Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO COULD NO LONGER SEE HIS ENEMIES
Arthur had built his empire through fear.
He knew that.
He had never pretended otherwise.
He had controlled shipping routes.
Negotiated with dangerous men.
And made decisions that ruined lives.
But losing his sight had changed something.
He could no longer read expressions.
Couldn't watch people hesitate.
Couldn't see fear in their eyes.
For months, he'd believed that made him weak.
Now he understood something worse.
He had surrounded himself with people who obeyed him because they feared him.
Not because they respected him.
And fear made loyalty fragile.
Norah sat across from him one evening.
“Can I ask you something?”
Arthur nodded.
“Why do you keep the curtains closed?”
He was silent.
Then said, “Because I hate remembering what I lost.”
Norah looked toward the windows.
“Your sight?”
“Yes.”
She considered that.
“Arthur, the world didn't disappear because you can't see it.”
His jaw tightened.
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
He looked away.
Norah continued.
“You still hear music.”
“Yes.”
“Still taste coffee.”
“Unfortunately.”
She smiled.
“Still know when Vincent is lying.”
Arthur laughed softly.
“Usually.”
She leaned forward.
“You're still here.”
His expression changed.
May you like
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then whispered, “Sometimes I forget that.”
