Chapter 7

Grace could normally catch faint sounds even without her hearing aids. She groped her way up, took the medicine from the nightstand, and placed it in her mouth. It was bitter and astringent. After leaving Websmith Residence, where she had lived for three years, she returned home. As soon as she reached the front door, she overheard a conversation between Carolyn and Matthew. "How did I end up with such a useless daughter? After three years, Luther hasn't even touched her! She's not even a real woman yet, and she's already talking about divorce." Carolyn's angry words cut into Grace like sharp knives. She couldn't understand what Carolyn meant by a "real woman". Was it being cherished by a husband or having children? Matthew's words were even harsher. "Grace doesn't seem like one of us. I've heard Luther's first love has come back. Even if she doesn't get a divorce, she'll be pushed aside." Then, he added, "In that case, we should plan for the future. Mr. Lloyd's wife recently passed away, and although Grace has hearing issues, she would be more than suitable for an 80-year-old man..." As Grace recalled the conversation she had overheard, her gaze became vacant. She tried not to dwell on it and picked up her phone, finding an unread message. She instinctively assumed it was from Luther, but it was from Derrick. Derrick wrote, "Grace, I've handed the transfer agreement to Luther, but he wasn't very receptive. You should think more about yourself moving forward." Grace typed a reply, saying, "Thank you for your help. I will." After sending the message, Grace was overcome by a sense of numbness. Returning the few assets she had to Luther wasn't an act of nobility; it was simply because she didn't want to be in his debt. Unfortunately, she couldn't offer as many assets as they had originally agreed upon, and it seemed she would bear the stigma of deceiving him into marriage for the rest of her life. Despite not eating for two days, Grace wasn't hungry. The silence around her was overwhelming and almost frightening. Even with her hearing aids and medication, she still couldn't hear anything. Worried that she might miss a call from Luther when arranging the divorce, Grace went to a nearby hospital for an examination. The doctor performed a basic check and discovered that her ear canals had dried blood in them. Although she received treatment that day, her hearing was only partially restored. "What's going on? How long have you had this condition?" the doctor asked. Grace replied honestly, "I've had hearing problems since birth." The doctor looked at Grace, who appeared to be in her early 20s, with surprise. It was hard to believe she was suffering from such a serious condition despite her generally good health. He expressed concern, saying, "Miss, if this condition continues, you might eventually lose your hearing completely. Even hearing aids may not be effective." Grace's hope vanished, and she felt suffocated. She was silent for a long time. The doctor looked toward the door and asked, "Did you come here alone? Where are your family or friends?" Grace gave a bitter laugh at the mention of family. She thought of Carolyn, who had always looked down on her, and Matthew, who had wanted her to marry an elderly man. She also remembered Luther, who had treated her with contempt for over three years. Finally, her mind settled on Maxim's tearful expression as he passed away. Maxim's final words echoed in her mind. "I don't want to leave... What will happen to my dear Grace if I'm gone..." Grace now understood the depth of his struggle. Despite the intense pain and the medical equipment surrounding him after the accident, Maxim had fought against letting go. He knew that without him, Grace would be left all alone. She swallowed the bitterness in her throat and finally said, "They've passed away." … As she left the hospital, a drizzle began to fall. It seemed to rain a lot more frequently in Taseville than usual. At the hospital entrance, people hurried by in groups, and Grace stood alone. She stepped into the rain, unsure of where to go. Fearing she might lose her hearing permanently, she bought a ticket out of town and headed to the countryside to visit her childhood nanny, Teresa Lloyd. By the time she arrived, it was already 9:00 pm. Grace stood in front of the old brick house, hesitating to knock on the door. Over the years, she had been so focused on caring for Luther that her visits to Teresa's place had always been rushed. As she hesitated, the door was pulled open from the inside, and a warm light spilled out. Teresa's face instantly brightened with surprise as she saw Grace. "Grace…" Teresa said. Seeing Teresa's kind smile made Grace's eyes sting. She reached out and hugged her. "Teresa…" Teresa had never married or had children of her own due to health reasons. To Grace, she was even more like family than Carolyn. Teresa seemed to sense Grace's pain and sadness and gently patted her shoulder. "What's wrong with you, my dear Grace?" Grace rarely showed her vulnerable side. The last time she was like this was after her father's death. Grace shook her head. "It's nothing. I just missed you... a lot." Teresa saw she wasn't ready to talk and didn't press further. "I missed you too." Teresa quickly pulled Grace inside when she noticed how drenched she was and told her to take a hot shower. That night, Grace curled up in Teresa's embrace, feeling as if she had returned to a safe haven. As Teresa held her, she noticed how alarmingly thin Grace had become, with hardly any flesh on her bones. Teresa's hand trembled on Grace's bony back as she struggled to stay composed. "Grace, how is Luther treating you now?" she asked cautiously. The mention of Luther made Grace's throat ache, and she instinctively wanted to lie to Teresa again, saying that Luther was fine. However, she knew Teresa wasn't foolish. Since she had already decided to leave, she didn't want to deceive herself or mislead someone who cared about her. "He's back with someone he likes. I'm planning to set him free and get a divorce." Teresa was stunned by her words. Grace had once told her more than once that she wanted to grow old with Luther. Since Teresa didn't respond, Grace held her more tightly and asked softly, "Teresa, can I be like you?" She wished she could be like Teresa—never marrying and remaining forever alone, as Luther said, living out her days in solitude. Yet, if given the choice, who would choose to be alone forever rather than being loved? Teresa felt a deep pang of sorrow as she listened to Grace. "Silly girl, don't say such things. There's so much of your life ahead. Even if you leave Luther, there'll be others who will love and cherish you." Grace nodded quietly, the buzzing in her ears drowning out Teresa's comforting words. After more than a decade of one-sided love, she knew better than anyone how difficult and painful loving someone could be. How could she, in her current state, deserve anyone else's affection? Tears streamed down her cheeks, soaking the bedding. … The next day, Grace groggily opened her eyes, confused about how she had ended up here.