When Job turned gentle, those deep, fathomless eyes of his could drown a person whole.

I almost said yes.

Then a knock came at the door, followed by Russ's voice.

"Karen, are you still up?"

I ignored the way Job's face darkened instantly and hurried over to open the door.

"I'm up. What's wrong?"

Russ stood there with his lashes lowered, fingers clutching the hem of his shirt, looking deeply unsettled. "Karen, I... ever since I lost my sight, I've developed anxiety. I'm a little scared. I can't sleep."

How could anyone in this world be so pitiful?

My heart ached beyond words. I took Russ's hand and murmured softly, "Don't be scared. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, then I'll come back."

I guided him toward his room, but Job lost it. He stepped between us, blocking our path.

"Karen, you can't go sleep in another man's room. I'm your husband!"

Russ said nothing. His eyes just turned red. And with that, the scales in my heart tipped completely in his favor.

I pulled him behind me and glared at Job. "Job, can you show a little decency? Can't you see Russ isn't well? Would it kill you to give him this?"

The noise of our argument must have been loud enough to wake Kay. She appeared in the doorway clutching a stuffed rabbit, looking flustered as she stared at Job.

"Job, I just had the most terrible nightmare. I'm having trouble breathing. Could you stay with me? Just for a little while."

Job fell silent again.

Ever since Kay had moved in, he'd spent nearly every night keeping her company.

After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Kay, we're not kids anymore. It's not appropriate for me to stay with you. If you're scared, just leave the light on."

Kay's face went white. Tears pooled in her eyes in an instant, and she nodded obediently.

But I knew her. She was never that simple.

Sure enough, barely a minute after she went back inside, there was a loud crash.

Job kicked the door open and found Kay collapsed on the floor, limp and pale.

He didn't spare another thought for me or Russ. He scooped Kay into his arms and rushed to the hospital.

I couldn't be bothered to care. I took Russ back to his room.

Just as he'd said, his anxiety was truly severe. He kept jolting awake, and only after confirming I was still beside him could he settle back to sleep.

I stayed with Russ the entire night. Job stayed with Kay the entire night.