I Can't Hear You

James didn't come home all night, so I went to the hospital alone for the procedure.

Lying on the hospital bed, I called my mother.

She was shocked. "Layla? Why are you calling? Don't tell me… You can hear again?"

"Mom, I'll explain later. About the arranged marriage you mentioned—I agree to it."

There was a long silence before she let out a sigh.

"You're getting married on February 19th, aren't you? The invitations have already been sent. Why are you suddenly bringing up the arranged marriage now?"

I paused for a moment before replying, "The wedding will go on, but we'll change the groom. Could you ask them if they're willing?"

My mother hung up. Five minutes later, she called back and said, "They agreed."

After hanging up, a wave of pain hit my abdomen, forcing me to curl up. It wasn't until the IV drip finished that I felt some relief.

By the time I got home, it was already late at night.

James was sitting in the dark living room, the glow of his cigarette flickering faintly.

Seeing me enter, he jerked his head up, exhaustion written all over his face. He rushed over and pulled me into a tight embrace. "Babe, where have you been?"

Then, realizing I couldn't hear him, he let go and signed, "I've been calling and texting you all day. Why didn't you answer?"

I glanced at my phone and replied coldly, "Battery died, so it was off."

He let out a sigh of relief. "I thought I did something to upset you."

I ignored him and started heading toward the bedroom.

But he grabbed my hand and signed, "Come with me. I have a surprise for you."

Before I could react, he pulled me outside.

A white Alphard was parked nearby.

I looked at him coldly as he gestured excitedly, "Didn't you say this car looks nice? From now on, it's yours."

I was slightly surprised. After all, this car wasn't something he could easily afford.

Yet, just because I had casually complimented it, he had actually bought it.

For a brief moment, I wondered—had I misunderstood him somehow?

"Go check the trunk." He pointed to the back of the car.

I slowly approached, but just as I was about to open it, I heard the sound of two people kissing behind me.

"Are you crazy? Layla is right here!"

Then came Claudia's voice. "So what? She can't hear anything anyway. Besides, things are about to get even more exciting."

My hand froze mid-air.

Stunned for a moment, I quickly composed myself and reached for the trunk again, pretending not to notice.

James's panicked voice sounded behind me. "What do you mean? What did you do?"

The moment I opened the trunk, James rushed over and slammed it shut. Panic flashed across his face as he quickly signed, "Babe, your best friend Claudia is here. Let's check it out later, okay?"

I turned to him, forcing a smile.

The truth was, I had already seen what was inside—amid the roses in the trunk lay shredded lingerie and used contraceptives.