My Blind Husband

Yolanda’s voice dripped with flirtation in the delicate cocoon of her ear. “Damien, you mentioned you’d come over once Cherise drifts into slumber. When might that be?”

“I’m a bit weary. When do you think Cherise will doze off?”

“Why not utilize the sleeping pills you’ve prepared? Didn’t you prepare them?”

Cherise offered no reply.

She simply listened, her silence a canvas for Yolanda’s monologue, punctuated by soft utterances of “Mm,” “Ah,” “Okay.”

“Excellent. Let’s convene at our usual haunt tomorrow!”

Confronted with Yolanda’s buoyant tone, Cherise sighed inwardly, rubbing her temples. “Ms. Weiss.”

Finally, Yolanda exclaimed through the line, “You are…”

“I am Cherise.”

With the phone nestled in her palm, Cherise sighed again, her brow furrowing.

While she didn’t consider her initial “hello” particularly loud, it wasn’t muted.

If her voice reached Yolanda’s ears, why did Yolanda persist in this charade?

never fathomed her softened tone, which could mirror Damien’s

which is evident in her calculated words.

behind her carefully chosen words

a deep breath, Cherise offered a faint smile. “Ms. Weiss, I presumed your late call was in pursuit of an accord

spouse, I, too, wish

your deliberate choice of words only muddies

concur that my husband maintains a distance

this declaration, her tone turned icy. “It’s late, Ms. Weiss. Rest well. Perhaps in your dreams,

Yolanda’s retort, Cherise terminated the call.

sow discord between her and Damien with such

No way!

“Finished?”

outside, exuding the scent of tobacco and the chill of the night

checks flushed crimson. “You… you

“Mhmm.”

smile, Damien entered the car, closing the door. His imposing frame once again enveloped Cherise. “My dear little fool, you’ve grown, defending the honor

him. “I’ve told you I’m

eyes, you’ll always be my dear, my