At eight months pregnant, I was hit by a car and gave birth early. But unexpectedly, I regained my hearing.

Outside the operating room, my husband was talking to the doctor.

“Mr. Griffin, the baby is fully developed and stable. A normal delivery should be possible—”

Albert Griffin cut him off immediately, “No, induce the labor now! I promised Summer that I would let our child rightfully join the Griffin family. Paulina is almost a month old. If she gets any older, people will figure out the truth.

“If this baby doesn’t make it, that’s fine. She can always have another one. But this is the only way she will truly believe that Paulina is her own child.”

I closed my eyes tightly and forced myself to stay calm.

He thought his lies were perfect, but he was wrong. I heard everything.

And if he could lie and pretend, so could I.

Dr. Lambert looked reluctant and adjusted his glasses.

“Mr. Griffin, Ms. Johnson has a weak body and had a hard time getting pregnant. You both tried for almost three years before it finally happened. The chances of it happening again are… If she finds out that the baby she worked so hard to have was aborted on purpose, it will be a disaster.”

The anesthesia was already making my body go numb. I wanted to move, but I could only lift one finger.

Albert Griffin walked in and stroked my hand. He smiled gently before turning to Dr. Lambert.

“Don’t worry. She can’t hear anything. Just increase the anesthesia later, and she’ll never know.

“Both babies are girls, and Paulina looks like me, not Summer. She won’t suspect anything.”

Dr. Lambert opened his mouth as if to say something, but Albert waved him off.

“Summer has been with me for three years. I already feel guilty for not giving her a proper status. I need to make sure our child rightfully becomes part of the Griffin family.”

Dr. Lambert wiped away his sweat, let out a long sigh, and stayed silent.

A needle pricked my skin again. As the cold liquid flowed into my body, my consciousness started to fade.

Albert kissed my forehead. He seemed anxious and worried. He used sign language to speak to me.

[Don’t be afraid, honey. I’ll stay with you until the baby is born.]

But just before I completely lost consciousness, I heard him say something else to the doctor.

“Get the baby out and get rid of it before the anesthesia wears off.”

I closed my eyes. In a daze, I felt something being taken out of my body.

Suddenly, the loud cry of a baby echoed from outside. Albert immediately let go of my hand and rushed out in a panic.

“Paulina, don’t cry. Daddy’s here.”

I did not know how much time had passed, but when I opened my eyes, I saw Albert.

His eyes instantly turned teary. He rushed forward emotionally, and his hands moved quickly as he signed.

[Honey, does it still hurt? Are you tired? You’ve been through so much. If I could, I’d take your place and give birth instead.]

Then, he lifted the baby and placed her in front of me.

[Look at our daughter. She’s so cute!]

I looked down just as the baby puckered her lips. She really was cute.

But I did not feel happy at all. Instead, I thought about the baby I lost, the one who had already developed. I never even got to see her.

A sharp pain struck my chest. I took a deep breath and forced myself to stay calm.

Albert did not notice and was deep in thought. Then, he looked at me with eagerness.

[What should we name her? How about—]

My voice was unsteady and awkward.

“Pau... lina.”

I lost my hearing three years ago because of a medication infection. Since then, I rarely spoke because I thought my voice sounded strange.

As soon as I said the name, Albert’s smile froze. His hands, which were still signing, stopped in midair.

I kept my face calm and saw the panic in Albert’s eyes. Then, I raised my hands and signed.

[The baby looks bigger and chubbier than most newborns. Somehow, the name Paulina just came to mind.]

He seemed to snap back to reality and let out a clear sigh of relief.

[Yes, you’re right. Let’s go with your suggestion and name her Paulina.]

For the entire month after giving birth, Albert was extremely attentive.

He wiped my body every day, had warm water ready the moment I needed it, and hardly ever left my side.

But when I pretended to be asleep, I overheard him giving orders on the phone.

“Get rid of the car that caused the accident. Pay the driver well and make sure his family moves to another province. Tell them to never come back.”

Sometimes, he would talk more softly on the phone.

“Summer, just wait a little longer. I’ll make sure you can see the baby soon.”

The day I was discharged from the hospital, Albert brought someone home.

[This is a highly experienced nanny I had Wilson hire from a professional agency.]

There was a hint of hidden malice in her smile. I stayed calm and nodded.

[What’s her name?]

Albert took my hand and carefully traced the letters on my palm.

[Summer Young.]

I looked at Albert’s smiling face, but instead of feeling warmth, a chill ran through me. I pointed at Summer.

[She looks really young. Can she even take care of a baby? And does she know sign language?]

Albert’s smile froze for a moment. I waved it off.

[Forget it. I trust you. Besides, she’s only here for the baby. She doesn’t need to talk to me.]

His tense expression eased immediately. He shot Summer a look, and she pursed her lips before pushing the crib into the baby’s room.

Then, Albert massaged my shoulders, ran a warm bath, and tucked me in like the perfect, attentive husband.

But that night, I heard the sounds of moaning.

After opening my eyes, my senses sharpened instantly. I strained my ears. The noise was coming from the baby’s room next to mine.

I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, hit record, and stepped out.

The door was slightly open. Inside, their bodies were tangled together. My grip tightened around my phone as I swallowed back my tears.

Albert’s hands trailed up Summer’s waist. Then, he bit her shoulder and murmured in a low voice, “That’s my good girl, Summer. It’s only been two months since you gave birth, and your body’s already better than before. Not like Wendy. Her belly fat could pass for a pool float.”

The sound of ripping clothes, wet kisses, and Summer’s moans filled the air. Albert did not even try to lower his voice as he chuckled.

