Chapter 1

The year Ethan Blake won Best Music Artist, he invited me to the most important concert of his life.

But onstage, he was holding another girl’s hand.

Backstage, he sneered at me.

“Amelia Nash is the one person who truly understands me. Only she understands my music. Only she can move forward by my side.

“And you? What could you possibly do for me?”

The reason he mocked me like that was simple—

I was deaf.

In the fifth year of our secret relationship, Ethan Blake won Best Music Artist and became a household name.

He got wasted at the party celebrating his award and sent me a voice message.

I tapped the transcription button.

[The most important concert of my life is in a couple of days. I saved you a ticket.]

Even though it had been five years since the incident, he still sometimes forgot I was deaf now.

My heart sank a little as I typed back: [Okay.]

Ethan was an incredibly talented music producer.

Every song he produced became a hit, and artists were lining up to work with him.

I still remembered being by his side as he finished his first album.

The night he completed it, he was as excited as a little boy.

The album came out soon afterward and sold like crazy. That debut made his name, turning him into one of the hottest musicians of the year.

Over the years, even though I could no longer collaborate with Ethan, I had quietly supported him in my own way.

Now, thanks to his talent and good looks, he had countless fans. His concerts drew enormous crowds.

I was genuinely happy for him.

The television happened to be showing a clip from his latest interview.

During the interview, Ethan revealed that his second album would be called a.n.

He said the album was a gift for the love of his life, the woman who could stand beside him.

He had named it after her.

As I watched, the loneliness in my heart gave way to a sudden flutter of excitement.

Ethan stared straight into the camera, as though he were looking through the screen at someone.

After a long pause, he gave a soft laugh.

“You’ll get to meet her at the concert, too.”

“I hope you’ll give us your blessing.”

I arrived early and took the seat Ethan had reserved for me.

I couldn’t hear anything, but judging by the faces around me, the concert must have been incredible.

Eventually, Ethan finished another song, and the lights suddenly went out.

In the darkness, my heart pounded.

Would he invite me onstage?

Was he finally going to tell the world about me?

The darkness seemed to stretch on forever. Nervous, I closed my eyes.

When I opened them again, the sight before me left me stunned.

Ethan was holding another girl’s hand, leading her toward the front of the stage.

Her sweet smile pierced straight through me.

I had never seen Ethan look at me that way.

He held her hand tightly, his face warm and radiant.

Every step they took together felt like another cut.

My chest ached so badly that, for a long time, I could barely breathe.

My world was silent, yet my head buzzed.

Everyone around me was applauding. Some fans were even crying.

I could only watch Ethan’s lips move, but I understood the words.

The last thing he said to her was:

“I love you, Amelia.”