Chapter 1

Everyone at the hospital knew that Mrs. Harding Jr. had a hearing impairment and could barely communicate with others even with a hearing aid.

So when Eugene Harding handed me that woman's prenatal checkup report, I stared at the name on it for a long time.

"Lena, this is my child with Dr. Henson."

His voice was very soft, as if he were informing a stranger who had nothing to do with him.

"How can I feel comfortable letting you have a child in your condition?"

I touched the hearing aid in my ear and nodded slowly.

Eugene probably thought I understood, so he bent down and hugged me.

"There now. You're still Mrs. Harding, and that will never change."

After he left, I took off my hearing aid, and the world instantly went quiet.

Last night, he'd been on the phone in his study, saying, "I'll marry you once I get the shares," and I heard it clearly.

I'm just deaf.

I'm not stupid.

Eugene didn't know that I could read lips.

And he didn't know this house held another secret of his.

1.

Eugene didn't know that I could read lips.

I've never told anyone about it.

After a fever damaged my ears when I was eight, I was forced to learn the skill.

When people speak, I watch their lips, and I know what they're saying.

So for the past three years, every time Eugene spoke to Effie Henson with his back to me, I saw it perfectly clearly.

Like right now.

At the far end of the hospital corridor, Eugene had his arm around Effie's waist, his lips moving slightly.

"Just hold on a little longer. Once she signs the share transfer agreement, we'll go public."

Effie touched her belly and smiled tenderly.

"Does she really know nothing?"

"What could a deaf woman know?" Eugene lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry."

I stood where I was, watching their lips open and close.

Effie turned her head and glanced at me.

I understood that look. She was calculating how many days I had left.

I lowered my eyes.

The electrical hiss in the hearing aid was piercing.

When I married Eugene three years ago, he wasn't the president of Harding Group yet.

Back then he was only the unfavored second son of the Harding family, with a shrewd, capable older brother holding him down.

The wedding was very simple. He couldn't even afford a diamond ring, so he just slipped a silver one onto my finger.

"Lena, I've put you through so much."

He cupped my face, his eyes going red.

"Once I make it someday, I'll give you the very best."

I smiled and shook my head, pointing at my heart.

It's okay. Having you is enough.

Back then, Eugene would get up early every day to brew herbal medication for me. When my ears rang in the middle of the night, he'd hold me in his arms and gently pat my back. He'd speak slowly into my ear, word by word, so I could see his lips clearly.

"Lena, you're the most important person in my life."

I believed him.

So when the eldest son of the Harding family ran into trouble and Eugene unexpectedly took over the company, I was happier than anyone.

I thought the hard times were finally behind me.

But I forgot that once a person stands up high, they can no longer see what's beneath their feet.