The first thing Lilith Harper wanted to do when her hearing returned was to share the good news with her fiancé, Ryan Mitchell. She rushed to Ryan’s company without delay, eager to share this news with him. Lilith had already imagined his delighted expression and even decided which restaurant they should go to celebrate. But at his office door, she overheard him discussing with his friends how men could play around. Ryan, unaware that she was outside or that her hearing had returned, said, “I’ve been keeping a mistress behind my fiancée’s back… I’m meeting her at a hotel today. My fiancée can’t hear, so I even flirt with my mistress right in front of her.” Ryan’s words reached Lilith’s ears clearly, leaving her mind blank and her blood frozen. His friends in the office immediately erupted in exclamations, giving him thumbs up and praising his audacity. Sitting in his office, Ryan smiled slightly at his friends’ compliments. Just as he was about to raise his glass to celebrate with them, he noticed Lilith standing at the office door. His face darkened instantly, but then remembering that Lilith couldn’t hear, he calmed down. He put down his glass, walked to the door, and signed to Lilith: “Why did you come by yourself? Didn’t I say I’d pick you up to look at wedding dresses? Why didn’t you respond to my messages? I was so worried something had happened to you.” His face showed genuine concern, not seeming fake at all. Lilith recalled how Ryan had fallen in love with her at first sight when she was eighteen, pursuing her passionately for two years. He sent flowers, bags, and jewelry, checked on her daily, and surprised her with different gifts on every holiday and birthday. When Lilith’s adoptive parents passed away, he stayed by her side constantly, caring for her and helping her through her darkest times. Only after his 500th confession did she finally agree to be with him. Three years ago, she lost her hearing while saving Ryan. Heartbroken, she tried to break up with him several times. But Ryan refused to let her go, holding her and begging her not to abandon him. He learned sign language for her and stayed by her side whenever she struggled with her hearing loss. Even when the Mitchell family strongly opposed their relationship, he knelt in pouring rain for three days and nights, fasting the entire time. In the end, he was beaten by his father, Daniel Mitchell, with family discipline, leaving him covered in wounds with fractured ribs. Ryan was sent to the hospital unconscious and couldn’t leave his bed for three whole months. Before losing consciousness, Ryan had said that if the Mitchell family wouldn’t accept their relationship, he would cut ties with them. Daniel finally gave in, having no other choice. Lilith had held him tight, crying, asking why he was so foolish. Ryan had simply wiped away her tears and gently signed “I love you.” When Ryan proposed, he did it grandly, decorating an ancient castle elaborately. The place was filled with her favorite pink roses, and he had acquired the “Heart of True Love,” a diamond ring worth over a hundred million dollars that had once belonged to European royalty. As he knelt down, Ryan—usually decisive and ruthless in business—trembled nervously with reddened eyes. He was terrified she might refuse him. When she said “I will,” he jumped up in joy, tears streaming down his face—something he never did. He held her tightly for a long time, like a child who had finally received his most treasured toy. The day after their engagement, she was accidentally bumped while going out and hit her head. Miraculously, her hearing returned. After hospital checks confirmed everything was normal and her hearing had indeed recovered, Lilith was overjoyed. She had thought having Ryan’s unique love was enough happiness. She never imagined her hearing could return. But when she wanted to share this good news with Ryan, she overheard about his affair. No wonder he had been frequently working late for the past month, claiming the company was busy. It turned out he had been “working” on another woman. He had promised never to betray her. How could his heart have strayed to another woman in just a few short years? She didn’t understand. But she knew this relationship had cracked, and he had changed. Pulling herself back to the present, Lilith watched as Ryan continued signing: “Were you too eager to see the wedding dress that you couldn’t wait for me to pick you up?” After their successful engagement, Ryan had been impatient to start a family with her, eager to fulfill his dream of marrying her. Their wedding was just a month away. But Lilith knew there would be no wedding in a month. From the moment she discovered his infidelity, she had decided to leave him.
