Chapter 4

I looked at him, puzzled by what he was saying. "What are you talking about?"

Garrison patiently repeated what he had just said.

This time, I understood his lip movements. My expression changed several times as I struggled to pull my hand away from his grasp.

When I was younger, my biggest dream was to one day become his bride.

But the moment he sent me into that slum for Delia's sake, I completely lost any lingering feelings for him.

Rather than marrying him, I'd much prefer to simply live well and enjoy my life.

Before I could refuse, Delia broke down first. She started yelling hysterically, crying about the pain she'd endured these past three years.

"Garrison! I gave up my career for you, devoted myself to learning how to take care of our home, while you've been out there fooling around with other women. How could you do this to me?"

The door to the private room had been left ajar since she entered.

People passing by in the hallway overheard her accusations and stopped to watch the scene unfold.

"Oh my god, a wife catching her husband dining with his mistress? What a major showdown we've got here!"

"That other woman they're yelling at is pretty attractive. Why would she be so misguided as to become a homewrecker?" "People nowadays just love to take shortcuts. She must have seen that guy's got more money."

I couldn't hear what the passersby were saying outside, but I could see the contempt in their eyes.

Their scorching gazes were like raging flames in a bonfire, mercilessly searing me.

I clenched my fists, desperately wanting to escape.

But Garrison grabbed my wrist, thinking Delia had scared me. He lowered his voice and spoke gently, "Melody, don't be afraid. I'll protect you."

My mind was in chaos, and I had no energy to read his lips.

I pointed to my ears, telling him, "I can't hear, Garrison. Please let me go. I want to go home."

Garrison thought the chaotic scene had prevented me from hearing him, so he nodded and tried to lead me away.

Delia refused to let him leave, pulling at him, demanding an explanation.

Garrison was beyond irritated but said nothing, calmly watching her like a passerby observing an irrelevant person's drama, completely unmoved.

Delia was hurt by his gaze. The words on the tip of her tongue turned into a choke. With tears in her eyes, she said heartbrokenly, "Garrison, you're heartless." Garrison looked at her coldly, uttering just four words: "Had enough yet?"

Delia covered her face, sobbing. Garrison didn't spare her another glance as he pulled me towards the exit.

With the passion in their relationship faded, his coldness towards her mirrored how he once treated me.

Pushing through the crowd, we reached the restaurant's entrance. I couldn't take it anymore and forcefully freed my hand from his grip. "Garrison, let's end this here!"

Let's end everything here.

Garrison couldn't understand my sudden change in attitude. Confused and somewhat exasperated, he said, "Melody, stop being difficult. I've figured it out now. You're the one I love, you're the one I want to marry. I brought you back because I wanted to give you a grand wedding."

He spoke rapidly, and I couldn't make out anything he was saying.

I frowned, growing impatient. "I can't hear what you're saying. Could you please type out what you want to say?"

"What?" It was then that he realized something was wrong. His gaze fell on my ears, and he noticed the obvious scar on my left ear. Anxiously, he asked, "What happened? How did you get this injury?"

I pressed my lips tightly together, saying nothing.

Garrison caught on and quickly took out his phone to type out what he wanted to say. I saw that, but still didn't answer.

"Melody, I don't mind that you have hearing issues. I'm still willing to marry you. It's just that letting my mom agree might be a bit difficult. You may have to put up with some discomfort, but don't worry. Once we get past my mom, we can get married."

Seeing these words he typed out, I suddenly found it incredibly amusing.

Thinking this, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Garrison, what makes you think I'd definitely marry you?"

Garrison's face wore a confident smile as he leaned in close to me, staring intently into my eyes, and declared, "Because you love me."

I read his lips clearly and couldn't help but laugh.

Thinking he had guessed my feelings correctly, a glimmer of smugness flashed in his eyes.

A gentle breeze brushed past as I revealed the wedding ring on my ring finger.

I slowly spoke, "Garrison, I'm married."