**I don’t know what you’re talking about!** Damien tries to deny it, seeming unaware that this only makes things harder for her.**So… someone else kissed me last night?**Damien’s eyebrows lift in surprise, but he remains silent. She tries to search for an answer in his eyes and meet with coldness and indifference. She sighs deeply.There’s no reason to misunderstand or hide the truth. They’re legally married and allow certain liberties with each other. She has already told him that he is allowed to ask for certain rights as a husband. However, Carol has made it clear she doesn’t want third parties complicating their relationship.Yet, things between them have escalated to an unbearable level of confusion.Carol, observant and perceptive, detects a hint of guilt in his eyes. She decides to stop overthinking. Maybe she kissed him, and he’s simply too embarrassed to admit it. Or maybe—Her eyes shift to Lucy, standing behind them, completely unapologetic after pulling her into the poo
**You betrayed me?** Carol’s hands tremble as she signs the words, her gaze locked onto Damien. He looks… different now, like someone she barely recognizes. The man she once trusted feels like a stranger before her eyes. The silence between them is heavy, suffocating. Carol waits, heart pounding, as his cold expression pierces her. She feels the regret beginning to gnaw at her heart. Finally, she lets the question she’s been dreading slip out, her fingers moving hesitantly, signing, **How long have you known me? Did… did you know me before our wedding?** Damien's jaw tightens. His eyes shift to the floor, avoiding hers. Carol’s heart sinks deeper, and it’s as if the floor beneath her is crumbling away. **So, it’s true…** she signs, heartbroken. This isn’t a misunderstanding. Those people were telling her the truth. He knew her before the wedding! Every cherished memory, every quiet, shared moment—it all feels like a lie, unraveling thread by thread. She steps back, clutching her
**This ring belonged to my great-grandmother,** Carol signs, gently tracing the diamond’s surface. Damien, holding her close, smiles and kisses her knuckles.**Should I buy a matching ring?** he signs.**Really? That would be perfect! Let me buy it for you... for my husband!** she grins.Her husband! Damien grins and nods, pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder, making Carol blush. His eyes are intense and she can't keep looking at him for a few seconds. ** I am looking forward to it!**Carol nods shyly. He’s such a gentleman.She turns, resting her head on his chest. Next to his broad frame, she feels tiny. She’d been surprised to notice his defined abs; he’s clearly dedicated to staying fit.She gently rubs his abs while staring at his legs. She wants to touch his legs but somehow hesitates. She wants to take things slowly. Not too rush or becoming too personal. After all, the heartbreak and betrayal of love has been a fresh wound that has started healing recently. She doesn't want t
** I will be back as soon as possible.** Damien gives a warm peck on her forehead, before leaving the house with James. He has to go to the Art exhibition with his parents and certainly she can't tag along with him for obvious reasons that he has been telling her since the first day. Carol hasn't protested as well. After all, she has to meet her Doc today since she has been taking regular therapy. She waves her hand, watching the car leaving the house. It's not like she never watched Troy leaving. However, she doesn't know whether it's because of her medical condition or something else, her heart keeps pounding against her chest every time she touches Damien or he shows affection. She loves him. She is aware of this but somehow she can't look at him without blushing at all. 'It's disappointing that we can't share a good weekend together! Ugh! Whatever. I need to prepare for my therapy.' She heads inside the house, feeling a bit lonely. ' Should I really get that treatmen
Sitting in her doctor’s office, Carol sends a picture to her friends’ group chat.Eunice, who’s been buried in work, glances at her phone. They've been trying to get together for ages, so she's eager to see what Carol’s sent.But as soon as they look at the picture, instead of sending heart reactions, Eunice calls Carol on a group video chat, and Sarah, Katie, and Grace join within seconds.**What is this, sweetheart?** Eunice signs.**This isn’t real, is it?** Sarah exclaims, her eyes wide with excitement and disbelief.**Are you serious?** Grace’s eyes sparkle as she asks.**Let her talk, you guys!** Katie signs with a sigh, watching them all act like excited teenagers.Blushing, Carol nods, **Yes, it’s real! He wants us to be official, so… we are official now!**Carol shows the ring, her cheeks flushing as she stares at her hand. It looks beautiful on her finger, carrying a new, precious meaning.**Wow, that was fast!** Katie grins. **What about throwing a party to celebrate?****T
Sitting in the quiet of her parked car, Carol feels her hands trembling as she clutches her phone. Her mind spins, flooded with memories she can't quite piece together. They begin with flashes of her parents’ cold words and harsh voices, memories that evoke a deep sadness she’s carried her whole life. She recalls herself as a small girl, clutching a stuffed toy behind a rocking chair, tears silently streaming down her face. But everything beyond that? It’s all a fog.Then, there are memories she can picture more vividly—terrifying, murky images of herself underwater, flailing as she saw her mother and stepfather standing on the shore, laughing. But when she tries to recall when, where, or why these things happened, the edges blur. She can’t seem to connect the dots, to pull the fragmented images into a single, coherent story.Outside the doctor’s office, she sits for a while, unable to start the car. In the aftermath of the visit, she can’t shake the fear bubbling up inside her. Is sh
Carol waits for Brianna for a while but she never comes. Damien isn't available to talk either since he is in an exhibition. Almost two hours passes by Brianna doesn't reply or comes to the café. Feeling a bit impatient, she sends another message but this time Brianna doesn't read the message. Carol sighs deeply, feeling a bit lost. She has been dealing with the things that she can't bear. But God never gives people something that is unbearable. Carol's frown between her brows deepens, realizing that Brianna is ignoring her. ' I shouldn't have mentioned it beforehand. Uhh! Now I miss Damien!' She rests her head on the table while thinking about Damien. It feels refreshing. Thinking that whatever It is, fake, false or imagination, Damien's present has made everything better. She takes another glance at her phone. Clearly Brianna is ignoring her message. She stands up, deciding whether she should leave or not. But her attention goes to the diamond jewelry shop. A famous br
The usual normal days return soon. Carol is expected to return to the company for work, and Damien has been acting giddy since morning. She applies a bit of lip gloss, trying to look her best. Ever since she started physical therapy and other treatments, she looks a bit tired. Since she has no intention of telling Damien about her medical situation to avoid adding more stress, she focuses on perfecting her appearance with makeup. Her effort to present her best self to Damien outweighs even her desire to keep her struggles hidden. After giving herself a satisfied smile, she walks downstairs. Whether it’s reality or a memory, whether she is mentally unstable or not, right now, she is happy to have Damien in her life. If it is a memory, she would rather never wake up. She could continue living in this dream. She grabs the ring box as well. Last night, she couldn’t give it to him. Before she remembered, she had fallen asleep in his embrace like a little baby. His arms feel warm, pro