“This wedding dress is too short; it makes your legs look thick.” 

This one shows too much shoulder; it makes you look too muscular 

“This one is too sparkly, that one’s too dark” 

“Try that one,” Emily said, sitting like a pri 

a princess on the sofa, giving me instructions. 

If I hadn’t witnessed what happened earlier today, I would have thought she was genuinely trying to make me look beautiful for the wedding, 

each of her words felt like a sharp jah in my ear. 

I picked up the dress she had pointed to–the same one Emily had worn when she kissed Isaac. I threw it back at them 

I stormed out of the bridal shop, my chest heaving violently. 

My throat was dry, full of the frustration I couldn’t express 

I wasn’t paying attention when I bumped into a child running toward the street. 

The child fell to the ground, crying loudly, throwing their lollipop at me. 

The child’s mother rushed over, shouting angrily, and shoved my hand away when I tried to help. 

“Are you blind?! 

“Why did you push my child?” 

I wanted to apologize, but I couldn’t speak. 

The child’s mother glared at me, as if she wanted to hit me. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Apologize to my child!” 

“Say something!” 

“Apologize 

She raised her hand, preparing to slap me. I closed my eyes in fear. 

But the slap never came. Instead, I heard Isaac’s voice, clear and firm. 

“Sorry, she can’t speak. She’s mute.” 

He squatted down and handed the child a red bill “Here, this can buy you ten lollipops” 

“I’ll apologize for her.” 

The child’s mother, realizing I was mute, looked embarrassed and hurried away, clutching her child. 

I turned to me, annoyed. “You knew you might cause trouble, so why couldn’t you behave?” 

When he saw the redness in my eyes, his expression softened 

Emily laughed from the side. “You called her mute? You’re done for!” 

“Get ready to kneel on the washboard when we get home.” 

Emily linked her arm through mine. “Don’t be angry, Summer. Let’s go get something delicious” 

“Don’t listen to this jerk” 

Yes, he used to hate it when others called me mute. 

15:16 

Love, a Hollow Promise 

Back in ghar hood, I represented the school in a singing competition and won first dare 

I’ve always had a beautifid voice, and my 

und to say my voice was healing. 

But after that competition, when I entered the pest room, a leage reiling light fell 

Glass shards scattered, some piercing my throat, leaving me unable to speak ever again. 

made 

haac had secretly harloured feelings for me for years, and I had always rejected him 

But after my injury, he appeared more than ever, taking rare of me, protecting me 

Every time someone called me mute, he would fiercely correct them. “It’s not mute, it’s a speech impairment.” 

even threatened me, “If you don’t be with me, I’ll stab myself in the throat,” 

“I’ll say with you, even if I have to be with someone who can’t speak.” 

At that time, I was really touched by his actions and believed in his love for me, 

But now, when I accidentally knocked into a child on the street, he just thought I was causing trouble. 

I pulled my arm away from Emily. “You guys go ahead, I want to go home,” 

Helt a single sentence and walked off, no one following me.