Blind to My Heart

My name is Nora Quinn. I have been married to Jesse Franco for three years. To everyone else, he's a successful man. But only I know he suffers from prosopagnosia — face blindness. The first time I noticed something was wrong was just outside the pantry stall at his office. That day, I left work early, planning to pick him up from the company. As I neared the pantry, I heard strange sounds coming from inside the stall. I held my breath and quietly crept closer. Through the crack in the cubicle door, I saw Jesse Franco holding a young woman, kissing her. I recognized her—she was the new intern in his department. My heart sank instantly. I pushed the door open and rushed in, demanding to know what he was doing. Jesse saw me and frantically pulled the intern away. He dropped to his knees, grabbed my hand, his eyes full of innocence. "Nora, I'm sorry — I mistook her for you." "I thought she was you, truly, please believe me." I looked into his sincere eyes, my heart a whirlwind of emotions. His face blindness had been medically diagnosed. I sighed and, in the end, chose to trust him. But I never imagined this was only the start of a nightmare. Before long, I noticed his strange behavior again. That day, I returned from a business trip without telling him beforehand. I opened the door— the bedroom door was ajar, and laughter between a man and a woman drifted out. I trembled as I pushed the door open. What I saw hit me like a lightning strike. Jesse Franco and his female assistant lay tangled and disheveled on the bed. I was trembling with anger, unable to utter a single word. Jesse Franco saw me and panicked once again. He hurriedly got off the bed and knelt before me once more. "Nora, I didn't mean to do it." "I mistook someone again; she was wearing clothes just like the ones you wore last time." "I thought it was you coming back. Can you forgive me this once?" I watched as he repeatedly used his face blindness as an excuse, my disappointment growing deeper. But I still clung to a faint hope. Maybe I could find a way to make him remember me. Since then, I've been trying all kinds of methods. Every day, I wear the same style and color of clothes. I want him to recognize me by my clothes. But the results haven't been promising. He still sometimes calls out my name to someone else. Then, I came up with another idea. Every morning before I leave, I draw a small heart on my face. The red heart is very noticeable. I thought this way, he'd always be able to recognize me. But reality hit me hard again. That weekend, I had arranged to take a walk in the park with Jesse Franco. I got there early and sat on a bench, waiting for him. From afar, I saw him heading toward the park lawn. I thought he had seen me and was about to get up, but then I saw him walk over to a girl. That girl was very beautiful. Jesse Franco wrapped his arms around her, and they tumbled onto the grass. My heart sank completely. The heart mark on my face was still clearly visible. How could he mistake someone else again? I rushed over and shoved Jesse Franco aside. He saw me, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. Then, the familiar look of guilt settled in again. "Nora, I'm sorry, I..." "You mistook her for me again, didn't you?" I cut him off, my voice heavy with fatigue and disappointment. Jesse nodded, still wanting to say something more. But I didn't want to hear it anymore. I turned and walked away, tears streaming down my face. I really don't know how much longer this kind of life can go on. I even started to question whether his prosopagnosia is real. But every time I catch his "sincere" gaze, I falter again. Maybe... I'm just imagining things. He was just gravely ill. I told myself this quietly. But that unease took root in my heart and slowly began to grow, like a seed. I knew I couldn't keep fooling myself like this. I had to uncover the truth.