Lilith didn’t want Ryan to know she had regained her hearing. She gave a slight nod. Ryan sighed with relief when he saw Lilith nod. Although he knew Lilith couldn’t hear, Ryan was worried his friends might say something inappropriate, so he held her hand as they left the office. He continued using sign language with her. “Come on, I’ll take you to look at wedding dresses right now…” When they reached the Maybach parked outside the office building, Ryan was about to open the passenger door for her. But Lilith saw that her usual seat was occupied by a beautiful, striking young woman. Lilith recognized this woman—Abigail Hayes, Ryan’s junior schoolmate who had recently returned from abroad. Ryan was also startled to see the girl in the passenger seat, then remembered he had arranged to meet Abigail at the hotel today. He had assumed Abigail would arrive later and was surprised she came so early. Ryan felt awkward but forced himself to explain to Lilith, “Abigail also happens to be going to the bridal shop, so I’m giving her a ride…” “Is she getting engaged too?” Lilith signed to Ryan. Before Ryan could answer, Abigail nodded and glanced at Ryan as she spoke. “Yes, I’m getting engaged too…” As soon as the words left her mouth, Ryan’s expression became strangely uncomfortable. He pretended to casually check his watch, then said to Lilith, “It’s getting late, we should hurry to see the wedding dresses.” Then, as if remembering something, he pointed at Abigail. Ryan carefully signed to Lilith, “Abigail gets carsick. Is it okay if she sits here for now?” Lilith remembered Ryan once saying that only she was worthy of sitting in his passenger seat, and he had ruthlessly turned away anyone else who tried. Apparently, she was no longer his only exception. Lilith nodded indifferently and climbed into the back seat. After the car started, the two in front, believing Lilith couldn’t hear, chatted and laughed freely. “Ryan, the couple’s menu at Moonlight Restaurant yesterday was delicious, though it’s a bit far. Next time I want to have a candlelit dinner with you.” Abigail smiled brightly, glancing at Lilith through the rearview mirror—a silent challenge. “I’ll take you anywhere you like, no matter how far,” Ryan replied with a faint smile, gripping the steering wheel. “I knew you cared for me the most!” Abigail’s eyes sparkled with spoiled delight, like a pampered little girl. In the past, Lilith would have innocently assumed they were just making small talk, thinking nothing more of it. But now, with her hearing restored, she heard everything crystal clear. The two were shamelessly chatting in front of her, believing she had no idea. Every word they spoke cut through her heart like a blade. Especially when Abigail mentioned Moonlight Restaurant, a trendy couples’ restaurant. Two weeks ago, Lilith had mentioned wanting to go there, but Ryan said he was too busy and would take her another day. He never brought it up again after that. He had no time for Lilith, yet he made time for his childhood friend. No wonder the man who once insisted on eating three meals a day with her had recently been claiming he was tied up with clients. Apparently, the “client” keeping him busy was someone else entirely. Wind blew in through the car window, and Lilith found it irritating. An hour later, the car stopped at the bridal shop. Inside, the staff lined up to display one hundred of the latest high-end wedding dresses. Ryan’s gaze was tender and doting as he signed to Lilith. “Which designer do you like? I’ll have them fly over to custom-make one for you. Lilith, I’ll make sure you have the most beautiful wedding dress in the world and become the most beautiful bride.” As he finished, the nearby staff members looked on enviously. “Ms. Harper is so fortunate. We’ve seen so many couples, but only Mr. Mitchell can identify Ms. Harper’s favorite styles and perfect measurements.” After seven years together, he did know everything about Lilith inside and out. Whether it was her clothing size or the dates of her period, he remembered them more clearly than she did herself. But only she knew that this relationship, which appeared perfect to outsiders, was completely rotten beneath the surface. Showing little interest, Lilith casually pointed to a mermaid-style wedding dress and walked into the fitting room. She stared at herself in the mirror. Since her adoptive parents passed away, her greatest wish had been to build a happy family with him. Once, she had dreamed of wearing a pure white sacred wedding dress to marry Ryan. Now, she felt nothing but bitter disappointment and heartache. Just as she was about to leave, she heard their voices from outside. “Ryan, you tore my lingerie last time, so I bought a new one in your favorite color—black lace. Come to my place tonight at eight.” Abigail’s voice was seductively sweet as she placed her hand on his chest. “Lilith is still in there, don’t mess around.” “What are you afraid of? The staff went to get coffee, and Lilith can’t hear. Or are you saying you don’t want it? Hmm?” Abigail’s final syllable was drawn out and alluring. Ryan chuckled softly and kissed her. “You’re such a temptress, but I still prefer how you look with nothing on.” “You’re so bad.” Their flirtatious laughter drifted in from outside. Realizing they had been flirting right under her nose countless times while she remained oblivious like a fool, Lilith felt nauseated and couldn’t stay any longer. She quickly changed out of the wedding dress. When she emerged, her expression was grim. Ryan immediately stood up, looking concerned and worried. He approached her and signed, “Lilith, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Is it your stomach acting up again? I’ll take you home.”
