Chapter 3

Had this been a few weeks ago, I would've lost control and responded to Jackson. But now, all I felt was disgust and nausea.

Just a week ago, my hearing was finally restored. I came home, excited to share the news with him and Bonnie, only to hear his wild groans echoing from the guest bedroom.

My whole body froze. I even questioned if I was imagining it.

Before I could barge into that room, Bonnie, who had always looked down on me, came up with an excuse to get me to help with her homework. She pushed me aside, muttering, "I don't need you ruining Mommy Cassie's fun."

That was when I realized just how much she wanted me, her mother, replaced. They all assumed I was still deaf and oblivious to their actions, but little did they know, I heard every single thing.

That day, I applied for a teaching program in Seru Plateau and booked my flight ticket. Just like what Jackson and I had once promised each other—if one of us ever betrayed the other, the betrayed one would disappear.

So, I decided I would vanish from his world completely. I did not want him or Bonnie.

However, the memories of him and Cassidy going at it in the next room kept echoing in my head. My stomach twisted, and I instinctively shot upright and shoved him away.

Jackson let out a sharp cry and fell to the floor. I froze for a second, reflexively trying to help him up, but my hands wouldn't move.

He wasn't mad. Instead, he looked at me with worry. "Quinn, what's wrong?"

I opened my mouth to answer, then remembered I was supposed to be deaf. A moment passed before he realized it too. He lifted his hands and started signing.

"Nothing," I replied. "Just a little unwell."

Then, as if something clicked in his mind, he suddenly panicked and began signing frantically. "Cassidy is just an old schoolmate. Please don't get the wrong idea about us."

He was always the calm and composed type, yet today, because of her, he had completely lost control.

I didn't bother responding and simply brushed him off. "I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

I turned my back toward him and lay down. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his expression stiffen.

It took a long moment before I heard him whisper under his breath, "I really love you, Quinn. I really, really do. If you ever leave me, I'll die."

Tears kept spilling from the corners of my eyes. If he loved me, why did he betray me?

We had promised each other that we would never part in this life. If either of us strayed, we would disappear from the other's world completely.

All those beautiful memories we once shared were crushed by the brutal truth in front of me, shattering into nothing.

…

The next morning, Jackson said he wanted to take Bonnie and me out for some fun. Maybe he sensed that I was acting differently, or maybe it was the guilt deep inside of him.

"We've been wanting to go to the amusement park for ages but never had the time. Quinn, will you come with Bonnie and me?"

He wrung his hands while wearing a pitiful look, clearly trying to get a response from me. Even Bonnie, who was usually impatient, looked at me with pure excitement at the idea of going.

However, the marks Cassidy had left on Jackson's neck—right where his collar hadn't been buttoned—glared back at me. All I could manage to feel for him was pure disdain.

Bonnie was quick. She packed the things we would need for the day before I could even react.

At the amusement park, she held my hand the entire time, while Jackson kept a watchful eye on us both. I pursed my lips slightly, and he knew to hand me water the next second.

He insisted on buying anything I glanced at for more than a second. Even the rides I used to like but never dared to try, he made sure we went on all of them.

He was exhausted, yet he held my hand tightly, refusing to let go.