.She had hoped for three years—had she finally waited long enough for a sliver of his affection?She stared greedily as he unbuttoned his shirt, one button at a time.His hands were elegant, with defined knuckles and veins that shifted with his movements, exuding an indescribable allure.He pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and lean, powerful muscles came into view, a sight that would make anyone flush with heat.Yet, there were no kisses, and he barely seemed willing to touch her.Jade felt as though he wasn't there to make love, but to execute a punishment. His entire being radiated a profound, oppressive aura."Sylas..." Jade pushed back instinctively. "For the sake of my genuine feelings for you, could you be gentle?"His gaze darkened as if he had just heard a joke, looking down at her."Stop pretending."The sharp indifference and his casual, callous disgust struck Jade, leaving her stunned.It hurt everywhere. A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her.How could she ever delude herself into thinking Sylas had feelings for her?She had long heard that he carried a secret, profound love for someone else in his heart. That was probably why he hadn't touched her in three years.So what had gotten into him tonight?"Sylas..." Jade couldn't help but speak up.The man cut her off with a slow, icy tone. "What, you're not willing?""Or do you think you haven't been paid enough?"Jade was completely lost.A second later, Sylas reached over the headboard, pulled something from his briefcase, and tossed it onto her."Is this enough?"Jade froze again, a lump forming in her throat.It was his wallet.What did he mean? Did he think she had married him for money?Anyone else could think that of her, but after three years of her devotion and medical care, didn't he know better?Yes, originally the Hayes family wanted her cousin to marry him, but when her cousin disappeared, Jade stepped in.Everyone said she was a gold digger for agreeing to marry a disabled man.In reality, her grandmother had cried and begged her to take the arrangement.The Sterlings had also sought her out personally, hoping she could cure Sylas. In return, they had provided recommendation letters from top global experts and heavily funded her research projects.Didn't he know all of this?Well, she didn't have to marry him just to treat his condition. It was her own selfishness; she had liked him for so many years...Rip! The sound of the foil packet tearing.Jade frowned. "Sylas..."She wanted to urge him to show some restraint.Vigorous activity could cause excessive blood flow around his eyes and disrupt his nerve endings, making it impossible for her to do his massage and acupuncture tomorrow.He was supposed to regain his sight this month. The treatment regimen couldn't be interrupted now.Seeing that he completely ignored her, Jade panicked and tried to roll away to escape him.But Sylas suddenly pinned her back down, his hands grasping her waist.Suddenly, both of them froze.Jade sucked in a breath and held it, trying to hide her thick waistline, staring at him nervously.She was five foot five and weighed a hundred and sixty-five pounds. She didn't want him to know she was heavy!Sylas had lost control for a moment, gripping her curves."You gained weight?" The man's lips parted as he asked abruptly.Before the marriage, no one knew there was a Jade in the Hayes family. He hadn't known or seen her, but his assistant, Zane York, had investigated her basic background.Although he had never touched another woman, the measurements in her file certainly didn't match a waist this thick.Jade's heart leaped into her throat, and she babbled incoherently."You're holding... my thigh!"She almost bit her tongue as soon as the words left her mouth. A bizarre silence filled the air.Sylas scoffed internally. Over the past three years, he could sense she was different from the investigation report, especially...The file claimed she had a messy private life, but it seemed she was truly... untouched.Her habitual lying, however, matched the report perfectly!Why didn't she just claim she was all boobs?He wasn't obsessed with skinny women; the extra curves actually felt quite nice. His Adam's apple bobbed.He ended up taking her again.Sylas was finally interrupted by the vibration of his phone.His face was buried in the crook of Jade's neck, searing hot. His voice was still husky with lingering desire."Hand me my earpiece."After going blind, he operated his phone almost entirely through a wireless earpiece.The tingling in Jade's fingertips hadn't faded. She opened her eyes to see the man's face inches away, flushed with satisfaction. She awkwardly averted her gaze.She vaguely remembered his earpiece flying off in the chaos of their passion.She nudged him slightly, finally slipping out from underneath him to grab the earpiece. She caught a glimpse of the caller ID.Jocelyn.His adopted sister.Jade picked up the device. "Let me put it on you."The man remained silent, but he turned his head to let her do it.Jade had taken care of him for a long time, but she had never