The Day I Should've Died

"Serena, I wish you'd died in that explosion when we were ten and saved me the trouble."

Adrian's words hit me like a bullet to the chest.

Rough laughter erupted in the room. "Holy shit, Boss is savage as hell!"

"Next time when Serena's busted ears are finally fixed, you should say it right to her face. I'd love to see that fragile little princess cry her eyes out."

"Who cares if she hears? She's a deaf—no one else would want her anyway except Adrian."

My hands were shaking.

Today was supposed to be my birthday party.

I'd been planning to show Adrian my diagnosis report tonight and tell him that my hearing had finally recovered. I wouldn't be a burden to him anymore.

But instead, my carefully planned surprise led me straight to the brutal truth I was never meant to hear.

I thought he loved me.

"Enough." Adrian's voice cut through the room, calm and detached. "Serena saved my life as a kid. Don't say that stuff around her."

A faint click—plastic against plastic. My hearing aid.

"Got it. We know the deal."

"Throwing away your life to repay a debt? You're too noble, Adrian."

More laughter followed, and I bit down hard on the inside of my lip.

"Serena's fragile," Daniela said. "Not like me. She can't handle you guys. Don't push her too hard."

"Adrian," she said, her tone turning serious, "you passed my test. Now I believe you're really over that deaf girl. So... tomorrow night, you and me. A date."

"Okay," Adrian smiled.

Before I could react, Adrian slipped the hearing aid back behind my ear. "Baby, what are you thinking? Too happy to speak?"

His eyes fixed on me like I was everything.

What could I say? I heard it. I heard every word.

But nothing came out. I just stared at this face I'd memorized a thousand times.

"Serena!" Someone called my name.

They all wore identical fake smiles.

"Adrian took out your hearing aid and said the sweetest things," one said. "Honestly, it gave us chills."

"You two childhood sweethearts are so perfect together," another added.

Daniela linked her arm through Adrian's and smiled. "You must be blessed to have her."

Her fingertips traced his suit cuff—intimate, deliberate. Adrian didn't pull away.

"Come on," he said, extending his hand. "Your birthday party's starting. Everyone's waiting."

I just stared at him.

"Serena?" He frowned. Something flashed in his eyes—impatience, quick but real.

I reached out and took his hand.

His palm was warm, his grip steady and familiar, just as it had been for the past ten years.

But this time, all I felt was ice-cold emptiness.