Chapter 1

When I was eight, I went out to deliver a cake to my childhood friend, Andrew Shaw.

But while I was gone, a fire broke out at home, and my six-year-old sister died in it.

"Why couldn't it have been you instead?" my parents screamed. "You useless deaf-mute freak!"

When I read their lip movements, my mind went completely blank.

But Andrew reached out, covered my eyes, and pulled me into his arms.

From then on, he was the only reason I kept living.

For my sake, he turned down offers from two top universities just to stay in the same city as me.

I studied animation, so he chose computer science. He said one day he'd build the worlds I dreamed up.

He even traveled across the country, searching for doctors who could fix my hearing and my voice.

I thought he would stay with me forever.

Until after the surgery, the doctor gave the wrong report, saying I would never recover.

I heard my parents say to Andrew, "Crush some sleeping pills into her drink. If anything happens, we'll take responsibility."

I glanced at the report the doctor had just handed me.

They didn't know that my hearing had been gradually recovering over the past week.

I was about to share that with them, but they hit me with their own shocking surprise first.

I pushed open the door. Sure enough, Andrew handed me a glass of water. "You must be tired. Here, have some water."

I hesitated, but still took it from him.

So, if Andrew really wanted to get rid of me, I would help him get what he wanted.

I raised the glass, ready to drink.

With a sharp crack, the glass hit the floor and shattered.

Andrew's eyes were rimmed with red. "I just realized, I forgot to wash this glass," he said.

He rushed to pick up the broken pieces and cut his hand.

"Andrew..." I whimpered.

I squatted down to help pick up the pieces, but he reached out and stopped me.

Andrew stood up as if nothing had happened.

"Go take a break. Dinner's almost ready," he said.

I rose to my feet, murmuring timidly.

Then I caught my parents staring at me like I was someone they hated.

Ever since my sister, Lily Lane, passed away, my parents beat me and cursed me at every turn, like they were waiting for me to die.

It was Andrew who matured overnight and became the only person who took care of me.

Without him, I would have died on a feverish night, or perhaps one morning, from hunger.

I was just about to head to the kitchen to help out.

Suddenly, a voice thundered in my ear. "Kneel! College made you forget the family rules?"

I wasn't used to such a sharp voice and trembled all over.

My mom stood right in front of me and gave me a rough shove.

I stumbled and fell heavily in front of Lily's portrait.

Before college, I had to kneel for at least two hours, day in and day out.

If my parents were in a bad mood, they'd make me kneel all night.

Later, Andrew would take me away on the excuse of asking me to tutor him.

That senior year of high school, I wouldn't have gotten into college without him.

Andrew looked over from the kitchen.

His eyes flashed with that familiar worry and concern.

"Ms. Lane, let's just let it slide today. She just got back," he said.

My mom let out a cold laugh. "Andrew, don't be soft-hearted. Be careful, she'll ruin your life too.

"If you can't do it, I'll handle it. Just turn a blind eye."

Andrew's face went pale with panic.

he pleaded, "Ms. Lane, please, don't do this. I'll take her to see better doctors.

"We'll figure something out."

I paused, wanting to tell them that I could hear now.

But then Dad said to Andrew, "Did you call Claire for dinner today?

"She comes round every few days just to ease your guilt.

"You must cherish her."

The words that were on the tip of my tongue got stuck in my throat.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.