Chapter 2

"Miss, why are you crying?" The voice near my ear sounded muffled once again.

So, my prayers amidst the rubble had been answered. When the earthquake struck, Jake was setting off fireworks to celebrate the return of his long-awaited sweetheart from abroad. How could a prayer like that go unanswered?

The hospital released the test results. The doctor informed me that I had blast-induced hearing loss. The powerful shockwave from the earthquake had damaged my eardrums. Whether it was reversible or not would require further observation. To assist with my hearing, I was fitted with hearing aids.

One day, Jake appeared in my hospital room. I was slowly making my way to the bed with the help of crutches. Seeing me in this state, he immediately frowned. He placed a thermos container on a nearby table and swiftly came over to lift me into his arms.

I froze, finding myself on the bed before I could react. I turned to meet his worried gaze.

"Does your right leg still hurt, Brenda?"

"It's my fault. I couldn't protect you," Jake said softly, his voice filled with guilt. The concern in his eyes seemed genuine.

Yet, an inexplicable bitterness welled up inside me.

"If I had been with you during the earthquake, you wouldn't have had to endure all of this alone." His voice was hoarse as he gently touched my face. He leaned in, as though about to kiss me as he usually did.

I turned my head away, and he paused.

"Really?" I asked quietly, looking at him directly. My throat felt dry as I inquired, "So, what were you doing while I was trapped under the rubble?"

Jake's eyes darkened slightly, and he lowered his gaze to conceal the unnatural look in them.

After a moment, he took my hand. "Brenda, I know you're upset, and I truly regret not being by your side then."

I said softly, "If you really regretted it, you would have come to find me the day I was brought to the hospital."

He fell silent.

The suffocating feeling in my chest grew stronger as I observed his reaction.

"When did Susie Luther come back?"

Jake's expression changed as soon as he heard her name. He responded almost instinctively, "Why are you asking about that?"

His defensive tone caught me off guard. It was as if he feared I might cause trouble for her.

Realizing his mistake, Jake changed his attitude. "I'm sorry, Brenda. I shouldn't have used that tone." He kissed my hand. "I just think you should focus on recovering and not let irrelevant people affect your mood."

He reached for the thermos he had brought, opening it to release a delicious aroma of homemade chicken soup.

When I watched him act this way, my heart felt as if it had been doused in vinegar. My voice remained calm but trembled slightly as I said, "So when you were setting off fireworks for her and receiving countless calls from me, did you consider me an irrelevant person at that moment?"

Hearing my words, Jake stiffened.

His voice strained as he asked, "You know about that?"

"The whole city knows. They're all wishing you a lifetime of happiness together," I replied, my voice eerily calm.

Jake frowned slightly and rushed to explain, "Brenda, it's not what you think. I was invited by a friend and only discovered it was her welcome-back party when I arrived. The fireworks were just a consequence of losing a game."

He spoke nervously, gesturing with both hands.

"We've been in love for seven years, and we're engaged. Please believe me, Brenda, I love you."

I gazed silently at the Tupperware container he had brought.

His voice sounded distorted in my ears.

After a moment, I let out a soft sigh, fighting back tears.

"Jake, it's been seven years. You know I'm allergic to eggs."

What he had brought was chicken soup with eggs in it.

Jake froze as if struck by lightning.

Then, realizing his mistake, he quickly closed the container.

"I'm sorry, Brenda. I've been so busy these past few days. I haven't been thinking straight."

"I'll go home and make you some plain chicken noodle soup instead, okay?"

As he spoke, he affectionately squeezed my hand.

I didn't respond, but my head began to throb.

Jake leaned in and kissed my forehead as if nothing was wrong.

His voice was low and serious: "I know I've made mistakes over the years, honey. Please be patient with me."