Chapter 2

2.

Soon, the news of Bennett and Ivy's engagement hit the headlines.

When I saw the announcement, the red rash on my body hadn't even faded. I sat in front of the TV, staring blankly.

Then I stood up, walked to the bookshelf, and took a piece of paper. I folded it into the shape of a ring.

I slid it onto my ring finger.

Bennett suddenly appeared. He froze for a second when he saw the hives covering my skin.

My first instinct was to hide my hand behind my back.

He wouldn't let me. He grabbed my wrist and pulled it forward. When he saw the paper ring, his eyes darkened.

"What is this? Are you trying to guilt-trip me?"

I struggled to pull my hand away. I pursed my lips and signed to him.

"Congratulations. You make a perfect couple."

As soon as I finished the signs, he ripped the paper ring off my finger and threw it into the trash.

"Of course I'm marrying her. Who else would I marry? You?"

"I would never marry a mute girl who can't even give me a proper answer."

I stared at the trash can, saying nothing.

He hated my silence more than anything. His breathing became heavy with irritation.

"The doctors said it! Your brain is fine, your vocal cords are fine! You aren't a damn mute!"

"I've taken care of you for ten years. Is it that hard to say one word to me? Or are you just addicted to playing the victim?"

"Anya, even a dog would show more gratitude than you!"

His voice was so loud it felt like my eardrums were vibrating.

A wave of anxiety crashed over me. I sat there trembling, my mouth opening and closing, but the sound was trapped behind a wall of fear.

Bennett's phone rang, cutting through the tension.

He glanced at the caller ID, then looked at me.

He answered and put it on speakerphone.

Ivy's sweet voice filled the room.

"Bennett, which wedding dress do you like better? I can't decide between the satin and the lace."

She sounded like a princess in a fairy tale. Bennett's frown vanished instantly. His face softened.

They flirted back and forth. Only when Bennett mentioned something specific did he look at me.

He told Ivy her voice was the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard. He said he never wanted to hang up.

In all the years I'd known him, we only communicated through texts. We had never had a single phone call.

My nose stung with tears. I suddenly stood up, snatched his phone, and hit the end-call button.

With red eyes, I signed as fast as I could.

"I am a mute! I can't speak! If you hate me so much, I'll leave!"

I put all my strength into every movement. Tears fell into my mouth, tasting like bitterness and salt.

He just laughed mockingly, his shadow looming over me.

"Leave? You think you can survive without me? Everything you have is because of me. Without me... you're nothing but trash."

Ten years ago, when I was a homeless kid, I nearly got my legs crushed by falling rocks while trying to save him. That was why he took me in.

Now, it felt like those rocks were falling on me again, crushing my chest.

"I..."

A tiny, fragile sound almost escaped my throat, but Ivy called again.

This time, Bennett answered and walked away without looking back.

I closed my mouth and swallowed the few words I had managed to form.