4
When I was 21, Ethan told me that even without hearing, I could feel the world’s sounds with my heart. When I was 25, he took my hearing aid away so he could sing a love song with another woman. My heart felt like it was being pierced by a thousand needles no blood, just countless wounds.
I left the private room. The night’s river shimmered. The wind cooled my face. Watching my phone’s notes, my anxiety surprisingly subsided. I’d leave this city in ten days. I shouldn’t be heartbroken over someone who’d changed. A fresh start awaited me.
As I prepared to go home, a jacket was draped over my shoulders. Ethan signed with his slender fingers. “Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving? What if something happens?”
I replied flatly, “You seemed to be having fun singing with Chloe. I didn’t want to interrupt.” A pang of guilt struck Ethan. “I wasn’t singing with her. I just said a few words of blessing to her. It’s windy out here. Let’s go home.”
After all these years, I knew he only changed the subject when he was lying. Looking at our estranged shadows stretching on the ground, I said softly, “Ethan, let’s break up.”
The simple words stunned him.
“Natalie, I know I’ve been so busy with my work that I’ve ignored your feelings. But I’ll make time for you, no matter how busy I am. You know my biggest wish is to marry you.”
He held me tight, as if afraid I’d vanish. My eyelashes fluttered; my thoughts drifted.
A
year ago, I entered an international design competition. At that time, no hearing aids were allowed. All the contestants could hear the support, except me. Thus, Ethan had the entire city’s billboards broadcasting messages of support for me. I won first place. During the interview, he held my hand, his gaze firm. He said, “She’s a gift from God. My greatest wish is to marry her.”
Father time had a cruel sense of humor. After I said we should separate, Ethan rushed home every night to be with me. While I worked on my designs, he’d read medical journals. It felt like we could go back to how things used to be, if I ignored how often he checked his phone.
The texts were from Chloe; one every half hour. Ethan’s phone buzzed 67 times that day. Every night, after I fell asleep, he’d go to the balcony or bathroom to soothe Chloe over his phone.
“Chloe, be good. You get treatment, and I’ll bring you strawberry cake tomorrow.”
“No, Ethan, I miss your kisses and hugs!”
I heard his weary chuckle, followed by the rhythmic sounds of kissing.
This went on for a week. Then, Ethan gave me tickets to a fireworks show.
“Natalie, you always wanted to see this.”
I did want to see this show; it would be hard to see one like it once I left this country. But when I arrived, I saw Chloe.
Ethan explained, “Natalie, Chloe’s been cooperating with her treatment. This was a promise I made to her a long time ago.”
Chloe smiled sweetly.“Yeah, Natalie, I haven’t gone out in a while. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin your date.”
But she kept pulling Ethan away from me for playing games and taking photos. Sometimes she would even tug my arm.“Natalie, look at Ethan, he never lets me win!”
I said nothing, focusing on the fireworks.
On the way home, Chloe asked Ethan to buy some small fireworks for her next birthday.
After Ethan left, Chloe dropped the pretense. She pulled out her phone, showing me pictures of seaside wedding
decorations.
Menu
“Natalie, what do you think of a seaside wedding? I want to have mine on the beach someday, and Ethan thinks it’s a great idea, too.”
I understood her intentions, but I didn’t want to argue. I tried to walk away, but Chloe wouldn’t let me go. Yanking off my hearing aid, she looked angry and impatient.
“You can hear, and you still don’t answer. Since you enjoy being deaf, why are you still wearing that?”
I frowned, reaching for the haring aid.
Then, a car sped toward us…
was
Ethan, who
returning, I reacted quickly and stepped back, narrowly avoiding the
Our eyes met. When Ethan
“Natalie, you can hear?”
saw everything.
He
shouted, “Natalie,
Chloe,
car.
Chloe
look out!”
was in Ethan’s arms.
saw I wasn’t wearing my hearing aid, his pupils constricted.
