Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The next morning, I got up early on purpose and ran right into Garrett walking out of the guest room.

He looked completely satisfied, with flushed cheeks.

The moment our eyes met, all the color drained from his face, and he asked in a panic:

"Why are you up so early today?"

I smiled, pretending not to notice his terror, and signed:

"Because today is our seventh wedding anniversary. I'm really excited."

Seeing that I had no suspicious reaction, he let out a quiet sigh of relief and stepped forward to hug me.

A sickening blast of cheap perfume assaulted my nose.

I stepped back, making an excuse to brush him off.

"I need to wash up first."

I hurried into the bathroom.

Leanna woke up shortly after, whining for Garrett to make her a nutritious breakfast.

"My stomach hurts. Before you take her out to dinner, you have to take me to the clinic for a checkup!"

Garrett coaxed her patiently.

"Alright, alright. Anything you want, as long as you and the baby are healthy."

The sound of running water filled the bathroom as I splashed cold water over my face again and again.

My fingers brushed against the faint surgical scar behind my ear, lingering there for a second.

Three days ago, when sound rushed back into my world like a tidal wave, the first person I wanted to tell was Garrett.

I resisted the urge to text him and stopped by our favorite bakery on my way back from the hospital to get a cake for our celebration.

But when I reached our front door, I overheard Garrett and Leanna talking inside.

Their conversation was vulgar, filthy, and unrestrained.

It was definitely not the way casual friends talked.

In that single moment, I realized Garrett was no longer in love with me alone.

I threw the cake into the trash chute and put my deaf mask back on.

He didn't notice anything different. He just asked about my hospital visit as usual.

I signed that everything was the same.

He sighed, but there was no pity in his eyes―only a profound sense of relief.

He had never wanted me to get better.

I turned off the tap.

When I dried my face and walked out, Garrett was already dressed up and frying eggs in the kitchen.

He looked back with a gentle smile and signed:

"I made sunny-side-up eggs for you, with the runny yolk you love most."

I nodded and sat at the table.

My gaze drifted past the tightly closed guest room door; it was quiet inside, but the sickening tension hung thick in the air.

"The reservation is set for six tonight."

Garrett slid the plate toward me, his gaze dripping with tender affection.

"After dinner, I have a big surprise for you."

Too bad. By six tonight, I would already be out of this city.