Ethan Rivers had been colorblind since childhood, seeing the world only in shades of black and white.
And me, Scarlett Rossi, living under his family's roof? I was the only splash of color he could see.
Growing up, he'd always say to me, "Scarlett, you're the only color in my monochrome world. I'd guard that with my life."

But then, someone else entered Ethan's world, glowing with color just like me.
After that, I wasn't his exception anymore.
When the explosion ripped through the San Francisco warehouse, Ethan threw himself over that girl, shielding her with his body.
Me? I wasn't fast enough. My back was shredded into raw, ruined meat.
Waking up from surgery, the first thing I heard was Ethan's cold voice cutting through the haze.
"Twenty years of Scarlett's colors? I'm sick of the sight of them. With someone new lighting up my world, who has time for her?"

My barely open eyes snapped shut. My heart turned to ice in my chest.
Fine. If that's how he felt... it wasn't just the Rivers family my family owed a debt to. I'd fulfilled my father's promise.
If he didn't want to see me? Then let him drown in darkness forever!
...

The agony from the explosion was relentless. Even with the morphine drip, my back burned like hellfire.
I fluttered my eyes open, only to be greeted by those words.
"Twenty years of Scarlett's colors? I'm sick of the sight of them. With someone new lighting up my world, who the hell cares about her?"
Ethan finished speaking, placing a cool cloth on my forehead, but his tone was pure irritation.
"Since we were kids, Scarlett only ever wore red, yellow, purple... it was blinding. I couldn't understand why I couldn't see anyone else!"
His mother, Eleanor Rivers, chimed in, her voice dripping with mockery.
"Well, now you can, can't you? That little thing, Vivian. Too bad we don't know why she lights up for you. If we did, maybe we could cure your eyes for good."
My fingers curled into the sheets.
Vivian.
Ethan's second exception.
She'd appeared in his life six months ago. I still remembered the look on his face when he first saw her.
A mix of shock, wonder, and pure delight. Compared to the bored indifference he usually showed me?
That look was a knife straight to my heart.
Hearing Eleanor, Ethan's voice softened instantly.
"Yeah, Viv's... different. Thank God for her. Saved me from wasting my whole life trapped with Scarlett."
My throat felt like sandpaper.
Back when we were kids, he'd stand before me, smiling, bending down to gently ruffle my hair.
"You're the most special thing in my world, Scarlett," he'd say, pulling me into a tight hug. "Promise me you'll never leave? Don't let my world go black and white."
Back then, tucked safe in his arms, breathing in his clean, grassy scent, I'd nod solemnly.
"Never! We'll be together forever!"
Now...
Just... wasted time.
I opened my eyes fully. Ethan hadn't had time to hide the annoyance in his gaze.
"You're awake," he said quickly, stepping closer, checking my temperature. "Still a bit feverish. How's the pain? Your back?"
I stayed silent, just watching him. Disgusted, yet forcing himself to be kind.
Probably just because of what I used to be. I felt a bitter laugh bubble up inside, my eyes turning cold.
Ethan frowned slightly when I didn't answer.
"What now?" He straightened up, his gaze flat. "Mad because I didn't save you? Scarlett, you're not the only color in my world anymore. Viv is too. She was closer to the blast. I had to save her. Be reasonable."
My fingers tightened again. The coldness inside me spread. "The only color..."
I studied his face, really looked at him. A decision hardened within me.
The Rivers ancestors had messed up big time. Their descendants were cursed, most unable to see the world's true colors.
Until the Rossi bloodline came along.
Our blood countered their curse.
Twenty years ago, old Mr. Rivers saved my grandfather's life.
To repay that debt, I was sent to the Rivers family. To be Ethan's special one.
As long as I stayed near Ethan, he could see the colors I wore.
Just then, the hospital room door swung open.
A girl's bright, chirpy voice filled the space.
"Ethan Rivers! You are never doing that again! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"
Her words scolded, but her tone was pure flirtation, a playful scold.
Ethan glanced at me, hesitated for a split second, then pulled Vivian into his arms.
"Hey, you're special to me. Who else was I gonna save?"
Vivian paused, looking at me with fake concern. "But... Scarlett?"
Ethan pressed his lips together.
"Just some burns. Morphine takes the edge off. She won't blame you." He shot me a warning look, daring me to upset his precious Vivian.
The morphine had long worn off. The searing pain was a constant, gnawing torment.
Combined with Ethan's coldness, it left me freezing in the middle of July.
"Get some rest," he said, avoiding my eyes. "I had your things moved to the guest house. Viv will take your room in the main house. Try not to hang around there too much, okay?"
I managed a twisted smile. "Whatever."
My coldness threw him. He wasn't used to it.
He started to say something, but Vivian tugged his arm, pulling him away.
As she left, she glanced back, lips curving into a smirk. You lost.
When the room was silent again, I finally relaxed.
I called my grandfather.
Told him I was leaving.
Twenty years was long enough to repay a debt.
He sounded surprised. "But Ethan? I thought you loved him?"
A cold laugh escaped me. The pain in my back was a relentless reminder.
"Him? Let him drown in darkness forever. If he doesn't want to see me, then he shouldn't see anything!"