2
I opened my phone and texted my manager, Sarah.
month
“I’ve thought it over. I’ll join the team for the overseas training program Though my hearing was a setback, fate had given me a unique gift: an incredibly keen sense of style and aesthetics. At 24, I was already making a name for myself in jewelry design. My pieces were highly sought after by celebrities and collectors. If Ethan was my redeemer, jewelry design was my shelter and destination. The company valued me; they’d offered to send me abroad a week ago to learn about cutting–edge design. Put the school was gated, and the idea of a long–distance relationship with Ethan had made me hesitant. “Natalie, aren’t you getting married?” Sarah’s reply popped up,
The word “married” felt like a poisoned dart, stinging my eyes. I typed back decisively, “No, I’m not Ambition trumped romance. It was time for me to woke up.
Soon, I received my flight confirmation for October 29th. I put my phone down, got up to wash. Then I got another notification. It was Chloe she updated her Instagram.
The caption read: Finally, I’m going to share life’s adventures with the man of The video showed Ethan saying, “Chloe, if you like it, let’s get this ring.”
my dreams.
My eyes burned. I shut off my phone. Then, I grabbed a red pen and circled my departure date on the calendar. Fifteen days left.
Ethan didn’t come home that night. I only saw his late–night text the following morning. I didn’t reply. I looked in the mirror, composed myself, and prepared for work. As I passed the entryway, I paused, then put on my hearing
aid.
I opened the door and bumped into Ethan, who had just come back. Bloodshot eyes, gaunt face. He looked like he hadn’t slept in a day. But when he saw me, his expression softened. He handed me a bag.“Forgot breakfast again, huh?”
“I already ate. I’m heading to work.”
I wanted to walk away, but he grabbed my hand.
Ethan signed, “Natalie, it’s your hearing appointment today. Go get checked.”
My heart skipped a beat. My period, my birthday, my hearing checkups… he remembered them all better than my alarm clock. He used to say he hoped that the first thing I heard after regaining my hearing would be his voice.“Then you’ll fall in love with me again, and we’ll never be apart.”
Before I could react, he pulled me towards the hospital.
On the way to the audiology department, several times I almost blurted out that I could hear. But a nurse interrupted me.
“Dr. Riley, Miss Parker in Room 3 is having a breakdown. She cut her arm and won’t let us treat it. We can’t handle her; you need to go see her.”
Three months ago, Chloe was diagnosed with severe depression. She self–injured when she was depressed and broke things when she was emotional. Basically, she needed constant supervision. Her family and the hospital staff couldn’t do anything about her. Only Ethan could calm her down and get her to cooperate with treatment.
Ethan’s face tightened. He released my hand and rushed to the ward. Midway there, he paused, turning back to me with a hesitant look.
“Natalie, I…”
Seeing his struggle, I said, “Go ahead. I’m fine on my own.”
His brow relaxed.“Okay. Send me the results.”
08:20
