Chapter 2

The stinging scent of smoke still lingered in my nose, and my throat burned.

But as my vision cleared, I didn’t see the ceiling of the rehabilitation clinic. Instead, I was looking directly into Julian’s deeply affectionate eyes.

He was wearing a tailored white suit, kneeling on one knee, holding a sparkling diamond ring.

I looked around at the cheering crowd of friends and family, and then at the birthday cake on the table.

I realized, with a jolt, that I had traveled back in time.

Back to the exact moment he proposed.

Julian took my hand, his fingers warm, and slowly traced the words onto my palm:

"Iris, marry me. Let me be your ears forever. Let me take care of you."

The sensation on my skin was so warm it made my heart ache.

In my past life, I had replayed this moment a thousand times in my head. On those cold, lonely nights when he ignored me, I used the memory of this warmth to keep myself going.

But now, that same touch felt like boiling oil, scorching my skin.

A flash of confusion crossed Julian’s eyes. Seeing that I wasn’t reacting the way he expected, he grew anxious.

He leaned closer, exaggerating his lip movements so I could read them, and silently mouthed, "Iris, I love you."

I understood him perfectly.

The room fell silent. Everyone was waiting for my answer.

"Forever?" What a joke. Five years was all it took for everything to fall apart.

In my past life, I had nodded frantically, throwing myself into his arms with tears streaming down my face.

Only to end up in a years-long nightmare.

A nightmare that ended with his averted eyes and his cruel admission of fear.

I looked into his eyes. Once, they were filled with genuine pain and guilt for what had happened to me. Now, I could see right through the carefully masked devotion.

That was it. Right now, his guilt far outweighed his love.

That guilt had crushed him, and ultimately, it had killed me.

I didn’t say a word. I just slowly, deliberately, pulled my hand away.

The smile on Julian’s face froze. A collective gasp and a wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.

"Iris?" He mouthed my name, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.

I shook my head. I pointed to my ears, then to my heart. Then, I forced myself to speak.

"I’m sorry, Julian."

"But I can hear you."

This was the first time I had spoken in front of so many people since I lost my hearing.

I hadn’t spoken in years. Because I couldn’t hear my own voice, I couldn't control my volume, and I was terrified of being laughed at.

Julian had always told me that as long as he was around, I didn't need to struggle to speak. He promised to be my voice.

But now, I didn't want him to be.

The room became dead silent.

Everyone knew I was deaf. For a deaf girl to suddenly say she could "hear" sounded like a bad joke.

But Julian understood what I meant. The color drained from his face.

"I can hear the voice in my heart," I said, my words slow, quiet, but incredibly clear. "It says I shouldn't chain you to me out of guilt."

"Let’s call this off."