Chapter 2

My parents somehow got wind of the news and rushed to the hospital.

I intercepted them, using sign language to ask them to explain for me.

They could understand a bit of simple sign language.

Mom nodded slightly, while Dad just pushed me aside and pulled Mom into the room.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Mom hesitantly spoke up, "Emily, she..."

Chloe, sensing what Mom was about to say, interrupted, "Mom, my sister just likes Lucas too much. Don't blame her."

I widened my eyes in disbelief, grabbing Chloe and frantically signing, [You're lying! You're lying!]

She rubbed her wrist, nestling into Lucas's arms, looking pitiful, "I'm sorry, sister. Don't be angry, I won't say anymore."

I desperately signed to Mom, my vision blurring with tears, [Tell him it's not like that!]

Mom avoided my gaze.

A sense of helplessness spread through my body. In the three years I had cared for Lucas alone, not a single day had been more desperate than today.

Dad's face darkened, "Weren't you the one who forced your sister to give up her place? You even said Lucas wouldn't know anyway."

If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I never would have imagined my own father could twist the truth so much. These words felt like needles stabbing my heart.

Originally, it was my sister who despised Lucas for becoming a vegetable and didn't want to marry him. That's why my parents had me marry him instead.

Lucas let out a cold laugh, "Emily, it's a good thing I woke up. Otherwise, I would have died with my eyes closed."

I bit my lip hard, the taste of blood spreading in my mouth. So this was how he saw me.

Mom pulled me out of the room, her face full of guilt, "Don't blame your father. We owe Chloe this much."

Chloe's parents had died saving my parents. My parents took Chloe in and treated her like their own.

My parents felt indebted to her, so I always had to give in to her in everything.

Whenever I refused, Chloe would cry and say, "If only my parents were still here."

When I developed mutism, just when I needed companionship the most, Chloe convinced my parents to take her traveling abroad.

Three years ago, Chloe's mocking words still rang in my ears, "A mute and a vegetable are a perfect match!"

Mom continued, "Now that Lucas is awake, he'll divorce you sooner or later."

"Leaving a good impression now will only elevate your sister's status, won't it?"

Tears fell to the ground as I pounded my chest hard, the only way to alleviate the pain in my heart.

But it was my parents who owed my uncle and aunt, why did I have to pay the debt?

Lucas moved quickly. He decided on divorce in the morning and had the divorce agreement drawn up by the afternoon.

Afraid I might cause trouble, he had several bodyguards watch me as I signed my name.

I smiled bitterly and slowly wrote my name.

Lucas had saved my life, and I had watched over him for three years. From now on, we owed each other nothing.