With that, he picked her up and carried her out, ignoring Abigail calling his name behind them. Back at their villa, Ryan busied himself finding medicine for her and preparing herbal medicine coffee. Lilith watched him rushing back and forth, her heart filled with mixed emotions. He had once been a spoiled young master, accustomed to having everything done for him—expecting food to be served and clothes to be laid out, never doing anything himself. After being with her, he washed clothes, cooked meals, and handled all household chores, becoming a full-time house husband. When she lost her hearing, he even learned sign language just to communicate with her. Whenever friends teased him about being a “wife’s slave,” he didn’t mind; instead, he took great pride in it. He said taking care of and loving his woman brought him immense satisfaction. After Lilith developed stomach problems, he meticulously researched various stomach-friendly meals. Not trusting the housekeeper, he personally prepared all three meals, determined to nurse her back to health. He had once loved her to the bone. Yet now he was cheating on her. Thinking about this, Lilith felt a sharp pain in her heart. His love had truly changed in an instant. After drinking the herbal medicine coffee, she slept for a while, waking up close to eight o’clock. Ryan had been watching over her the entire time, ready to respond immediately if she felt unwell. Seeing her awake, he promptly brought her a glass of water, tenderly helping her drink it. Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang. “Abigail, don’t worry, I’m about to leave. Be good, wash up and wait for me.” He answered the call with his back to her, his voice filled with pleasure. Lilith looked at him, her heart aching. She couldn’t bear to think how many times he had shown her care one moment, only to casually flirt with his childhood sweetheart the next, right in front of her. She wondered, “Who is more important to Ryan?” In that moment, Lilith desperately wanted to know his answer. So she tugged at his sleeve and asked, “Ryan, will you stay with me tonight?” Ryan smiled affectionately, stroked her hair, and signed: “Baby, be good. My company has important matters, and clients really need me. I’ll come back to you as soon as I’m done. Text me if you need anything.” Then he put on his clothes and left. Lilith’s heart instantly turned cold. In the past, at just one word from her, he would drop billion-dollar business deals without hesitation, just to be with her. But now he could abandon her without a second thought for another woman. Fine. Then she didn’t want him either. Lilith found the phone number of her biological parents, whom she hadn’t contacted in a long time, and called them. After the call, Lilith browsed information about Australia on her phone, familiarizing herself with her future home. Just then, Ryan’s call unexpectedly came through. She was very surprised; since she lost her hearing, Ryan had never called her, worried it would upset her. She answered in confusion, only to hear passionate moaning that made her blush. “Ryan, who makes you feel better, me or Lilith?” Abigail’s seductive voice came through. “You, of course,” Ryan replied without hesitation, his breathing heavy. “I knew you liked me more. After all, you said she’s boring in bed. Ryan, only we are the perfect match. Only I can give you the most pleasure.” “Yes. You adorable little troublemaker. Why do you keep mentioning her today? Wait… did you call Lilith?” Ryan’s voice suddenly rose, with hints of tension and anger. “She can’t hear anyway. Isn’t this more exciting?” The call abruptly ended. Lilith gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white. Though wrapped in blankets, her body felt colder than ever before. She found it utterly ridiculous that her injury had become part of their illicit excitement. When Ryan returned the next morning, he tried to give Lilith his usual good morning kiss. She subtly avoided it, nauseated at the thought of his lips having kissed another woman the night before. Ryan paused, about to ask what was wrong. Lilith wrinkled her nose and said, “You haven’t changed your clothes. You smell.” The mixed scent of intimacy and strong perfume made her stomach turn. He seemed to understand, smiling as he signed: “I talked with clients too late last night and fell asleep in the office. I accidentally called you.” He was lying about last night. Lilith didn’t care anymore. She was leaving anyway and couldn’t be bothered to expose him. At the breakfast table, he had bought mini lobster pies, once Lilith’s favorite. But she had no appetite for them. That shop was in the opposite direction from his company, but close to Abigail’s home. Just that morning, Lilith had seen Abigail’s Instagram post. Abigail had shared photos of mini lobster pies from that shop with the caption: [He says he’s willing to wait in line for two hours as long as I like it!] Ryan had quickly liked her post. Many people commented asking if it was her boyfriend, and she responded with a coy emoji. One photo showed a man feeding her, and though his face wasn’t visible, his slender fingers had a crescent-shaped scar. It matched Ryan’s exactly. That scar had formed when he was learning to cook for Lilith and accidentally burned himself. “Don’t you want to eat? What would you like for breakfast? I’ll make it right away. Have some milk first, it’s good for your stomach.” Seeing her lack of appetite, Ryan thoughtfully went to warm some milk for her. “I’m not hungry. Don’t bother. I need to go to my studio.” Lilith flatly refused and took a taxi to her workspace. She had loved painting since childhood and opened her own studio after graduation. At noon, after finishing her last painting and thinking about her imminent departure, she decided to sell the studio. She found a previous real estate agent on her phone and sent a voice message. “Hello, I need to transfer my shop to someone else, preferably within this month.” Just as she finished speaking, Ryan appeared at the door, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Transfer? Why are you transferring it?” Ryan realized Lilith couldn’t