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Then, he left without looking hack.
Once he disappeared, I added silently to myself, “Ethan Riley, when I said I’m fine on my own, I meant I’m fine without you, forever.”
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ther
3
I was about to leave when I bumped into Dr. Lee, my audiologist.
“Natalie, I thought you got your hearing back. Why are you still wearing that?” he asked, pointing at my hearing aid. A moment later, he seemed to understand.“A surprise for Ethan at the wedding, huh? I heard it was on a beach. Ethan’s so romantic!”
A sharp pain shot through my chest. Ethan knew I was terrified of the sea. After a short silence, I swallowed my disappointment.“Dr.
my disappointment.“Dr. Lee, please Then, I went to my studio and sketched designs all day.
Lee, please keep it
a secret.”
Late in the evening, Ethan walked in. The warm yellow light illuminated my face, creating a soft, serene glow. His heart softened. He enveloped me in a hug, kissing my hair.
A cloying perfume assaulted my nostrils. I pulled him away.
Ethan’s brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t like the way you smell,” I said calmly.
He paused, removing his jacket. “I must have picked it up while calming Chloe down today. Her condition worsened; it took me a while to settle her down.”
The air grew thick with silence. Sensing my depression, Ethan pinched my cheek. There was a hint of exasperation in his voice.“Jealous again, sweetie? I think of her only as a sister. My heart belongs only to you.” I looked up at him. Only to me? That was hilarious. Without saying anything, I returned my gaze to the designs. Ethan looked at my hearing aid.“How was the checkup? Everything okay?”
I
lowered my eyes. “Yeah,
same as before. I didn’t even bother getting the report. He thought I was upset about it and tried to comfort me.“It’s okay, medicine’s always advancing. I’ll be with you every step of the way. Even if we can’t fix it, I’ll be your ears forever.”
I murmured, “Mmm–hmm.”
Ethan
smiled gently.“It’s
Chloe’s birthday this weekend. She invited us to the
party.”
I politely declined.“I have plans this weekend…”
“Natalie, I know you don’t like Chloe, but she’s sick. She specifically asked me to invite you; You’re like a family to her. You should try to be there for her.”
I was speechless. Seeing the furrow in Ethan’s brow, I once again felt relief in my decision to leave him.
Sunday, Ethan dragged me to Chloe’s birthday party. The private room buzzed with laughter and chatter; it was full of people I didn’t know.
“Ethan, Natalie, you made it!”
Chloe, wearing a birthday hat, looked genuinely happy. You wouldn’t guess she had severe depression.
I handed her my gift.“Happy birthday.”
She casually set it aside and pulled Ethan away. I was left there alone. Chloe’s brother, Mark, came over to explain. “I don’t have much of an eye for aesthetics, so Chloe asked Ethan to help her with her birthday photos. They did it every year. I hope you won’t mind it.”
I shook my head, found a seat, and watched Ethan and Chloe.
Chloe wanted ice cream; Ethan said no. She wanted to drink; Ethan said no again. She pouted, but obeyed. “Ethan’s always SO overprotective. He’s
more strict
“Only Ethan can handle you,” her friends chimed in, teasing them both.
than my own
brother!”
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I tuned them out, opening my phone and browsing a jewelry show.
After a while, the noise died down a bit. Ethan sat beside me.
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“Tired? Just stay a little longer. We’ll leave after midnight.” He reached out and removed my hearing aid.
I stared at him with confusion. He signed, “You’ve had it in too long. It’ll be uncomfortable. Relax.”
Despite the thoughtfulness, I felt no warmth. This hearing aid was custom–made for me by his contacts. It fit my ear perfectly, I could wear it all day without feeling uncomfortable. But now, he’d forgotten that.
The next moment, I saw Ethan and Chloe walk to the center of the room. A duet started playing on the karaoke machine, Ethan’s smooth voice filling my ears.
“You’re my destiny…”
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