The Only Muse

When the hospital confirmed that Caleb Turner's hearing was gradually coming back, I was genuinely thrilled.

I signed to congratulate him. My movements were smooth and second nature.

For the first time in three years, the gloom on his face lifted, and he smiled as if he meant it. "Carolyn, you've had it rough for the past three years."

I smiled it off. He was the man I loved. What I had done for him didn't feel like a sacrifice at all.

I instinctively reached for his hand, only to grab nothing. It felt like something inside my chest had been hollowed out, leaving a space behind.

When I looked up, Caleb's expression was calm. "Carolyn, everyone's waiting for us. Let's not keep them."

I hesitated for a beat, but I quickly tamped down the momentary confusion and smiled politely. "You're right. Let's go."

We were all adults. It was better to keep things graceful.

My fingers brushed over the share transfer agreement tucked inside my bag. Caleb's father, Benedict Turner, had given it to me not long ago.

When I thought about it, my mood lifted a little.

At the doorway, Caleb lifted his hand slightly out of habit. I pretended not to notice and stepped out ahead of him.

Maybe he'd forgotten, but these past three years, the one who needed care and reassurance had always been him, not me.

When he first lost his hearing, I had been heartbroken. We had grown up together, and back then, I was already crushing on him.

I moved into his place without hesitation, taking the room next to his. From that point on, I stayed by his side whenever he needed me, even handling trivial things like opening doors for him.

Caleb seemed to realize it too. His hand curled awkwardly at his side as he followed behind me without a word.

The moment the private room door opened, I froze.

The place was already buzzing. No one had bothered waiting for us, and at the center of it all was Janessa Skriver, Caleb's ex, who had just returned from abroad.

That was when it clicked. It wasn't pride that made him brush me off earlier.

Caleb had been walking behind me, but the second he saw her, he stepped forward like he couldn't help himself. His fingers nervously brushed his earlobe out of habit, while his gaze locked onto her.

He moved too fast and didn't notice when he bumped into me, nearly knocking me off balance.

Someone behind me caught me just in time, then stepped back as if nothing had happened and handed me a glass of wine.

"Carol, I told you a long time ago that he's a heartless fellow."

I turned, took the glass, and politely clinked it with his. "What else am I supposed to do, Mr. Jennings? I'm already in too deep."

Anthony Jennings let out a quiet laugh. His gaze lingered on me as he stood beside me. "Carol, that makes you kind of cruel, doesn't it?"

In the center of the room, everyone had already gathered around Caleb and Janessa. They were cheering for their reunion.

I looked at Caleb's back. Three years of hearing loss hadn't dulled his appearance at all.

A pale, brooding pianist stood with a bright, effortless heiress. They really did look like a match made in heaven.

I tilted my head slightly. My lips were still tinted red from the wine. "What exactly makes me cruel?"

Anthony leaned down, took my hand, and pressed a light kiss to the back of it. "He doesn't have a heart, but I do. Carol, won't you spare me a glance?"

At some point, the room had gone quiet.

When I turned back, I realized that everyone, led by Caleb, was looking toward the corner where Anthony and I stood.

Caleb's expression was off. He looked like he wanted to step forward, but Janessa reached out and lightly tugged at his sleeve.

He stopped immediately, though his gaze stayed fixed on me. It was as if he couldn't take his eyes off me. He couldn't help but speak. "Carolyn, what are you two—"