I was deaf, and my husband never avoided discussing matters in front of me. But I never imagined that he wouldn’t even bother to hide when trying out new toys with someone else. On the day my hearing was restored, I happily pushed open the front door, only to hear his female assistant asking in a soft voice: “Ryan, is it me that excites you, or that deaf woman?” In the heat of passion, the man called out the assistant’s name deeply. “So when are you going to divorce her? I’m the one who loves you the most.” Ryan Collins hesitated for a moment before saying: “Give me some more time. She’s been with me for over a decade and lost her hearing because of me. Although I no longer have romantic feelings for her, I still can’t let her go just yet.” I sat in the cold wind for a long time before sending a message to my former mentor, who had expelled me from his tutelage. “I’m willing to abide by the rules and cut off all emotional ties. Please let me come back.” After sending the message, I thought they would finish. But when I returned home with my emotions in check, the two were still going at it. The room was filled with an indescribable odor, and I quickly opened the window to let in some fresh air. Ryan seemed to sense something was amiss. “Did someone just come in? Could it be Aria?” “What are you afraid of? She can’t hear anyway.” “If Aria’s been waiting outside for too long, she might get suspicious. We absolutely can’t let her find out about this. Besides, it’s so cold outside, and her health isn’t good…” Amber, dissatisfied with the man’s distraction, silenced him with a kiss. The sound of their lips smacking together could be heard. “But Ryan, don’t you find this exciting? No matter how wild we get, she can’t hear us. Just thinking about that deaf woman waiting outside gets me all worked up.” Ryan stopped talking, and the noises from the room grew louder. Until a few minutes later when they gradually subsided. The bedroom door opened briefly before slamming shut again. Ryan quickly emerged from the room, putting on a gentle smile as he used sign language to ask me: “Aria, why are you here? I was so focused on painting a crucial part that I didn’t hear you knock.” After I lost my hearing, many of my former friends chose to communicate with me through text messages. Only Ryan didn’t mind the trouble and immediately signed up for sign language classes. He said: “Texting would make Aria feel lonely. By using sign language, I can let her know my thoughts immediately. A little effort is nothing for Aria’s sake.” But now, what was once proof of our happiness had become a tool to deceive and hurt me. The man’s face was flushed with satisfaction, a mixture of musk and perfume wafting from him, clearly an attempt to cover something up. Memories suddenly flooded back. During the time I had lost my hearing, I had smelled this scent many times, but each time Ryan had brushed it off as the smell of paint from his studio. If I hadn’t accidentally regained my hearing, how much longer would Ryan have continued to deceive me? I maintained a calm expression, though my nails were nearly digging into my palms. “It’s nothing, I just wanted to come see you.” “Ryan, you were amazing. I’m already hungry again after that candlelit dinner. I’m craving those little dumplings from South Street.” Amber’s voice came from inside the room. Ryan’s expression softened for a moment before he turned to me and signed: “I’m hungry. Could you go to South Street and buy some dumplings? I can’t continue creating without eating those.” I nodded. As soon as I turned around, Ryan no longer held back, joking with the woman inside. “You really should eat up. How else will you keep up with me in the future?” Amber’s tone was contemptuous. “What’s there to be afraid of? Even if I pass out in bed, isn’t there someone to run errands and buy medicine? Would she dare refuse anything you ask?” At that moment, I could no longer hold back my sorrow and began to cry. Ryan didn’t notice, only watching as I disappeared down the hallway step by step. I bought some dumplings from a street vendor. Just as I was wondering what to do with the rest of my time, a phone call came in. “Aria, my girl, you’ve finally come to your senses?” A familiar and kindly voice came through the phone, and I could no longer hold back the bitterness and sorrow in my heart. “Master, I want to come home.” “Then do you understand that to study music composition under me, the rule is to cut off all romantic entanglements? Only by eliminating the distraction of love between men and women can you quiet your mind and truly comprehend the essence of music theory.” Looking at the steaming dumplings in my hand, I answered without hesitation. “I understand. I studied with you for so long, yet I left everything behind for a man. I was out of my mind then. Now, I want to restart my dream.” “Good. I’ll be waiting for you at the foot of the mountain in seven days. For three years, you are not to leave the mountain until you’ve completed all your studies.”
