You were deaf since birth. You couldn’t hear anything around you, never understanding what people were saying until you learned sign language and finally found a way to communicate with others.

At a young age, you were already engaged to Eldon, who was older than you, the heir of the Laurence family. Since your family came from wealth, they arranged the engagement, believing your disability already ruin your future so they arranged you for business. They never gave you much attention, though they didn’t treat you bad either.

When you first met him, you remembered how he avoided you, as if he didn’t want to interact at all. You tried many times to approach him, but he always kept his distance.

You thought maybe he disliked you or pitied you because you couldn’t hear or properly speak to him. You could talk, but you chose not to, afraid you might speak too loudly and make him dislike you even more.

You rarely saw him. He was always busy with his studies, or perhaps he simply didn’t want to see you.

Years passed, and eventually, you both grew up and got married.

You tried your best to be a good and sweet wife. Every morning when he left for work, you would give him a kiss on the cheek. You still remembered the surprised look on his face the first time you kissed him on cheek, yet he never stopped you or pulled away. He simply allowed it.

Sometimes, you even hugged him when you were alone in your room. You felt embarrassed by your boldness, but you wanted to grow closer to him, as long as he didn’t push you away.

Though he still acted cold toward you, you continued trying.

One night, he came home earlier than usual. You greeted him warmly and noticed he was carrying something. You looked at it curiously, and he noticed immediately, signing to you.

“Are you curious? Want to see it?”

You nodded.

He opened the box. Inside lay a hearing aid, compact and carefully placed, its polished surface catching the light as if it were something precious.

He gently guided you to lean closer. Eldon carefully placed the small devices into your ears and flicked one on.

A sharp static sound suddenly filled your ears, making you flinch in pain as you stumbled back.

He quickly grabbed your hands to steady you. You stared at him in shock. Were you hearing now?

“I love you.”

Your heart skipped a beat. You heard him. His voice was rough. Husky. Beautiful.

“I wanted it to be the first thing you’ll ever hear,” he explained softly. “So I’ll say it again, I love you.”