Chapter 1

On our wedding day, Alex Kingston was diagnosed with aphasia. He left me at the altar, saying he didn't want to hold me back.

I hugged him tightly, tears streaming down my face, and promised him, "I'll love you forever, even if you never speak again."

Alex was incredibly proud, and after that, he spent most of his time at home.

To make ends meet and cover his medical bills, I juggled three jobs a day. Even when I was on my period, I'd be soaking my hands in freezing water, scrubbing dishes for hours, and I never uttered a single complaint.

It wasn't until I passed out from a high fever that I heard him talking on the phone, his voice faint in my fevered haze. "It's been five years, Rachel. I kept my promise.

"I haven't said a single word to her, I've kept my true identity from her, and I haven't spent a dime on her."

"Isn't it time for that old promise to come true? Come back. I miss you so much."

I knew it. On the other end of the line was his childhood sweetheart. I didn't say a word. I just booked the earliest flight I could get.

It was time to end this game with Alex.

I wiped away my tears, lay back down, and called his name, pretending I'd just woken up.

Alex instantly went quiet. He rushed over, crouched down in front of me, and when he saw my eyes were red, he frowned and typed on his phone: [Why are you crying?]

I replied, "I dreamed you could speak again."

He suddenly shot to his feet and kicked the stool beside him. I knew I'd triggered him again. Every time I mentioned his aphasia, Alex would go off like a cornered animal.

He lowered his head, fingers flying across the screen, then thrust his phone toward me. [Emma, are you sick of me again? If you think I'm nothing but a burden, you're free to walk away right now.]

In the past, I would've just hugged him tight and sworn I'd never leave, no matter what. But this time, I only felt a crushing sense of helplessness washed over me, and it was swallowing me whole.

I rolled over and murmured, "That's not what I meant. I'm just tired. I'm going to sleep now."

The room was swallowed by a strange silence, and the old air conditioner rattled loudly in the background. Without saying a word, I grabbed my phone and booked a flight.

After that, almost hesitantly, I searched for Alex Kingston's name on the Internet.

Some headlines popped up in a second. He was the heir of Vireon Group.

Tears slid silently down my face, soaking the pillow. My nails dug painfully into my palms, like I was punishing myself for being such a fool.

I couldn't tell if I should blame him for hiding his background so well, or blame myself for loving him in such a pathetic way.

Why I didn't notice a hint for five years.

I didn't sleep a wink that night. Alex never came back to bed either. He stayed out in the living room, chain-smoking, murmuring love words in a low voice.

All those words were meant to comfort Rachel.

Whenever we fought, he never tried to soothe me. He'd just drive me crazy, and calmly type out: [Emma, I can't talk. I can't cheer you up.]

Even when I had the flu and was rambling nonsense from the fever, even after he called emergency services, Alex didn't utter a single word. The doctor thought it was a prank. If it hadn't been for the neighbor, I might've died that winter.

A bitter smile crept across my face. It turned out that, to him, my life mattered less than making Rachel happy.

Suddenly, I felt like maybe I didn't love him that much.

Alex got up early the next morning and laid out a full breakfast spread. This was something he almost never did. He even dug out a lunchbox he hadn't used for long, polished it until it gleamed, and carefully stuck on a bunch of stickers.

As if nothing had happened yesterday, he typed: [You're sick, so I made you some oatmeal. I added some peanuts. I know you like them. I'm heading out now to meet a friend.]

My hand paused mid-stir, and I froze for a second, my heart tightening as if it had been seized, because I'm allergic to peanuts.

I guessed Rachel was the one who liked peanuts. I was almost sure that Alex was going out to meet her right now.

Seeing me just sitting there, he gently ruffled my hair and typed: [What's wrong? Still not hungry?]

I lowered my head and mumbled, "Nothing. Go ahead and do your thing."

I felt nothing but calm inside.

He smiled, passed by me, picked up a pair of red gloves, and carefully tucked them into his bag.

I paused, confused. Weren't those supposed to be my birthday gift?

His phone on the table lit up with a message from Rachel Lane. [Don't forget to bring me a pair of gloves! It's freezing in Northbridge.]

I didn't want to believe what I had just seen.

Alex rushed over, grabbed his phone, and was about to head out when I called after him, "Do you even remember what day it is today?"

He hurried back, head down as he typed. [I know you're feeling down and want me to stick around, but don't worry. I'll be back before so soon.]

With that, he strode out the door.

I let out a choked sob, then suddenly broke down and covered my face as I cried.

It was my birthday today. I really thought those gloves were a gift from Alex. I'd been secretly admiring them for so long, barely daring to touch them.

I'd already pictured myself giving him a kiss when he finally handed them over. Now that it was getting cold, I would also buy him a down jacket.