Chapter 3

I asked my lawyer friend to draw up the divorce papers.

My friend was surprised during our video call.

"Is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Adam? He really loves you. We've all seen it," she signed.

I kept my expression calm as I said, "At the class reunion, my hearing suddenly returned out of nowhere."

My friend's eyes went wide when she saw me talking so naturally, and before she could celebrate, my next words completely shocked her.

"He said he couldn't stand spending his whole life with someone who can't hear or speak, that he was sick of how quiet I was, so he hooked up with a younger, prettier woman," I said.

I looked down at the wedding ring on my finger. It felt especially glaring, almost burning into my skin.

"Since Adam thinks I'm holding him back, I'll let him go and give him his freedom," I said.

My friend couldn't help but feel sorry, muttering under her breath. "Out of all of us, he's been the busiest and most exhausted these past few years, and things had finally started to get better for him. And then, right at this turning point..."

I really didn't know what Adam was thinking.

Maybe taking care of someone sick was more than he could handle, or maybe he couldn't stand living with someone who couldn't hear or speak, like talking to a wall.

Over time, what he once wanted got lost, and he ended up choosing a whole different path.

*****

At four in the morning, the soft click of the door woke me up.

Adam had showered and slipped into bed beside me, trying not to make a sound.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, rested his chin on my shoulder, and breathed in my scent like he couldn't get enough.

"Lily..." he murmured.

I turned back, and our eyes met.

Adam's gaze cleared suddenly. "Can you hear me?" he asked.

I chose not to tell the truth, following his lead and keeping it to myself.

I shook my head.

"I sensed you getting into bed. Why do you smell like perfume tonight?" I signed.

Adam's face flashed with guilt.

"My new secretary loves to drown herself in perfume at work. If it bothers you, I'll tell her to stop. Get some rest. Tomorrow's your follow-up appointment," Adam signed.

He chose to lie, and I chose not to call him out on it.

Adam was wearing a shirt with the top button undone, and the hickey Emily had left on his neck stood out like a glaring red mark.

I thought I was numb to disappointment by now.

But seeing that hickey hit me with a sudden stab of pain in my chest.

I closed my eyes and stayed silent.

Adam's phone rang. It was Emily calling.

"Did she notice? How did she react?" Emily asked.

Adam replied, his tone teasing. "She pretended not to notice. Ha, you nailed it."

Emily laughed, "She's deaf and mute. Even if she finds out you're cheating, what's she gonna do about it? Adam, let's try something more exciting tomorrow."

Adam chuckled affectionately. "You little troublemaker, how do you come up with so many tricks?"

The call lasted a long time.

They chatted about everything: deep stuff like poetry, everyday things like groceries, and planned out which places they'd visit on their next vacation.

Adam didn't hang up until the first light of dawn crept in, and then he sounded reluctant to end the call.

The phone showed the call had lasted two hours and thirty-seven minutes.

*****

Early the next morning, Adam made sure to take me to the hospital.

The doctor recognized me. "Things are looking really good. With one more round of treatment, Lily'll be able to communicate like everyone else."

The doctor was genuinely happy for me, and Adam, standing beside me with a smile, spoke up. "No need. I'm choosing to give up on her treatment. Give her some vitamins. That'll be enough."

The doctor's smile turned awkward, and I glanced over at Adam.

Adam's face was full of regret. He signed, "The doctor said you might never get back to how you were before. But don't worry, I'll stay by your side."

Adam then whispered, "If you get better, I won't be able to call Emily at night anymore. That'd really mess things up for me.

"You've gotten used to living like this for the past five years anyway, so it doesn't really matter if you spend the rest of your life this way."

He kissed my forehead, but the words he said sent a chill down my spine.

If my hearing hadn't come back, I might've been moved by Adam's so-called devotion and spent my whole life loving him blindly.

But now, all I could see was how rotten he really was.

Adam took me home.

I rested in the bedroom, and Adam took care of dinner in the kitchen.

There was a knock at the door.

"Adam!" Emily shouted without a care, her voice loud and clear.

Adam hurried to cover her mouth. "Quiet."

Emily threw herself into Adam's arms, unable to keep her hands off him.

"It's not like she can hear us anyway," Emily said.

Emily dropped her voice, gently biting Adam's ear. "See? You're already reacting. How about we do it in the room right next to hers? That'd be way more thrilling."

Adam's breathing grew ragged as he swept Emily up by the waist, pulling her tightly into his arms. "Okay, I'm in," he replied with a wicked grin.

The two of them locked themselves in the study, and soon, the unmistakable sounds of their passion drifted out from behind the door.

At this point, I felt nothing at all.

I stood by the door and texted Adam's parents, Monica and Frank Spencer. [Adam's in trouble. You need to come now.]

Emily let out broken sobs, and Adam, breathing heavily, teased her, "Do you dare to be naughty again?"

I smirked, waiting for the real show to begin.