hear him, so he asked again using sign language. Lilith replied nonchalantly, “I’m planning to move somewhere else, so I’m selling this place.” Ryan’s expression relaxed, and he resumed his usual doting smile. “You should have changed it sooner. With your talent, you deserve a bigger place. Just focus on your art, and I’ll help you find the largest and best studio in San Francisco. Don’t worry about these little things.” Lilith didn’t respond. She was indeed planning to move, but not to stay in San Francisco—she was going abroad. “Why are you here?” she asked. Since Abigail’s return, he hadn’t visited her studio once. “Didn’t you mention wanting to try that couples’ restaurant? I happened to have some free time at lunch, so I came to take you there.” His face was full of tenderness as he reached for Lilith’s hand. She discreetly pulled away while organizing her art supplies. She initially wanted to refuse, but feeling hungry, she nodded in agreement. As soon as they sat down at the restaurant, a server eagerly approached and politely asked, “Mr. Mitchell, will you and your girlfriend be having the couple’s steak special again today? We just received the freshest cuts by air freight.” Ryan’s hand froze, and a flash of guilt crossed his face as he instinctively glanced at Lilith. She was still looking down at the menu, seemingly unaware. Only then did Ryan respond, smoothly ordering several dishes, all specifically chosen as Lilith’s favorites. He even made sure to request the steak be cooked medium-well, just as Lilith preferred. The server’s familiarity with him made Lilith realize that Ryan had probably been here with Abigail more than once. While waiting for their food, she didn’t feel like talking to him, so she excused herself to the restroom. When she returned, a server was presenting a bottle of wine, saying, “Mr. Mitchell, to celebrate you and your girlfriend dining with us for the 99th time, our restaurant would like to offer you this complimentary bottle of wine. We wish you both an enjoyable meal.” Ryan’s gaze moved past the server to Lilith’s expressionless face. Though he knew she couldn’t hear, Ryan still felt instinctively panicked. Maintaining his composure, he waved the server away. Lilith sat down and glanced at the wine before deliberately asking, “I don’t like red wine, and you can’t drink while driving. Why order this?” Ryan forced a smile and signed, “I didn’t order it. The restaurant gave it to us.” Lilith responded with a cold “Oh” and said nothing more. So all those days he claimed to be with clients, he was actually dining with Abigail. When the food arrived, Ryan cut the steak into small, manageable pieces for her, thoughtfully placed them in front of her, helped serve her other dishes, and repeatedly asked if everything was to her taste. He was clearly anxious about her enjoying the meal. Lilith only responded perfunctorily. Ryan watched the woman across from him cautiously. In the past, she would photograph everything she ate and take selfies with him to post on Instagram. But this time, she did none of that. She just ate with an indifferent expression, filling him with an inexplicable unease. “Is the food not good here?” he signed. She shook her head. “It’s fine.” The food was actually quite good, but Ryan had ruined her appetite. After quickly finishing her meal, Lilith said she needed to go home. In the car, she gazed out the window, bored with the passing scenery. Ryan’s phone rang. He glanced at it and quickly hung up. But the caller persisted, calling again and again. After rejecting the call three or four times, he finally answered. Abigail’s flirtatious voice filled the car. “Ryan, I’m at your office. Come find me.” Though he thought Lilith couldn’t hear, Ryan still lowered his voice. “What are you doing in my office?” “We’ve tried the bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room, and car. Didn’t you say you wanted to try the office too? I’m here to fulfill your wish. I’m wearing that professional outfit with your favorite lingerie underneath. You have thirty minutes to get here, or I won’t wait. I might just find someone else!” Her voice was seductive and alluring, enough to make anyone weak in the knees. Ryan’s expression shifted slightly, his eyes darkening. He seemed to recall something, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “You wouldn’t dare! You little minx. You’re my woman. Wait for me—I’m coming back to teach you a lesson.” In their years together, he had always been gentle with Lilith in intimate matters, always considerate of her feelings. She never knew he was someone who craved such excitement. Ryan quickly ended the call, pulled over to the side of the road, and gestured to Lilith. “I’m sorry, baby. There’s an emergency at the office. I need to go back immediately. Would you mind taking a cab from here?” He looked apologetic, completely oblivious to Lilith’s clenched fists. This was a remote area where taxis were hard to find, yet he was willing to abandon her here for another woman. She stared at him calmly and said slowly, “Actually, I have something to do near your office. Let’s go together.” Ryan froze for a moment, a flash of panic crossing his eyes, but he continued driving. When they reached his office building, she added, “It’s been a while since I visited your office. I’d like to see it today.” Ryan’s face changed instantly, his gestures becoming frantic. “I’ll be very busy. I’m afraid I won’t have time to show you around. Let me take you another day when I can properly accompany you.” She