The World Is Her Oyster

Yvonne Chapman risks her life to save Marcus Cunningham. She loses her hearing in the process and ends up being mocked and insulted by his friends.

Later, she runs the risk of becoming brain-dead when she insists on undergoing surgery—she wants to regain her hearing.

The surgery is successful. She plans to share her joy with Marcus.

However, he calls his first love's name when they're in bed together. It turns out he's never forgotten her.

Yvonne's love for him dies. She realizes there are more things in life for her.

She goes abroad, leaving everything behind, including Marcus.

"Mr. Cunningham Senior, I've made up my mind. I'm going abroad."

From the other end of the phone, Andrew Cunningham's voice trembled as he spoke. "Then what about your wedding with Marcus?"

"It's not happening," Yvonne Chapman replied firmly.

Andrew sighed. "I'm sorry, Yvonne. You've wasted your youth on my family. I'll get Marcus to compensate you."

Yvonne didn't care about compensation. She'd already repaid whatever debt she owed to the Cunninghams—they owed each other nothing now.

"There's no need for that," she said. "And please don't tell him I'm leaving."

Andrew agreed.

Yvonne was no longer the deaf woman whom everyone made fun of. With her hearing restored, she could pursue a better life.

Closing her eyes, Yvonne recalled her conversation with Andrew several days ago.

…

"I've decided to get ossicular chain reconstruction surgery," she had told him resolutely, even though fear gripped her heart.

The doctor's words still echoed in her mind. "If the surgery fails, it could affect your cranial nerves and potentially lead to brain death. Are you sure you're willing to take that risk, Ms. Chapman?"

Yvonne wanted the surgery because every time she slept with Marcus, he would impatiently take off her hearing aids. His friends often ridiculed him for wanting to marry a deaf woman as well.

At the time, she thought fixing her hearing would make him happy. Hence, she accepted the risk and went forward with the surgery.

On the day of the surgery, as she was wheeled into the operating room, she glanced at her phone one last time—there were no messages from Marcus. Then again, she was already used to his fickle attitude toward her.

Thankfully, she had been blessed. The surgery was a success.

Yvonne went home, overjoyed, and eagerly awaited Marcus' return. She wanted to tell him that she had fixed her hearing and could now hear as well as anyone else. To surprise him, she still wore her hearing aids, wanting him to take them off himself.

But Marcus was drunk when he came home.

Before she could do anything, he pinned her against the door in the entryway as soon as he got in. He gripped her shoulders tight and kissed her, not giving her a chance to speak.

It was the first time Yvonne had seen Marcus display such dominance and urgency.

He carried her to the couch, trailing kisses along her neck and