I Can't Hear You

I go deaf in an attempt to save James Duncan. He falls to his knees before my parents and begs them to let me marry him. He says he'll care for me for life.

He finally passes his five-year test, but he sleeps with his lover before our wedding. He does it before my very eyes.

He clamps a hand over her mouth and says, "Be quiet. Don't wake Layla up."

His lover giggles and nibbles on his palm. "What's there to be afraid of? She's deaf; she can't hear us."

James doesn't know that I've already regained my hearing. He and his lover are also unaware that their behavior is being livestreamed.

In the fifth year of my deafness, James Duncan finally proved his love for me to my parents.

The day I found out I was pregnant, my parents finally gave in and agreed to our marriage.

The wedding was set for February 19th.

Then, on Valentine's Day, a miracle happened—I regained my hearing due to an accident.

Overjoyed, I rushed to find James, eager to share the good news with him.

He was in the bedroom, on the phone.

"Today is Valentine's Day. How about something exciting at your place—downstairs, in your car?"

The voice on the other end was my best friend—Claudia Foster.

I froze, confused. Slowly, I stepped closer. James turned around, smiling as he pointed to his phone and signed, "Hold on, babe. It's a client."

When I was deaf, he never avoided taking calls in front of me. He would even put them on speaker sometimes.

He chuckled softly. "Didn't you say you had a present for me?"

Beneath his fake-serious expression was a teasing, playful tone.

Claudia giggled. "I've got a special Valentine's outfit just for you to rip off yourself."

"You little minx. I'll be there soon," James replied, barely suppressing a smile.

A chill ran down my spine. My heart hurt so much that I had hard time breathe.

The two people I trusted most had been lying to me.

James hung up and turned around, only to see tears streaming down my face. Panicked, he quickly pulled me into his arms and wiped my tears as if handling a delicate piece of art.

"Babe, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He signed anxiously, his eyes filled with concern.

I bit my lip so hard it bled, struggling to hold back my emotions.

Forcing myself to steady my breath, I replied, "Nothing… Maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones making me emotional."

His tense expression softened as he ruffled my hair. "You scared me for a second there."

He pulled me into his arms again.

But all I could think about was him and Claudia. It made me sick.

I pushed him away. He frowned and signed, "Honey, you're acting strange. Nothing worries me more than seeing you upset. Your happiness is my happiness. Oh, how could I ever live without my wife?"

For the first time, I didn't respond to his affectionate words.

Perhaps sensing something amiss, he signed again, "I love you, dear."

Then, he hugged me tightly once more.

After a long moment, he finally let go and said he had work to do.

In the past, I would have pouted, begged, and insisted he stay with me on Valentine's Day.

But now, I simply nodded. "Okay. Work is important. Go ahead."

Hearing my approval, he left in a hurry.

Soon, a figure in red appeared downstairs.

Through the window, I watched James lift Claudia—wearing a red dress—into his arms and stuff her into his luxury car.

That was the car I had bought for him.

Moments later, the car started shaking.

My knees buckled. I slid down against the glass, my heart shattering into pieces.