smiled back, “I’ll just look around on my own. You can focus on your work.” Ryan couldn’t find a reason to refuse and had to accompany her to the office. The entire way, his face betrayed his anxiety, his gaze shifting nervously. Lilith followed him to his office. As soon as the door opened, a petite figure rushed toward him. “Ryan, I’ve been waiting so long! I missed you!” Ryan abruptly pushed the woman away, his face turning pale. Abigail was about to playfully scold him when she noticed Lilith standing nearby. A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes as she pouted, “Ryan, why did you bring her? I was all ready for you. What a mood killer!” “Be quiet. Let me get rid of her first. Be good and don’t cause trouble. I’ll reward you later.” Lilith turned to Ryan with a composed expression. “What are you saying to her?” Ryan quickly signed to her, explaining, “She was just passing by and wanted to see me since it’s been a while. Darling, you know she’s been abroad and is naturally affectionate. Don’t take that hug to heart.” Lilith was well aware of Abigail’s enthusiasm toward Ryan. When Lilith had accompanied Ryan to pick up Abigail at the airport, she had hugged and kissed him. They claimed it was just customary. Though she felt uncomfortable, she didn’t make a big deal of it. Until later gatherings, when Abigail’s physical contact with Ryan clearly crossed the boundaries of friendship. She would drink from his glass, eat from his plate, and frequently touch his hands and legs, constantly leaning against him. Back then, Ryan always maintained a proper distance from her with principled restraint, showing good judgment. So she never questioned their relationship. Little did she know they had been sleeping together behind her back. Lilith’s expression remained neutral as she nodded. “I’ll head back now.” Ryan eagerly escorted her downstairs and called a car for her. As soon as she got in, Lilith clearly saw him rushing back into the company building through the rearview mirror. She couldn’t help but give a mocking smile. She thought, “They really can’t wait.” Back at the villa, Lilith went to the studio on the first floor. The studio was filled with paintings of Ryan. During their passionate early days, he had been Lilith’s exclusive model, and she loved painting him. Each painting was infused with the deep affection she felt at the time. The largest one in the center was a portrait of them together. Back then, they were young, leaning against each other, with eyes only for each other. Now, she was no longer the only one in his eyes. Like sand slipping through fingers, he had changed, and she decided it was time to discard him. She decisively carried Ryan’s paintings to the garden and threw them directly into the fire pit. The crimson flames quickly devoured each sheet of paper, burning away her former feelings for Ryan. Finally, she threw in their portrait together. “Lilith, what are you doing?” Ryan had returned without her noticing and saw her burning their paintings. Without thinking, he rushed forward, risking danger to rescue the portrait from the fire. But no matter how fast he moved, he couldn’t outpace the flames. Only his half of the portrait remained. She looked at him coolly and said, “These paintings were deteriorating, so I decided to burn them.” Just like him—he had deteriorated. And she no longer wanted him. Ryan, enduring the pain from his reddened burned hand, gestured: “You still shouldn’t burn them. Didn’t you say this was your favorite painting?” Lilith’s eyes flickered slightly. It once was, but now it was just the most irritating painting. She remained silent, just staring at him. Lilith couldn’t understand what he cared about. He was already involved with another woman. Were these paintings really worth getting burned for? Ryan probably thought she was going to get angry, so his expression softened, becoming serious. “Please don’t do this again, okay? These paintings represent your love for me. It breaks my heart to see you throw them away.” His face showed undisguised sadness, with a hint of panic in his heart. Lilith nodded indifferently. There wouldn’t be a next time. She would paint new paintings, but they would have nothing to do with this man from her past. When Lilith woke up in the morning, Ryan brought her a dazzling red dress. “Sweetheart, my company has an anniversary celebration tonight. Try on this gown I specially commissioned from a foreign designer for you.” She remembered there was indeed such an event, but felt little enthusiasm for it. Just as she was about to decline, Ryan’s phone rang, giving her no chance to speak. He gestured to her while answering the call. “There’s an emergency at the company. I’ll come back to pick you up tonight.” With that, he hurried out the door. When Ryan returned to the villa to pick her up, he had already changed into a suit. Looking at Lilith in the dress, his eyes filled with amazement and delight. “Honey, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. Look, I deliberately chose a red tie today to match your dress—like a coordinated couple’s look.” He gave Lilith a pleasing look. But she only glanced at him briefly, saying nothing. At the banquet hall, not wanting to accompany Ryan as he mingled, she used the excuse of getting food to retreat to a corner. Abigail approached her with several girlfriends in tow. Tonight, Abigail wore a golden spaghetti-strap gown with a cinched waist, featuring large cutouts in both front and back that showcased her impressive chest and smooth back—sexy