When I returned home, the room had already been tidied up by Ryan. Buying dumplings was just an excuse to get me out of the house. “Why did you take so long? It’s all my fault. I knew your ears weren’t good, yet I still sent you to buy dumplings. If you got hurt or sick, even ten of me couldn’t make up for it.” Ryan came up to me, looking slightly apologetic. A notification sound came from his phone, and he opened it without trying to hide anything from me. “I’m heading back now. I wouldn’t eat something so fattening while I’m trying to maintain my figure. Leave the dumplings for that scrawny cripple to eat.” The man turned around and sent back a voice message, his tone full of affection. “That’s right, you’ve got curves in all the right places. Keep it up, it’ll all be to my benefit in the end. Next time I’ll take you to that new Western restaurant that just opened.” This was the man I had loved for so many years. One moment he was showing concern for me, the next he was flirting shamelessly with another woman. Amber was a freelance model at Ryan’s studio. He once whispered in my ear with disdain: “If we weren’t short on models, I wouldn’t even look at such a loose woman.” But now that he had achieved fame and fortune, instead of replacing her, he had ended up in bed with the woman he once looked down upon. “Let’s split the dumplings, just like we used to.” Ryan gestured to me, turning to fetch two small bowls from the kitchen. He placed them on the table and began carefully spooning out the dumplings. His expression was focused, as if he were performing some sacred ritual. Meeting the man’s tender gaze, I felt a pang in my heart. When Ryan wasn’t famous yet, we often ate at this dumpling shop. When money was tight, we’d share a bowl. Although it was barely enough to satisfy our hunger, we were happy. The freshly made dumplings were soft and delicious, steaming hot. But now, the dumpling skins had gone soggy, the filling of fresh meat and shrimp had leaked out, and a layer of congealing oil floated on top of the soup. A wave of nausea suddenly hit me. “Aria, what’s wrong?” I pushed away the worried-looking Ryan and ran straight to the bathroom. As I vomited, a terrifying thought crossed my mind. While Ryan was having an affair with Amber, he hadn’t neglected his marital duties with me either. We both wanted a child, so we hadn’t used any protection. I took a pregnancy test, and sure enough, I was pregnant. The bathroom door was kicked open with a bang. “Aria, am I going to be a father? I’m going to be a father!” When Ryan saw what I was holding, the anxiety on his face turned to excitement. He gestured wildly: “When you pushed me away earlier, I suddenly felt so scared. Now I realize it was the baby giving us a sign!” I pressed my lips together, my heart filled with sorrow. Ryan carried me back to bed and tucked me in. “You’re a mother-to-be now, get some rest.” He then turned to answer his phone, which had been ringing non-stop. “What is it?” “Ryan, I’m pregnant! The baby survived even though you were so rough today. This must be a smart and healthy child!” “What did you say?!” “You didn’t use protection, doesn’t that mean you were hoping for this baby too? Let’s get married, okay?” Ryan looked back nervously, but seeing my calm expression, he breathed a sigh of relief. “I meant for you to take the morning-after pill. Never mind, keep the baby. I’ll provide for it, but don’t expect anything else.” “But this is my first time being a mother too. I’m so scared. Don’t be so harsh with me. Can you come over?” Seemingly realizing his tone had been too harsh, the man’s expression softened. “Alright, be a good girl and wait for me.” After hanging up, Ryan kissed me on the cheek and signed: “There’s a problem at the studio. I need to go out for a bit.” The model is pregnant, how is that not a studio problem? As the door slammed shut, I could no longer hide the disgust on my face. The two of them had just been writhing together on this bed. Even though it had been cleaned, there still seemed to be a lingering smell of musk. I got up and walked to the guest room. Did Ryan think he could have one wife at home and keep a mistress outside, enjoying the pleasures of multiple partners? He’s dreaming! I won’t keep the baby. And I don’t want him either.
To avoid suspicion, I went to the hospital for my routine check-up the next day as usual. Ryan arrived early, with Amber by his side. Noticing my gaze, he smiled and signed: “Amber is an employee at my studio, remember? She’s not feeling well, so I brought her along for a check-up today.” The woman wore a tight red dress that accentuated her curves, a stark contrast to my style. She gave me a somewhat challenging look. “The baby in my tummy isn’t feeling well, so hubby brought me for a check-up.” Ryan quickly warned her: “This is a hospital, behave yourself.” Amber giggled and stroked the man’s chest where others couldn’t see. “So does that mean I can misbehave at home? Ryan, let’s try the balcony tonight.” Ignoring the conversation between the two, I walked straight into the room and lay down on the examination bed as usual. Everything proceeded as normal until the doctor spoke up. “As per your instructions, I’ve been replacing the hearing recovery medication with vitamins. But Ms. Wells’ ears can’t be neglected for too long. If we don’t start the final treatment soon, I’m afraid she might never hear again.” Ryan frowned in thought, while Amber snapped at the doctor: “You’re just a doctor, why are you meddling? Just take the money we pay you and mind your own business!” Then she turned to Ryan and whined: “Ryan, can we wait a bit longer? It’s so much more fun and exciting when she can’t hear us.” “So what if she stays deaf? It’s not like it’ll kill her.” The doctor continued to persuade: “I can see that Ms. Wells really wants to recover quickly. During her previous treatments, she even told me that composing music was her lifelong dream. Mr. Collins, please consider…” The man’s expression was conflicted, but in the end, the scales tipped in Amber’s favor. “Let’s wait a while longer. Things are fine as they are now. I’ll take you to check on the baby first.” He then warned the doctor: “I don’t want to hear any more unnecessary comments from you next time. I’m paying you good money to be here. How and when to treat this condition is my decision. Know your place.” The doctor could only agree reluctantly. The two left the room. I lay on the examination bed, feeling as if I were in a cold hell, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. No wonder my hearing hadn’t improved despite it being just concussion-induced deafness. It turns out my ears could have been cured. But Ryan deliberately switched my medication to make it easier for him to carry on his affair with Amber! He didn’t know that my hearing had already recovered, and I had recorded all the evidence on my phone these past few days. Back then, I loved Ryan so much that I was willing to give up my dreams for him, even risking never hearing again to ensure his safety. But now, he doesn’t deserve any of it. I didn’t hesitate any longer and went straight to the gynecology department. “Doctor, please help me terminate the pregnancy.” With anesthesia, the process wasn’t painful. But it felt like a hole had been carved out of my heart, aching unbearably.
