Part 3Silent Betrayal

Everyone around us gave Sylvia strange looks, unable to understand what the nonspeaking woman was trying to say. Some even wondered if she was homeless.

Hearing that, I glanced at her clothes, which were torn and scuffed from a fall.

I felt nothing.

I used to feel sorry for her and stand up for her, but I wasn't going to make a fool of myself anymore. It wasn't worth it.

"Shane, how about getting together with some old friends? Sylvia can come too."

Joey had appeared at some point. He looked at me with a mocking smile.

I frowned and glanced at Sylvia. Her eyes widened, and she hurriedly waved her hands, trying to show me that she hadn't asked Joey to come.

"Sure," I said.

I looked at the new message Joyce had just sent me, and my heart grew even colder. Still, I kept my expression composed as I looked at the two people in front of me.

"Joey, your girlfriend will be there too, right?"

-

Quite a few of our classmates and friends had come to the gathering too. They teased Sylvia, Joey, and me about what I had done years ago, saying that true love had finally won.

"But wasn't Sylvia in love with Joey back then?"

The poorly timed question silenced everyone. They watched the three of us, eager to see what would happen next.

What a spectacle. Just how long was this charade going to continue?

I glanced at Sylvia and chuckled. "I don't care who she likes. I'm done with this mute woman. She's just an idiot who plays with wooden dolls."

Everyone fell silent. Back when Sylvia and I were together, many people had mocked me as a do-gooder with a savior complex.

All the while, Sylvia stayed safely on the sidelines while I defended her.

This was a new sight for everyone.

Sylvia stood there awkwardly as everyone laughed at her. She looked at me helplessly.

Why look at me?

I watched Joey turn away from Sylvia with clear annoyance, and I couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Wait a minute. I thought Joey had feelings for Sylvia too," I said. "Why don't we let Celine hear the sweet things you two say to each other? Or should we show her the doll Sylvia kept for Joey all these years?"

When I said that, everyone gasped. No one had expected things to get this interesting. They all looked at us with mixed expressions.

Celine Zeller, who had been quiet until then, looked upset.

"What are you talking about? Joey, are you still in touch with Sylvia? What's this about a doll?"

I scoffed when I saw Joey's face darken. Then I deliberately pulled out my phone, intending to play the recording.

"What are you doing? Don't even think about framing us! Everyone knows you're jealous of me! You married a woodworker who can't speak, and you can't compare to me. Now you want to ruin my life?" Joey yelled.

Furious, he shouted as he rushed toward me, as if he had no idea where I had gotten the recording.

The moment he grabbed me by the shirt, Sylvia, who had been sitting there in a daze, suddenly sprang to her feet. Somehow, she found the strength to force us apart.

She anxiously checked the red marks on my neck and signed to ask if I was okay.

I pulled away from her hand with a click of my tongue, then coldly averted my gaze.

Sylvia seemed ready to do something else, but Celine was already furious. Celine kicked Sylvia in the calf from behind, sending her to her knees.

"I knew there was a reason Joey suddenly invited you both! So he was after you all along! You're just a mute. Did you really think you could land someone out of your league?"

The others smiled mockingly at Sylvia.

Back then, even though she couldn't speak, Sylvia was proud, got good grades, and had me to protect her. People had at least treated her with some respect.

Now they no longer bothered to hide their contempt.

"She's still pretending to be so pure and innocent, just like back then." I heard someone in the crowd mock her.

I looked at Sylvia, who had been hit and couldn't even defend herself. The anger I felt over her lies had only eased a little.

"Sorry. Did I come at a bad time?" someone said.

Everyone turned in surprise to look at the person entering through the door.

"It's so lively here."