and alluring. She had attracted countless stares along the way. When Abigail saw her, she merely gave a cold, sidelong glance without greeting her. “Abigail, why are you dressed so provocatively today? So many men are staring at you. Aren’t you afraid your man will get jealous?” one of her friends asked with a smirk. “Ryan spent the whole day helping me choose this dress. He insisted I wear this one, saying it would be convenient to take off tonight and that it makes him desire me.” Abigail curved her lips smugly, deliberately glancing toward Lilith. “I told you Ryan still likes you best and only pities that deaf woman. You should secure him soon and drive that bitch away.” “I’ll definitely win Ryan over. It’s just a matter of time.” Her friend covered her mouth with an exaggerated, artificial laugh while raising an eyebrow at Lilith. “That deaf woman is so stupid. We’re talking about her right to her face and she can’t hear a thing. She’s probably still dreaming about marrying into wealth.” Everyone in the group displayed mocking smiles. Ryan, having found a moment to break away, came over and pulled Lilith along to greet his friends. One of his buddies teased with a mischievous grin, “Ryan, you lucky man. Look at Abigail’s curvy figure—if she were mine, I wouldn’t let others see her like this.” “We can only look, but Ryan gets to look and taste.” The group erupted in laughter. Abigail feigned shyness, casting seductive glances at Ryan. Everyone exchanged knowing looks, their eyes darting between the two. Lilith had thought they were having a secret affair, but apparently everyone around them knew. She was the only one kept in the dark, made a fool of. Indeed, if she hadn’t recovered her hearing, who knows how long they would have continued deceiving her. In fact, she might not have discovered her partner’s infidelity even after they were married! Beneath her calm exterior, her heart turned cold. Ryan maintained his composed expression, as if they weren’t talking about him. But when he spoke, his voice carried an unmistakable heaviness. “I told you not to talk about this in front of Lilith. If she finds out, I’ll make you all regret it.” His cold gaze swept over the group discreetly. They reluctantly fell silent. Abigail, however, couldn’t hide her dissatisfaction and said in a sickeningly sweet voice, “Ryan, you’re being too cautious. What’s there to worry about? She’s just a deaf woman. She can’t hear us.” As soon as she finished speaking, everyone’s expressions changed. Everyone knew Ryan hated people mocking his girlfriend for being deaf. Anyone who said such things would face his violent rage and even have their business sabotaged, leading to bankruptcy. Years ago, his best friend made one such comment while drunk, and Ryan beat him so severely he was bedridden for a month and ended their decades-long friendship. This had become taboo in their social circle. Now, everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Some tried to intervene but were held back by others. Lilith also waited to see how he would react. Would he defend her unconditionally as he had done before? After hearing those words, Ryan’s smile vanished, his eyes darkening. After a long pause, he finally said slowly, “Don’t say things like that again.” He didn’t lose his temper or get physical. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Abigail was secretly delighted, convinced that Ryan cared for her and was merely infatuated with an orphan girl. She believed that given time, she could replace Lilith. They were from similar backgrounds, and Abigail couldn’t believe she was inferior to Lilith. So Abigail backed down gracefully, saying softly, “Alright, whatever you say.” The atmosphere became lively again. Lilith held her wine glass, silently watching this farce unfold. Abigail clearly had a place in his heart. Ryan still wanted to hide it from her, unwilling to expose this affair. Lilith wondered, “What expression would he have if he found out I’ve regained my hearing? Would he remain as calm and composed as he is now?” Lilith suddenly became curious. The gala reached the speech segment. Ryan delivered an impassioned address on stage, and finally invited Lilith to join him. In front of thousands of guests, he began to profess his love to her, accompanying his words with gestures. “Lilith is the only woman I’ve ever loved and will ever love. She means more to me than my own life—without her, my existence would be meaningless. I promise here and now to cherish her forever.” Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, with everyone envying Lilith. Yet Lilith felt nothing stir within her heart. She was only wondering how Ryan managed to speak so tenderly while lying through his teeth. If she hadn’t known the truth, she too might have believed herself to be the happiest person in everyone’s eyes. Ryan’s gaze was intense, his eyes filled with affection so deep it seemed impossible to dissolve. He had expected the woman before him to either break into a delighted smile or be moved to tears. In the past, whenever he made such heartfelt declarations at these events, she would always lose control of her emotions, playfully scolding him for making her cry and ruin her makeup. But this time, Lilith merely gave a faint twitch of her lips that resembled a smile. Yet Ryan sensed an inexplicable coldness in her eyes. As the earlier incident flashed through his mind, he felt an unexplained sense of unease. After the banquet, Lilith asked if he wanted to go home together. He smiled, about to