Under the clear starry skies, I had once asked Shawn not to bother about learning sign language. It was pretty late that night and we were seated under a tree's shade, a lush green lawn surrounding us. The golden-yellow glow of an electric lamp cast a hue on Shawn’s face as he practiced the signs, brows crumpled in maximum concentration.

“My love, you don't have to do this,” I had said, “Don’t worry about me, I will adjust to the new life— to everything.”

He had gifted me the most dashing smile with his eyes forming a crescent and his dimples becoming apparent. “No, Emma. I will adapt instead. I still take the blame for what happened to you.”

“It was a mistake!” I cut in.

“I know. But I cannot forgive myself. This is the least I can do to make it up to you.” He grabbed my hand. “The doctor said you will soon lose your auditory senses. Even the little you can hear now will become mere vibrations in a few weeks.”

“Shawn… stop.”

His lips caught mine and my consciousness blurred momentarily.

“You are the love of my life, Emma. Without you, I don't know what will be of me,” his soft baritone reminded me of what I would be missing when I finally went deaf and my eyes welled up with tears.

Shawn held my face. “Don't cry, baby.”

I burst into tears.

“Oh, my darling!” He kissed my forehead deeply. “When all is said and done, I want to still be able to communicate with you even without words. I would like to be the first person you’d talk to after the surgery.”

“I love you, Shawn.” I had collapsed into his arms. The most caring husband he was… or so I thought.

That night had lingered with me for many years. He never gave me a reason to doubt his words. Never been unkind to me. Shawn had been there for me all the way. His words that night became his bond. He lived it, giving me the impression that he was the best man I could ever have.

Even Matt whom I had saved during the accident couldn't care less. He never thought of learning sign language after he heard of my predicament. My parents never bothered to ask about my well-being after they were assured I would live. To them, I'd always be of less importance than Alice, the golden child.

Life had grown more silent, Shawn my only respite. My joy. My life. But now, a day after realising the truth, I sat in front of a mirror, staring at my image and realising that everything had changed.

Slowly wearing my diamond earrings, I admired my beauty which had been diminished by him over the years. Curly bourbon hair, blue eyes, spotless yellow skin with a cute birthmark— a dark spot just at the edge of my left brow.

“Emma?” His voice made my breath hitch. My neck muscles tightened as I smelled his musky scent. He came over to where I sat and planted a kiss on my neck.

“You smell like paradise, my baby.” He declared in sign language. However, my skin screamed to be torn off at his touch.

I just kept mute.

Adjusting his oxblood tie and the collar of his navy blue tuxedo, he heaved. “I might get in trouble for the way you are looking tonight, Emma. You look dashing! Nevertheless, bigger trouble awaits us if we're late. You know how your parents are.”

Our eyes clicked in the mirror and he smiled — that devilish grin. I knew why the bastard was excited—Alice. It was her birthday.

Although I remained calm, realizing it was this same Oscar-worthy acting skill of his that deceived me all the while he was dying for my sister broke me. Again.

He kissed me once more. “Oh, honey. We must go now. The banquet is about to begin.”

“Wait for me a moment, let me pick up my purse,” I responded, my throat burning with suppressed tears.

I stood up and hurried upstairs, each step heavier than the one before. The instant I reached the closet, I shut the doors and let the tears pour out silently, my shoulders trembling. My heart bled as I mourned my love and buried it six feet under.

As soon as I found some relief, I stood tall, fixed my makeup, and readjusted my trendy white lace gown. I didn't want Alice, my parents, or anyone looking down on me that night. I grabbed my handbag and gracefully made my way downstairs.

On my way downstairs, something caught my attention, a crack formed by the door and its post. It was Shawn’s study. I had not been there for ages. In fact, he had banned me from entering, claiming he needed his personal space sometimes. As the naive wife I was, I had agreed, blindly, believing the love of my life needed to find a way of separating work from home life.

Bull crap.

Personal space my foot!

I yielded to the temptation of slithering in, and immediately, my heart plummeted at the sight that greeted me. Framed photos of Alice were lined up on the walls with obsessive precision— from the time she was in middle school to the glory of her adulthood. All were there, to the tiniest detail— the naive smile of adolescence, proud gaze of achievement, happy moments, and wild instants.

The enclave was almost like a hunted chamber.

“My Gawd,” I muttered as I ambled closer to the central table. There I found countless letters scattered all over the surface. I picked one up and read it in a whisper.

“To my beloved Alice, my 100th letter...”

Every word dripped with utmost devotion and worship.

I swallowed hard.

What hurt the most was that there wasn't a single photo of me, or our wedding in the space. Not even a torn one.

Only Alice.

I dropped the letter when my eyes crashed upon a contract still in works — a proposal to transfer all the shares of Crystal Holdings to Alice.

“Fuck me. He wasn't bluffing.” I whimpered, my hands trembling.

Shawn was willing to hand over generations of his family's hard work to her. This hit me hard. So, those countless hours he spent in his study were all in worship of her and he never for once thought of me or put me in his plans for the future?

“Emma?” I heard Shawn’s voice echo from downstairs and quickly slithered out of the study, readjusting my composure and finding my smile.

We met at the stairs where he kissed my palm. “Shall we?”

I nodded.

And that was it. After a quiet twenty-five-minute drive, we found ourselves in the banquet hall with my heart boiling. At the manor, I was just a shadow of myself even though no one asked or noticed. They barely notice me these days anyway.

The only relief I found was the pleasant sound of soft music. I had missed that. It calmed me, at least until Alice appeared.

Clad in a crimson red flowing gown, she quickly became the center of attention. Birthday girl. All glammed up and glistening like a pearl. Her curves were out of this world, and her makeup exquisite. She was a princess, the crown jewel of the family.

My parents hovered around her like flies, their faces glowing with pride and joy. Their hands barely ever left her. I could tell they couldn't afford to lose her again. They had once treated me like this, until that unfortunate event— Alice's return home.

Everyone had been on cloud nine for her, myself included. Until she accused me.

“Sister, what did I do wrong? Why did you kidnap me?” she had said. And my world blurred.