put his earpiece in for him. He disliked physical closeness with her, and she wasn't sure what possessed her to offer.Fortunately, Jade's fingers were nimble and soft. She pinched his earlobe with one hand and gently braced his jaw with the other, sliding it into place.No one ever touched Sylas's face. His brow furrowed when her hand brushed against his skin.But the skin on her hands was so delicate that he didn't feel any revulsion.Because of this, Sylas felt an inexplicable wave of irritation. He hated feeling out of control."Get out," he ordered in a low voice. "Sleep in the guest room."Jade hadn't even put her clothes back on. She stared at him in disbelief.His face had regained its usual icy composure. The passion was completely gone, replaced entirely by cold rationality.Was he regretting his impulsive actions? Could he not bear to be in the same room with her for another second?But..."Will you be okay by yourself?" He was blind, which was why she slept in the same room—to help him during the night.Sylas's patience seemed to have run out. "I'm blind, not crippled.""Get out. Someone will clean up," he added.It was as if he couldn't stand her presence for a moment longer.Jade clenched her fists, refusing to argue. "Fine."Swallowing the bitter ache in her chest, she quickly slipped into her clothes, grabbed her torn lingerie, and walked out without a word.The bedroom fell into absolute silence.Sylas let out a heavy breath and tapped his earpiece to answer the call.His voice was noticeably softer. "Hello?"Then his brow creased. "When?... Alright."Disconnecting the call, Sylas stood up. He knew his room and The Estate like the back of his hand. He walked slowly to the dressing room and changed his clothes.He then called his assistant, Zane York. "Come upstairs. Clean the room."To better assist Sylas, Zane had a room at The Estate and was always on standby.Moments later, Zane arrived at the door, knocked, and let himself in.Taking one look inside, Zane froze. His eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively started to back out.But seeing Mr. Sterling standing there fully dressed proved he was in the right room. Zane lowered his gaze and stepped inside.Sylas had opened a window, but the air still lingered with Jade's distinct, fresh scent.He pinched the bridge of his nose and said grimly, "Strip the bed. Purify the air completely."Zane was confused but obediently got to work.Then he noticed a few spots of blood on the sheets, and his heart skipped a beat."Mr. Sterling, are you hurt?"Hearing this, Sylas's expression shifted slightly. He remembered Jade crying out in pain twice.He hadn't been very gentle, assuming she had already been intimate with her ex-boyfriend.Driven by his volatile emotions and undeniable desire, he had lost control of his strength.After a long pause, Sylas gave an evasive reply. "Understood."Zane was baffled. Huh?He slowly put two and two together and kept his mouth shut, focusing on his task."Clean this up quickly," Sylas ordered in a low voice before turning and leaving the bedroom.The guest room was right next door.Jade had changed and taken a quick shower. Exhausted and aching, she just wanted to collapse into bed and sleep.Then came a knock at the door."Who is it?"As soon as she asked, she realized she had always slept in the master bedroom. Only Sylas knew she was in here tonight.She opened the door, and sure enough, he was standing there."Wh—" Jade started to ask, but her gaze drifted past him to the person coming up the stairs.Jocelyn came up pouting, as if she had been holding back tears the whole way. The moment she saw Sylas, she threw herself into his arms."Sylas! Oh... you're finally home!"Sylas was blind. One second he heard Jocelyn's voice, and the next, she had collided with him. He stumbled back toward the door to catch his balance."You're too old to be this reckless," the man scolded softly, though his tone was entirely tender.Jocelyn didn't care. She clung to his arm affectionately. "You have no idea how much I missed you! Since you were gone, it felt awkward to come over..."As she spoke, Jocelyn acted as if she had just noticed Jade. She shyly wiped her tears. "Oh, you're here too, Jade."Jade offered a polite smile.She was Mrs. Sterling. Was it really surprising that she was here? It would be weird if she wasn't.Of course, she couldn't say that out loud. Sylas spoiled his adopted sister rotten, and Jade didn't want to provoke his anger.Instead, she listened to Jocelyn ramble. "I just found out I'm pregnant. I felt so suffocated at my husband's place, so I wanted to come back and stay for a few days..."Jade couldn't hear the rest of what she said.Her eyes locked onto the hand Jocelyn was using to hold Sylas's arm, staring at the ring on her finger.Jade froze instantly, her pupils dilating in utter disbelief...Were they wearing matching rings?A couple of weeks ago, Jade had accidentally seen the ring he kept hidden in his safe.The Sterling family business was Sterling Global. These rings were designed with a sun and a moon motif. There was no mistaking it.