agree. Suddenly, his gaze lingered somewhere for a moment, then he gestured with his hands. “I’m sorry, I need to entertain some clients tonight. You go ahead—don’t wait up for me.” Lilith nodded indifferently and turned to get into the car. Ryan grabbed her arm, his expression serious. “Once this busy period is over, after the wedding, I promise to make it up to you. I’ll spend all my time with you.” She smiled dismissively, giving him a meaningful look before closing the car door. In the rearview mirror, she watched Ryan get into a red sports car. The license plate looked familiar—she had recently seen it on Abigail’s Instagram. Sure enough, that night Abigail updated her Instagram. She posted bedroom photos with Ryan, still not showing his face. But Lilith immediately recognized who that bare-chested man was. Their bodies were covered with intimate red marks. Abigail captioned it: [Someone couldn’t stop all night long, such incredible stamina. He says he only feels insatiable with me.] She added a shy emoji. Lilith had expected her heart to ache. But in this moment, she felt surprisingly calm—perhaps this was what it felt like to finally let go. The next morning, coming downstairs, she found Ryan and Abigail chatting in the living room. Seeing her approach, he carefully explained to Lilith, “Abigail’s place is being renovated, and she’d like to stay with us temporarily. Is that okay? If you’re uncomfortable with it, I’ll find another solution.” He looked at her with both hope and anxiety. Lilith glanced at the several suitcases nearby. Abigail had clearly already decided to move in. If she refused, she’d likely be labeled difficult. Besides, it was his house—he could invite whoever he wanted to stay. She would be leaving soon anyway. “Whatever,” she replied flatly. Ryan’s expression relaxed. He knew Lilith was always reasonable, but for some reason, her indifferent attitude made him vaguely uneasy. But he didn’t dwell on it. He immediately helped Abigail carry her luggage upstairs. Abigail followed behind him, looking delighted. “Ryan, I can finally live with you. It’ll be so much more convenient for us now.” “That’s enough. Don’t say these things in front of Lilith.” “What are you afraid of? She can’t hear us.” Abigail deliberately looked back at Lilith, her eyes filled with challenge and triumph. Lilith met her gaze, calm as still water. In the middle of the night, Lilith woke up to find herself alone in bed. Feeling thirsty, she got up to get some water from the kitchen. As she reached the doorway, she suddenly heard strange noises coming from the next room. She stepped out and noticed that Abigail’s door wasn’t fully closed, with faint light seeping through the gap. “Keep it down, you little minx,” came Ryan’s husky voice, accompanied by deep, heavy breathing. “You said she sleeps like a rock and won’t hear us anyway. Besides, don’t you love it when I’m vocal? It drives you wild every time,” Abigail replied in a coquettish tone. “Darling, don’t you find this especially thrilling? She’s right next door while we’re in here. You clearly enjoy it too—your reactions are getting more intense. Your body doesn’t lie,” she giggled softly, her voice filled with certainty. “You’ll be the death of me!” Ryan groaned, his face flushed with desire as he gripped her slender waist tightly, not denying her words. The next moment, intense sounds of passion filled the room, accompanied by the woman’s increasingly fervent cries. Lilith stopped the recording on her phone, turned around expressionlessly, and went back to her room. Ryan didn’t return all night. The next morning when she went downstairs, Ryan had already prepared breakfast. On the table, besides the stomach-friendly meal specially prepared for her, there was also oatmeal—something she had never enjoyed eating. Lilith quickly realized it was made for someone else. Ryan had once said he would only cook for her in this lifetime. Now all his special treatment was being shared with someone else. She suddenly felt incredibly cheap. Soon after, Abigail came down for breakfast as expected. With a rosy complexion, she took a sip of coffee and complained coyly, “Ryan, you wore me out last night. My back and waist are so sore I can barely walk.” Ryan’s expression remained neutral as he replied, “You’re being dramatic. You seemed to enjoy yourself plenty last night. You said you wanted oatmeal this morning, so I made it to help restore your energy. Don’t tell me tonight that you don’t want more.” Abigail’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I’ll want more in the future. Much more!” Ryan gave her a meaningful look without responding, then stood up to ladle some vegetable soup for Lilith. “I made vegetable soup especially for you this morning. I’ve tested the temperature—it’s just right.” “Eat more, it’s good for your stomach. You’ve lost weight recently. I haven’t been taking good care of you.” “Once I get through this busy period, I’ll spend more time with you.” He placed the soup in front of Lilith with tender care, looking every bit the perfect boyfriend. Lilith lowered her eyes. She would be leaving soon and didn’t need his companionship. The fragrant breakfast before her didn’t stir her appetite at all. She hastily drank a glass of milk. “I have something to do. I need to go,” Lilith said. “Lilith, please eat something. I’m worried about your stomach,” he said with concern, grabbing her hand. Lilith quickly pulled away and left without looking back. “No need. I don’t feel like eating.” Ryan stared at her retreating