The First Sound I Heard In Three Years Was His Lie Chapter 05
Mara: [Graham, don’t panic. You haven’t even begun to pay for what you’ve done.]
The moment everyone heard Mara’s voice, the room went silent.
“Was that Mara?” Graham’s father stared at the phone. “I haven’t heard her speak that clearly since the
accident.”
Graham’s mother frowned.
“I thought the doctors said there was almost no chance her hearing would return.”
Graham replayed the voice message three times in disbelief.
There was no doubt it was Mara.
Tessa shot to her feet.
“Graham, if Mara got her hearing back before the ceremony, does that mean she heard everything I said
onstage? And the $300,000…”
Graham went rigid as cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
Only then did he realize that Mara had been acting differently ever since they got off the plane.
Every time he spoke, something strange had crossed her face, almost as though she could hear every word.
The thought sent him fumbling for his phone.
“Your call has been forwarded to voicemail.”
He called ten times, but every attempt went straight to voicemail.
He immediately sent Mara a text.
Graham: [Mara, where are you? We need to talk in person.]
His text never showed as delivered. When his calls went straight to voicemail, he realized she had blocked
his number.
A sense of dread settled over him.
Just then, a court notification appeared on his phone regarding Mara’s claim for repayment.
Tessa covered her mouth.
“Mara actually sued you to get the $300,000 back.”
Graham’s mother immediately scowled.
“She’s about to marry you. Once you’re married, your money is shared. What do you mean, pay her back?”
“There was no promissory note. We’ll insist she gave it to you as a gift toward your future together. What
can she possibly do about it?”
“She’s probably just jealous because you treat Tessa so well. That’s why she’s making a scene.”
Graham’s father nodded in agreement.
“Take the jar of homemade hot sauce your mother made when you go home. Mara likes it, doesn’t she?”
“Just sweet-talk her a little. She’ll come around.”
Graham’s expression relaxed.
“Exactly. She always stops being angry once I talk her around.”
Tessa watched the three of them resume eating as though nothing had happened. Her eyes reddened with
panic.
“Graham, what about me?”
“Mara posted that I stole her paintings and used one to win the award. She also shared the International Art
Awards organizers’ statement revoking it.”
“Now my clients are demanding answers. They’re threatening to return every painting they bought from me
and demand refunds.”
Graham’s mother ladled her a bowl of homemade chicken stew.
“Tessa, don’t worry.”
“Graham has Mara wrapped around his finger. Once he gets home, he’ll keep her under control and make her
clear everything up for you.”
“You’re Graham’s good friend, and you’re like a daughter to us. She won’t dare come after you.”
Graham served her the best piece of chicken.
“She’s only doing this to get a reaction out of me. Once I go home and calm her down, everything will be fine.”
“I’ll make her apologize to you in person.”
“Eat. Mom went to the farmers’ market first thing this morning to get that free-range chicken just for you.”
Graham’s father took a sip of wine.
“Mara has no respect. Once she joins this family, my wife will set her straight.”
The cheerful atmosphere soon returned to the living room.
After dinner, Graham drove Tessa home first. Only then did he make his way back to the rental house, in no
hurry at all.
The moment he opened the door, he called out, “Mara.”
No one answered.
He set the jar of homemade hot sauce on the table and pushed open the bedroom door.
Everything of Mara’s that had been on the desk was gone.
When he opened the closet, only his clothes remained.
Panic finally set in.
He immediately called Mara.
“The number you have dialed is no longer in service.”
