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The moment I opened my eyes, his face lit up with pure joy.
He cared for me tirelessly day and night. His happiness was evident in every gesture.
Adam taught me how to eat, learn and survive.
I also learned from him that I was a clone.
One day, I pointed to the word “love” on a tablet and asked him what it meant.
For a moment, complicated emotion flickered across his face before tenderness smoothed his features.
He patted my head gently, “Love is when someone fills your thoughts. When you see them, your heart races… And you would do anything for people you love.”
My own heartbeat always echoed loudly in my ears as I looked at Adam.
If what he said was love, I must have fallen in love with him completely. I would do anything for him.
Thus, when Adam later asked for my eyes carefully in guilt, I didn’t hesitate.
“Nora,” he seemed to comfort himself, “With your eyes, we can save the world.”
“Don’t worry,” he reassured me, avoiding my gaze, “I’ll be your eyes.”
I gave my eyes to him, believing that my sacrifice would make him feel my love.
However, it was only my wishful thinking. And the cost of love was far greater than I knew.
I now knew that my very existence was just for Lily.
...
Adam’s voice was there when I woke up at home.
“Nora,” he said, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the hospital today?”
I stayed silent.
He sighed, “You know the truth about your eyes now, don’t you?”
“Lily’s eyes were injured,” he explained, “She needs a transplant urgently… and she’d rather go blind than accept eyes from someone else.”
I was Lily’s clone. Every part of me was of course identical to hers.
What was part of me was actually hers.
Warmth tracked down my cheeks. But did I even have the ability to cry?
“Nora!” Adam’s voice sharpened with alarm, “Why are your eyes bleeding?”
Ah, they were blood tears.
He wiped them for me and then stared at the crimson stain on his fingers.
“Stop crying,” he pleaded, “Please. I’m worried about you.”
“Adam, do you love me?” my voice was raw and thin.
“Of course I love you, Nora.” The answer came quickly, almost too easily, “Why else would I have married you?”
But I heard what they talked: he married me for guilt.
For days after, noticing my deep depression, Adam stayed close and took care of me.
Until the call came. Panic flooded his eyes.
In his distraction, he forgot his hand was still holding mine as he spun towards the door.
I was supported by him. As he left carelessly, I fell hard down the steep laboratory stairs. My knee cracked against the concrete.
He only realized it after hanging up, already halfway out the door.
“Lily’s surgery – It’s urgent!”
The door slammed shut behind him.
I curled into myself, sobs tearing from my throat in broken, gasping whimpers.
Adam was gone a very long time. He’d forgotten me.
When he finally returned, exhausted, he stayed by my side for days, quiet and watchful.
He didn’t mention Lily. Even when calls came, he silenced them.
Strangely, he started speaking about a trip. In the past, I’d always pleaded to travel, and he’d always been too busy with his research.
“Nora,” he said, taking my hand carefully, “Didn’t you want to see the world? Let’s go. Now.”
I agreed. It was the journey I’d dreamed of for so long.
We saw misty lakes and snow-capped northern mountains.
I described everything to Adam with desperate, excited chatter – the vastness of the landscapes and the beauty in every changing season.
“We’ll come back next spring.” My voice was full of hope.
Adam nodded, his hand tightening slightly around mine.
“Yes, Nora,” he promised, “Next spring.”
I felt warmed by happiness, and the pain seemed to get relieved.
But I didn’t notice the deep furrow in his brow and the profound sadness shadowing his eyes.
