Chapter 2

I was completely bewildered as the couple guided me back into the living room.

Following right behind them was Mr. Evans, my instructor from the deaf academy.

He signed quickly, explaining the situation:

[When you went to the city hospital for your checkup last month, this couple saw you in the hallway. They thought you looked familiar and requested a DNA test. The lab confirmed you're their biological daughter.]

[That silver baby locket around your neck—it's engraved with your family crest, isn't it?]

Trembling, I pulled the tarnished silver locket from beneath my collar.

Seeing it, the couple held me again, weeping uncontrollably.

Tears streamed down my face as I looked toward the framed portrait of Grandma Nora on the wall.

[Grandma, I found my parents.]

In the picture, she smiled as warmly as ever, as if she had known this day would come all along.

My parents insisted on taking me back to the city right then and there, but I stepped back and signed a refusal.

Cole was here. I couldn't bring myself to leave him.

Even if he lied to me, even if his heart belonged to someone else, I still clung to the shreds of our past.

Seeing my hesitation, Mr. Evans couldn't stay silent any longer.

"Don't be a fool, Daisy! Cole filed a divorce petition with the factory HR office days ago. The entire neighborhood knows he's throwing you away!"

"Go with your parents, Daisy. Stop suffering for a man who treats you like trash."

I froze. A deafening roar filled my ears.

It took me a long time to lift my hands, my fingers shaking violently:

[If Cole truly doesn't want me in three days... I'll leave with you.]

Seeing how stubborn I was, Mr. Evans let out a heavy sigh and shook his head, pressing no further.

Having no other choice, my parents reluctantly agreed.

Before leaving, my mother stuffed a thick roll of hundred-dollar bills into my hands, whispering through tears that I should take care of myself and eat well.

It was well past midnight when Cole finally came home.

He dropped onto the bed beside me without sparing me a single glance.

In my pocket, I clutched the positive pregnancy test from the city clinic.

Moonlight spilled through the bedroom window, casting cold silver beams across the sheets.

I sat up and signed to him:

[Cole, I'm pregnant.]

[Can you stay? Don't leave in three days. Let's build a real life together. I've learned how to read lips now—I won't ever be a burden to you.]

Silence stretched across the room.

When I looked down, I realized Cole had rolled over the moment my hands started moving.

He was already sound asleep.

I reached out and shook his shoulder gently.

He violently slapped my hand away, muttering in irritation about how annoying I was.

The back of my hand stung, a bright red mark blooming on my pale skin.

I pulled my hand back, curled into a ball, and clutched the medical report against my chest, weeping silently until the sun came up.

The next morning, Cole pulled a legal document from his leather bag and shoved it in front of me.

My reading level was limited, so I leaned in to read the clauses carefully.

Cole immediately jammed a pen into my hand, flipped to the final page, and pointed at the signature line.

"Hurry up and sign! I'm going to be late for my shift!"

Catching the bold header that read "Divorce Decree," I looked up at him:

[What is this?]

Seeing me hesitate, Cole grew impatient. He gave me a rough nudge, his hands signing rapidly:

[Daisy, trust me. I would never deceive you! I love you!]

I signed my name.

Cole grinned with satisfaction, folded the paper, and tucked it securely into his inner coat pocket. He turned and grabbed his bicycle by the gate.

I caught the handlebars and signed:

[Wait for me to get my bag. The textile mill is too far away to walk.]

Cole roughly shoved me aside, glaring at me with utter contempt.

His lips moved:

"Get lost. I already promised Susie I'd ride her to school."

He knew I couldn't hear him, and he didn't even bother to sign.

I grabbed my shoulder bag and ran out into the street.

All I saw was Cole stopping down the road. Susie hopped onto the rear rack, her arms wrapping around his waist as they rode away, laughing together.

I tried to run after them.

The wheels spun faster and faster. My foot caught on an uneven cobblestone, and I crashed violently onto the gravel road, a muffled cry tearing from my throat.

On the bicycle, Cole looked back over his shoulder.

He didn't stop. He didn't even slow down. He just pedaled harder. Susie pressed her cheek against his back, whispering something in his ear, and both of them burst into mocking laughter at my pathetic state.

I stayed on the dirt, pressing my trembling palms against the ground as I dragged myself up.

My knees were shredded, and my palms were bleeding.

Yet I didn't shed a single tear.

Cole, I'm done loving you.