She clung tightly to his waist, crying her heart out.

Samuel stood straight by the bed, looking down at her.

He prized Chloe's arms from around him, sat down, and comforted her. "I will stand up for you. But first, calm down and rest well. The doctor said the blindness isn't permanent. Do you understand? You'll get better."

"But I can't see anything now. I'm so scared. Sam, don't leave me, don't abandon me."

He was already resigned to a ...