A Sonata for the Scarred

Three years back, a crash wrecked Rhea's hearing—and the future she'd built her life around.

At her lowest point, Eddie stayed by her side like a hero, pulling her out of the shadows.

But the second she got her hearing back and thought she could finally tell him... she heard the truth: he'd planned the whole thing. For his beloved. So she could win.

Yeah, he was already engaged. To that girl.

Rhea didn't cry. Didn't scream. Just picked up her phone.

"Grandpa, I'm ready. I'm taking back the Cliburn name. And I'm entering the international piano competition as your heir."

"If this deaf girl finds out you're engaged to Glenna, and that you trashed her hearing just so Glenna could win—think she'd still be playing the obedient girlfriend?"

Rhea Smith froze, birthday gift still in her hands.

Today was Eddie Bowie's birthday. She'd planned a surprise. Instead, his friend's voice cracked everything wide open.

Three years ago, a crash stole her hearing.

Eddie learned sign language for her.

He became her whole world.

Now her hearing was back—and everything felt fake.

"Keep it down..." someone muttered.

Eddie pulled her in. "She can't hear."

Rick Hedd didn't bother lowering his voice. "Exactly. She's deaf. I get it if you're just messing around. Even if Glenna bailed on you before, she came crawling back. You two are engaged now. Time to drop the deaf girl."

Eddie paused. "She'll never find out. Not if I don't want her to."

Rick blinked. "Wait, seriously? You still wanna be with her? Don't tell me you actually fell for her."

Eddie gave him a look. "Rhea's done a lot for me. Back when I had nothing, she was there. She loves me. I can't just toss that away. And the engagement with Glenna? That's for her family. If they go broke, I'm not letting her sink. It's not about love."

Rick scoffed. "Could've fooled me. If you cared for even a little, what you did to Rhea was brutal."

Eddie stayed quiet. Turned to Rhea and signed, [Hungry? Want something to eat?]

A chill shot through her. Her lips twitched.

No way.

He was still wearing that same soft smile—like none of it ever happened.

Was this some kind of joke?

Liar.

Engaged? The crash? All those promises?

It hit like a gut punch.

She wanted to say something, rip into him—but the words sat there, sharp and useless.

She just bit her lip and shook her head.

Not because she was scared.

Because saying it out loud meant admitting her last three years were fake.

Her fingers curled tight around her purse. The medical report was in there—proof her hearing was back.

She'd heard every single word Eddie and Rick said.

Eddie's phone buzzed. He checked it, then signed, [Next event's starting. Go home—you're tired.]

Rhea didn't answer. Just stood, walked out without looking back.

But she didn't go far.

She stayed close, eyes locked on the door, dead silent.