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

I decided to give it one last try.Caleb didn't come back until 11:00 pm that night. I had fallen asleep on the couch when I felt his jacket settle over me. It was still carrying his scent.For a moment, I felt comforted. Without thinking, I murmured, "Now that your hearing's back, you don't even need me anymore…"My words trailed off.Even with the lights off, the deep red lipstick stain on his jacket was impossible to miss under the moonlight.Something sharp that had been lodged in my chest suddenly took root, spreading and clawing, like it wanted to tear me apart from the inside out.Janessa was provoking me, and Caleb had allowed her to.He had always disliked it when women wore makeup.Once, he had held my chin and said with a cold laugh, "Don't come near me if you're wearing makeup. It smells awful."I loved looking put together, but because he hated it, I had gone barefaced for three years. I had even stopped wearing perfume.However, now, another woman's scent linger

Caleb stared at the painting that had gone viral and felt his eyes sting.It had been almost a month since I left, but he had never truly believed that I would actually walk away. In his mind, I was just upset, and it wasn't like this hadn't happened before.There had been plenty of times when I would confess my feelings to him, only for him to push me away with cold indifference in the very next moment.Caleb knew how strong-willed I was, and he understood better than anyone how much his actions hurt me, yet he still chose to push me away over and over again.He had deliberately made a show of cherishing the diary Janessa left behind, even going so far as to yell at me over it more times than I could count.He had deliberately ignored me when people mocked me for shamelessly staying by his side, watching me force a smile just to remain with him.He had even pretended to be a germaphobe just to forbid me from wearing makeup.Caleb repeatedly tested my limits, as if he needed con

Caleb's expression turned sharp as he stared straight at me. His gaze was cold and cutting. Beneath his hands, the pristine white piano keys were now streaked with blood, the contrast so stark that it was jarring to look at.He had slammed his hands down on the piano with no restraint, as if he didn't care about destroying them. It was pure self-sabotage.Anthony reached over and covered my eyes. "Carol, don't look at him."My heart was still pounding, but at his words, I leaned in and kissed him lightly, reassuring him. "Don’t worry. He has nothing to do with me anymore."We stood up to leave, but Caleb suddenly rushed to the edge of the stage and called out my name at the top of his lungs. "Carolyn, why? You never used to let me get hurt like this!"Caleb was still charming. With that pale, handsome face of his, even his shouting made him look heartbreakingly shattered.Some of the reporters at the scene were already whispering about some tragic, all-consuming love, and more th

In the end, Caleb didn't come to my wedding.That day, he had spent a long time choosing a suit. He had taken more sedatives than he should have and even brought a bouquet with him.However, when it came down to it, he chickened out.He had already sent Janessa away. She wouldn't bother me again. However, what if the problem wasn't her? What if the one I detested was him?He stood outside, unable to take that last step forward, even as he clutched the invitation I had sent him in his hand.My wedding was lively.Guests moved in and out, flowers filled the venue, and I stood there in a beautiful wedding dress.I had always stood out.For three years, I had toned myself down for him. Caleb thought that he should've been content with that.The ceremony went without a hitch. Nothing was interrupted just because someone didn't show up.Caleb stood outside the whole time, listening quietly. It wasn't until the groom's vows were said that he finally broke down.He was supposed to