figure, unsettled by her cold attitude. Lilith had never treated him this way before. She used to love the food he made. Ryan wondered what he had done wrong. Perhaps he hadn’t been spending enough time with her lately. She was probably just being moody. He thought, “It’s fine. She’s easy to please. Once this busy period is over, I’ll buy her some gifts to make her happy, and she’ll be back to her old self.” With this thought, Ryan felt relieved. Lilith did have somewhere to be—she was going to the studio to sign the transfer contract. The signing process went smoothly. The agent smiled and asked, “Ms. Harper, where are you planning to move? We have the most comprehensive property listings in San Francisco, guaranteed to satisfy you.” She politely shook her head. “I’m leaving San Francisco.” With just a few days left before her departure, she arranged to meet her best friend, Audrey Henderson, for dinner. Lilith told her about her hearing recovery and her plans to leave the country. Audrey was both surprised and happy for her, though she felt Ryan’s behavior was inexcusable. “Lily, as long as you’re happy, I’ll always support you.” Lilith felt deeply touched. The two spent the entire day together. When Lilith returned to the villa that evening, Ryan was sitting on the sofa with a somewhat gloomy expression. He was holding a courier package. “Lilith, what’s this?” Lilith looked closely and saw it was her passport from the visa office. She calmly walked over and took it from his hand, saying casually, “It belongs to my friend. She’s on a business trip and asked me to receive it for her.” The doubt in Ryan’s eyes immediately vanished. He stepped forward and hugged her. “Baby, you almost scared me to death. You can’t leave me, or I’d die from the pain.” He made a dramatic gesture, half-joking and half-serious. “By the way, I need to go on a business trip for a week tomorrow. Will you be okay at home by yourself? I’ll be back the day before our wedding.” Ryan looked at her somewhat anxiously, afraid she might object. Lilith stared quietly into his deep eyes and said flatly, “Maybe we shouldn’t have the wedding.” Ryan immediately became agitated. “No way! Lilith, what’s wrong? Don’t you want to get married? Or are you worried I won’t make it back in time? Don’t worry, I promise I will.” Concern and fear rose in his eyes as he gripped her arms tightly. Lilith pushed his hands away and replied perfunctorily, “Hmm, I believe you’ll make it back.” Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. “Darling, wait for me. I’ll have a surprise for you when I return.” Lilith’s face remained expressionless. She thought, “Ryan, I stopped waiting for you long ago. In a week, you’ll be the only one at the wedding. There is no ‘us’ anymore.” In the morning, Ryan and Lilith said goodbye reluctantly. Shortly after he left, Lilith planned to go to her room to pack her luggage. As she passed by the guest bedroom, Abigail stopped her. Assuming Lilith couldn’t hear, Abigail said, “Lilith, do you know your fiancé fell in love with me long ago? We’ve done it many times. Has he ever done that with you?” Lilith looked at her calmly, pretending she couldn’t hear. Convinced that Lilith was deaf, Abigail continued her provocation: “A disabled person like you doesn’t deserve Ryan! Only I am worthy of him. Let me tell you honestly, Ryan and I are going to the Maldives for vacation. You think he loves you? That he’ll marry you? Stop dreaming! He enjoys being with me the most. The body’s response can’t be faked, and you’re nothing! He only accepted you out of pity because you’re deaf. An orphan from a humble background like you could never be good enough for him!” Abigail furiously unleashed her frustration on Lilith. Lilith laughed quietly to herself. No wonder Ryan suddenly said he had a business trip. In the past, he would avoid business trips whenever possible, and when he couldn’t, he would take her along. He used to say he couldn’t bear to be apart from her, that even one day without seeing her would drive him crazy. Now he could calmly lie to Lilith and take Abigail on vacation. “I can’t hear what you’re saying,” Lilith said with an indifferent smile, her expression calm. Abigail sneered, “You really are deaf! No matter how much I say, you can’t hear! I hope you stay deaf forever!” She spat out these words viciously and stormed downstairs with her suitcase without looking back. During that week, Ryan sent Lilith messages every day, expressing his love and longing for her, saying he couldn’t wait to finish work and fly back to her side. Meanwhile, Abigail frequently updated her Instagram with photos of her vacation with Ryan. She even provocatively sent the photos directly to Lilith. There were photos of them kissing on the beach, mirror selfies in the bathroom, and pictures of Ryan sleeping shirtless. There were even images of wet sheets and torn underwear. Every night, Abigail deliberately disgusted Lilith by describing the intimate details of their bedroom activities. Lilith didn’t look at any of Abigail’s messages. She spent her days packing her belongings. She meticulously removed every trace of her existence from the house, as if she had never been there. On the day she left for the airport, she left behind a box as a final special gift for Ryan. What expression would he have when he saw this gift upon his return? Whatever his reaction might be, it was no longer her concern. They were worlds apart from this moment, and this was their final goodbye.
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