Chapter 1
“My name is Liam Walker. I… I don’t even know where to begin. I’m calling because I’m in love with someone. Completely in love.”
Chloe Thompson, unable to sleep late at night, turned on the radio and was met with the rich,
magnetic voice of her husband, Liam–a man diagnosed with selective mutism.
Chloe had been married to Liam for three years. For the first two, they could manage a few strained
sentences, but for the last three months, even face–to–face, he hadn’t uttered a single word to her.
“It’s been three years since we last saw each other. I’m really looking forward to meeting you
tomorrow.”
It was painfully clear the words coming through the radio weren’t meant for Chloe.
“I love you, Isabella.”
***
Liam’s voice, usually so flat, carried more emotion than Chloe had ever heard. The confession ended quickly, followed by the host’s enamored and praising remarks.
But Chloe, propped against her headboard, sat frozen, unable to process what she’d just heard.
Their marriage had been arranged by their families. She’d fallen for him at first sight, but Liam kept everyone at arm’s length, a fortress of silence as impenetrable as stone. Only during their
initial meeting did his mother offer an explanation.
“Chloe, dear, you have to understand… Liam has selective mutism.”
Chloe called his mother.
“Chloe, sweetheart, still awake at this hour?”
Chloe’s nose stung, and a sob escaped her. Liam’s mother sounded alarmed,
“What’s wrong? Did Liam upset you?”
“You knew Isabella Rossi was back?”
Chloe froze. So, she was the only one who hadn’t known.
“I’m sorry, Chloe… I wasn’t entirely honest with you three years ago. Liam’s mutism started right
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after his ex–girlfriend, Isabella, left him.”
“I had no choice but to drag him to every single one of those matchmaking dates…”
“Pathetic, isn’t it? The heir to the prestigious Walker family of Crestwood, rendered mute… But don’t you worry, Chloe. No matter what, I’ll keep that stubborn son of mine in line.”
Chloe couldn’t remember how she ended the call or how she survived that long, lonely night.
Back then, she had researched his condition extensively. One listed cause stuck with her:
[Experiencing a significant external trauma.]
She hadn’t understood. She’d subtly asked numerous members of the Walker family but never got a clear answer.
She tried everything from talk therapy and ECT to gourmet meals and even chakra healing. She once took him to a comedy show, laughing hysterically herself while he sat rigid and silent beside her.
When he proposed, he seemed to gather every ounce of his willpower to say just one word.
“[Marry.“]
The joy she felt then was a stark contrast to the agony she felt now.
Of course, she could never cure Liam’s mutism. She wasn’t his cure.
A bitter taste filled her mouth, followed by a creeping fear. His cure was back. So, what did that make her?
Her relaxed hands slowly clenched. A wave of stubborn resolve washed over her. If Liam didn’t love her, there was no point drowning in this marriage any longer.
He wouldn’t divorce her. So, the decision was hers to make.
Fine. She would be the one to file for divorce, to completely step aside for Liam and his so–called…
cure.
Once her mind was made up, Chloe freshened up. Three years ago, she had given up a chance to study medicine abroad for Liam. Maybe it wasn’t too late to reclaim that path.
An hour later, she left the house, heading to a nearby mall to buy herself some new clothes.
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“Miss, Just so you know, this style just came in and that’s the last one in your size. It fits you
perfectly, if I may say – shall I ring it up for you?”
Chloe nodded, pulling a card from her purse and handing it to the sales assistant.
“I’m so sorry, but we have an unusual situation. Another client is determined to have this dress and
has asked if she could… make it worth your while to let it go. I know it’s an inconvenience.”
Chloe followed the assistant’s gaze to a vibrant girl in high heels, chatting animatedly with a man.
She stood up and took a few steps forward, her eyes meeting the man’s. It was Liam!
Then… this girl must be Isabella.
Liam’s face instantly hardened. His lips parted, but no sound came out. He stared expressionlessly at Chloe, then tapped his phone screen with his right index finger.
Chloe knew that gesture all too well. It meant he wanted to communicate via text.
[What are you doing here?]
[Are you following me?]
[Go home.]
Three messages popped up in quick succession, shattering any remaining hope she had.
Isabella clung tightly to Liam’s arm, smiling as she asked, “Liam, who is this? A friend?”
Then she swayed slightly, beginning to whine. “Can you ask her to let me have this dress? I really
want it.”
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Liam gave a soft, gentle smile, patted his phone reassuringly, and without even consulting Chloe, handed his card directly to the sales assistant to complete the purchase.
“A friend.”
Those words hit Chloe like a block of ice, covering her in goosebumps. She nearly lost her balance. So… her three years of marriage boiled down to this… being labeled a ‘friend‘ by Liam.
A light in the mall flickered. Instinctively, Chloe looked up just as an overhead spotlight came loose.
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t
BANG!
A sharp, explosive pain erupted across her back.
In that single moment, Chloe felt a warm wetness beneath her. Trembling, she touched it—her hand came away covered in blood.
The store instantly descended into chaos. Screams and frantic phone calls buzzed in her ears, but when she managed to look up, all she saw was Liam scooping Isabella into his arms, his face a mask
of panic as he scanned the area.
“Call an ambulance! An ambulance!”
She had never seen Liam look so terrified.
“Sir, I’m sorry, but this young lady needs immediate medical attention. The next ambulance will be
here shortly. Her injuries are critical.”
Paramedics carefully moved the semi–conscious Chloe onto a stretcher, only to be violently
blocked by a furious Liam.
“Save her first!”
With that, Chloe felt a strong shove, sending her tumbling off the stretcher onto the hard floor. The jolt of pain cleared her fading consciousness.
She watched, helpless, as Liam gently placed Isabella onto the stretcher.
“Sir, she only has a sprained wrist! It’s not serious!”
“You’re misusing emergency medical resources!”
“Her hands are her livelihood! She’s a surgeon, for God’s sake!”
Chloe was stunned. This was the longest sentence Liam had spoken in nearly two years. And not a
single word of it was for her.
Liam finished speaking and immediately urged everyone to load Isabella into the ambulance.
Leaning against a nearby rack, Chloe gasped for air, but each breath seemed to pull at the wound on
her back, intensifying the pain.
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She didn’t know which hurt more–the gash on her back or the one in her heart.
Hadn’t she given up her own medical career for Liam? How could Isabella’s hands be more important? What did that make her?
A mechanical, hollow smile twisted Chloe’s lips.
She was just a… friend.
The pain finally overwhelmed her, and she lost consciousness.
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