Chapter 2

I pulled out my phone and silently erased Capitavia University from my personal statement.

Then I found a university down south, the farthest one from Capitavia.

It was Seaside University, best known for its marine biology program.

My future had no finance, no Alex.

I carefully typed my personal statement, letter by letter.

Then I hit confirm.

Goodbye, Alex.

Goodbye to my stupid nine years.

After I finished, I walked into my room, grabbed my biggest suitcase, and started packing.

Every gift Alex had ever given me, all the notes he'd written for me, every little thing that held a piece of our past, I packed them up and dumped them in the trash can by the door.

That evening, my parents came home.

My mom walked in with a big smile. "Emma, look what I got you. Your favorite strawberry cake. Today's your eighteenth birthday, and you got the all-clear from the doctor, two reasons to celebrate."

My dad was carrying a big gift box. "Emma, I ordered you the latest noise-canceling headphones. No more tiny hearing aids for you. Now you can listen to music and hear everything in the world, like everyone else."

Seeing their smiles, I couldn't hold back anymore. Tears burst out, flooding down my cheeks.

My mom instantly panicked, grabbing me in a tight embrace. "What's wrong, Emma? Did someone hurt you? Tell me."

I buried my face in her arms and cried my heart out, sobbing so hard it felt like my chest was being torn apart.

I poured out everything that had happened at school today.

The atmosphere in the living room froze in an instant.

My mom was trembling with rage, her eyes red with fury.

My dad's face was stormy. He slammed his fist onto the coffee table with a loud bang. "The Carter family. This is outrageous."

My dad picked up his phone, about to call Alex's father.

I grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Dad, don't."

I wiped my tears away, my gaze steadier than ever, calm and unwavering. "I'm calling off the engagement.

"Right now. This instant."

My parents and I rushed straight to the Carter family's house that very night.

The Carter family's house was brightly lit, looking like a full-blown celebration, with the living room overflowing with laughter and cheerful voices.

Monica Carter, Alex's mother, dressed in a designer long dress, was all smiles as she proudly boasted to the guests, "Alex is so loyal and devoted. Ever since he was a kid, he's been set on Emma. He says he won't marry anyone else.

"Emma may have some health issues, but Alex insists he'll take care of her for the rest of his life."

A wealthy lady remarked admiringly, "Boys this devoted are so rare nowadays. The Carter family sure raised him right."

Monica's smile grew even wider with pride.

My dad kicked open the door, the loud crash instantly silencing the room.

Everyone stared at the doorway in shock.

Monica's smile froze the moment she saw the three of us. "Tonny? Why are you here?"

My dad ignored her, his eyes sharp as blades, zeroing in on Alex, who was equally shocked. "Alex, get your ass out of here."

Alex looked like he'd seen a ghost, and Olivia clung to his arm, her knuckles white with anxiety.

James Carter, Alex's father, strode forward with his brows furrowed. "Tonny, what's the meaning of this? Let's not make a scene. If you've got something to say, say it nicely."

"Say it nicely?" My dad let out a cold laugh, pulling me protectively in front of him. "Why don't you ask your precious son what he did to my daughter at school today?"

Alex kept his eyes down, refusing to look at me.

Monica's face changed. She hurried over, reaching for my hand, but my mom swatted her away.

"Emma, what's wrong? Did Alex make you angry? Tell me, and I'll teach him a lesson for you," Monica said.

At that moment, she was pretending to care.

I looked her straight in the eye and said, clear and deliberate, "Monica, I'm not here to tattle."

My voice was soft, but it carried. Everyone in the room heard me clearly.

Monica froze.

Alex snapped his head up, staring at me in disbelief.

For the first time in nine years, I wasn't wearing my hearing aids. For the first time, I spoke to him with my real voice, like anyone else. "I'm here to break off the engagement."

I grabbed the velvet box with the engagement keepsake from my dad and threw it right at Alex's feet. "From this moment on, Alex and I are finished. The engagement is over. Nothing left between us."

Alex's pupils contracted in shock.

He probably still thought I was that weak, helpless girl, the deaf one who always needed him to protect me.

He probably believed I was throwing a fit, that after a good cry, he'd comfort me and everything would go back to normal.

He never expected me to be this resolute.

"Emma, are you done with your drama?" Alex finally snapped, his voice tight with anger and embarrassment.

"Me, causing drama?" I laughed, tears almost spilling over. "Alex, you said you were sick of me, that I was nothing but a burden. You said you wished I'd died when I was nine.

"Fine, I'll give you what you want. I'm out of your life for good."

With that, I didn't even look at his pale, devastated face. I turned to my parents and said, "Dad, Mom, let's go."

The three of us walked out with our heads held high, leaving the Carter family and all their guests frozen in utter disbelief.

Behind us, Monica's frantic screams and Alex's panicked shouts rang out in the hall. "Emma, Emma Wynn, stop right there."

I didn't look back.

As our car drove away from the Carter family's estate, I watched the scenery blur past outside the window, and a calm washed over me.

That suffocating, heavy past, filled with guilt and pity, was finally laid to rest by my own hands.