Ryan didn’t come home that night. Early the next morning, he woke me up, his face flushed, carrying a bag of breakfast. “Aria, I’m taking you out today. Eat something first to line your stomach.” Baguette, bacon, coffee – all things Amber loved to eat. I gave him a cold look. “I’m intolerant to coffee. It makes me dizzy when I drink it.” Ryan’s face showed a flash of embarrassment before he quickly covered it up. “These foods are healthier than the steamed buns you like. Eating more of this is good for the baby during pregnancy.” Good for the baby? Unfortunately, this child had already left this world forever. I nodded. There was no point in arguing with him anymore since I was about to leave anyway. Ryan took me to a wheat field. This was where we first met. I had snuck down from the mountain, disobeying my mentor to find inspiration for composing. Ryan had come here with his easel to sketch the scenery. The moment our eyes met, my heart began to race, and a thousand fireworks exploded in my mind. After we got together, nourished by love, I created many acclaimed musical pieces for a time. Ryan once said: “Aria, you’re my muse. Just looking at you fills my mind with endless inspiration.” It was so beautiful back then. But now, I hadn’t composed anything in six months. And Ryan had started to frequently mess around with Amber to get greater stimulation and inspiration. The wheat field was beautiful, but Amber was standing in it. She was dressed particularly formally, in a shimmering gold gown that complemented the golden wheat. “Amber is not only a model for my studio now, but also my personal assistant,” Ryan signed to me. We spent the whole day together, with Amber following us the entire time. Until it was completely dark. I heard Amber shouting: “Three, two, one!” In an instant, fireworks burst into the sky, illuminating the entire night, gradually forming four large words – MARRY ME. Ryan’s eyes were shining as he knelt before me on one knee, holding out a red velvet box with a ring inside. “Marry me. I’ll be good to you and our baby for the rest of my life.” I once told Ryan that instead of man-made fireworks, I wanted him to propose to me in a field of peach blossoms. Who really likes these showy fireworks? It must be Amber, who was squealing with delight behind us. “It’s so beautiful! I love it!” “Ryan, I do! I do want to marry you!” Ryan’s proposal vows didn’t specify a name, so the person he was proposing to could be me or Amber standing behind us. “I don’t,” I said softly, my voice quickly drowned out by Amber’s screams. Ryan suddenly stood up, his eyes red, and hugged me tightly, as if a wanderer had finally found a home to return to. But behind my ear came the sound of heavy breathing. It was Ryan kissing Amber. He was hugging me, but his heart was elsewhere. “Ryan, let’s do it in the wheat field tonight. I love it here so much.” “Don’t be silly, Aria is still here. What if she finds out?” The first thing Ryan thought of wasn’t guilt, but fear of me discovering them. “There’s a B&B next door. Just send her there. It’ll be so exciting to do it with the baby, out in the open! You enjoyed it yesterday too, didn’t you?” Ryan’s breathing became ragged, and he quickly agreed. After driving me to the B&B, he didn’t even notice anything wrong with my expression. He made up a quick excuse and left with Amber. With trembling hands, I opened the surveillance app on my phone and watched as the two of them clung to each other inseparably. It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning that they finally stopped. When I got home, I left the engagement ring on the coffee table in the living room and turned to leave. Meanwhile, Ryan and Amber had rushed to the hospital because Amber had been bitten by an insect while sleeping on the wheat straw. “It’s just a minor injury. The insect wasn’t poisonous, and the fetus is stable,” the doctor said. Ryan breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, the doctor who had been treating me burst in, looking panicked. “Mr. Collins, according to the last examination results, Ms. Wells’ hearing has already recovered. She might have heard everything we said. And, and on that same day, Ms. Wells went to the gynecology department and terminated her pregnancy!”
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