“Summer, you know what? Ever since Wendy went deaf, she sounds like an old grandma in bed. Sometimes, I just want to cover her mouth. But you… baby, let me hear you go louder.”

My grip on my phone went weak. My mind spun and dragged me back in time.

Albert and I grew up side by side. We went from school uniforms to wedding vows. Everyone envied us and called us a perfect couple.

Three years ago, when I found out I was losing my hearing, Albert cried before I even did. I was terrified and insecure. I asked him if he was disgusted by me. He only held my hands tighter.

“Wendy, I’m just worried about you.”

In just a few days, he mastered sign language. He patiently taught me every sign, even when I lashed out.

In the end, I could still speak, but I had lost all my hearing. The grief was unbearable. I took it out on him. I told him to just divorce me and find someone normal.

He did not even try to dodge the ashtray I threw. He just wiped the blood from his forehead, pulled me into his arms, and traced each letter into my palm with his fingertips.

[Wendy, no matter what, I won’t leave you.]

I could still picture the sincerity in his eyes like it was yesterday.

A sharp cry from the baby jolted me back to reality. I clenched my fists and forced myself to stay put. The baby was innocent, after all.

Then, I saw Summer, the baby’s mother, tugging at Albert’s arm. Her voice was sickeningly sweet.

“Paulina will be fine on her own. Albert, isn’t having me enough?”

Albert hesitated for a moment before sliding his hands around her waist. His voice was thick with desire.

“Mm, we should hurry. I have to go back—”

Summer cut him off with a kiss. I stopped recording and went back to bed.

From the other room, I could hear Albert’s low chuckle.

“Summer, how did you even come up with this? Posing as a nanny? It’s… thrilling.”

About an hour later, the door creaked open. Albert tiptoed over.

He gently tucked the blanket around me and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

“I love you.”

What a joke.

When I woke up, Albert was already dressed. He brushed my nose with his fingertip and told me to sleep in a little longer.

As soon as the bedroom door closed, I heard his overly dramatic voice from outside.

“Honey, even a Michelin three-star chef can’t cook as well as you!”

Through the window, I caught a glimpse of a Maybach parked out front. Wilson was waiting by the villa entrance. He was ready to drive.

Summer’s voice was a mix of delight and complaint. “Honey, wait! Where’s my good morning kiss?”

The two of them flirted for a while. They sounded like a couple on their honeymoon.

“I’m heading to the office. Take care of the baby at home.”

As the car disappeared down the road, I took a deep breath. Just then, my phone buzzed.

[Honey, save some room for dessert tonight. I’m bringing you your favorite strawberry shortcake.]

[Okay.]

I replied flatly and got up to wash up.

When I opened the door, I heard Summer swearing in the kitchen, “Stupid deaf idiot, why didn’t you just die in that car accident?

“You’ve only known Albert a few years longer than I have. What makes you so special? Why do you get to stand by his side while I have to play the nanny?”

With that, she slammed the cutting board down and started chopping furiously, as if taking out her anger on it instead of me.

“Wendy, just hurry up and die already!”

I looked away and quietly pushed open the baby’s room door.

The big bed in the middle was neat and untouched, but… I swallowed the nausea rising in my throat and lifted the blanket. Under the pillow, a torn pair of fishnet stockings was crumpled up. Beside it, an empty box lay discarded.

None of that mattered. I kept searching and saw strands of chestnut curls tangled with short black hairs. I picked up a few and slipped them into my pocket.

The baby lay in the crib and breathed softly and peacefully. My chest tightened. I hesitated for a moment before finally reaching out.

The second I plucked a few strands of fine baby hair, a wail split the air. Startled, I quickly scooped the baby into my arms and swayed gently in an attempt to calm her.

Then, behind me, a voice suddenly rang out. “Ms. Johnson, what are you doing here?”

Instinctively, I started to turn around.

But reason kicked in just in time. I forced myself to stay still. I acted as if nothing had happened. I continued to pat the baby’s back.

When Summer finally walked up to me, I let out a sigh, as if relieved, and carefully placed the baby into her arms.

Back in my bedroom, I got dressed and headed out without hesitation. I ignored the suspicious look Summer shot my way.

I had three paternity tests done for Albert, Summer, Paulina, and myself. The doctor told me it would take a week to get the results.

I nodded. I stood by the elevator for a long moment before finally pressing the button that would take me to the maternity ward.

I needed to know the truth about my baby.

The elevator shot up, and the slight weightlessness made me shut my eyes. Just thinking about the results was enough to make my chest tighten. My heart clenched so hard it felt like I could not breathe.

“Dr. Lambert, tell me. What happened to my baby?”

Dr. Lambert looked shocked and flustered when he saw me. The second I spoke, his face turned ghostly pale.

I threatened him, “Don’t tell anyone I was here today. Especially Albert. If you do, I’ll go to the police. What you did that day was already a crime.”

He dropped his gaze. Guilt was all over his face. He dared not look at me.

“I got rid of the baby that same day. Mr. Griffin told me to do it quickly and leave no trace behind.”

On the drive home, Dr. Lambert’s words played in my head on repeat. Every time I heard them in my mind, it felt like a fresh stab to the heart. The anger burning inside me only grew stronger.

That night, Albert walked in with a wide grin and a big announcement.

[I’m throwing Paulina a huge one-month celebration. I want everyone to see how happy our family is!]

His eyes were bright with excitement, and he seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood. Even his movements felt lighter and more effortless than usual.

And my baby… never even got a proper funeral.

I blinked hard, then gave him a calm, expressionless nod.