Chapter 2

My parents, who had somehow heard the news, rushed to the hospital.

Hope flickered within me. I stopped them, gesturing wildly in sign language, pleading with them to explain for me.

They could barely understand some simple signs.

My mother nodded gently, but my father simply pushed me aside, pulling my mother into the room.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, my mother hesitantly began, "Leo, he..."

Brandon, realizing what she was about to say, cut her off. "Mom, Leo just loves Aria too much. Don't blame him."

My eyes widened in disbelief. I grabbed Brandon, signing furiously: You're lying! You're lying!

He rubbed his wrist, clinging tightly to Aria, putting on a pitiful act. "I'm sorry, Leo. Don't be angry, I won't say any more."

I desperately signed towards my mother, my vision blurring: Tell her the truth! It's not like this!

My mother avoided my gaze.

A wave of helplessness washed over me. Not a single day in the three years I'd cared for Aria felt as desperate as this one.

My father's face darkened. "Didn't you force Brandon to step aside? You said Aria wouldn't know anyway."

If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I wouldn't have believed my own father could so shamelessly twist the truth. His words were like needles piercing my heart.

It was Brandon who had scorned Aria, deeming her a "lost cause" and refusing to marry her. That's when my parents had made me take his place.

Aria scoffed. "Leo, it's a good thing I woke up. Otherwise, I wouldn't have rested in peace even in death."

I bit down hard on my lip, the metallic taste of blood spreading in my mouth. So this was how pathetic I was in her eyes.

My mother pulled me out of the room, her face full of apologies. "Don't blame your father. We owe Brandon this."

Brandon's parents had died saving mine, so my parents took him in and treated him like their own son.

My parents felt indebted, so I had to give in to him on everything.

If I ever refused, Brandon would cry and say, "If only my mom and dad were here."

When I developed aphasia, a time when I desperately needed companionship, Brandon convinced my parents to take him on an international trip.

Three years ago, Brandon's mocking words still echoed in my ears: "A mute and a vegetable, how perfectly matched!"

My mother continued, "Now that Aria's awake, she's so proud, she'll divorce you eventually.

"Leaving a good impression now will only elevate Brandon's standing in her heart, won't it?"

Tears splattered on the ground. I pounded my chest, trying to relieve the pain gripping my heart.

But they owed Brandon's parents, why did I have to pay the price?

Aria moved quickly. She decided to divorce me in the morning and had the papers drawn up by the afternoon.

Afraid I would cause trouble, she hired several bodyguards to watch me as I signed.

I let out a bitter laugh and slowly wrote my name.

Aria had saved my life once, and I had protected her for three years. Now, we were even.