Chapter 1

"Ms. Lloyd, once you make this decision, you won't be able to return for at least five years, maybe even longer. We'll erase your identity from the public. Because of the sensitive nature of our company's research, no one will be able to find you during this time. I hope you understand this."

"I understand."

Rachel Lloyd hesitated for just a second before she lowered her head and signed her name at the bottom of the document.

"Alright. Everything must be finalized by October 20th. We'll contact you when the time comes."

Rachel glanced at her phone.

Today was October 1st. That gave her 20 days.

As she walked past a shopping mall, something on the big screen outside caught her eye. She stopped to watch footage from a press conference held last week.

William Lewis, the CEO of Lewis Enterprise, had spent three years designing a custom wedding dress for his wife. According to him, the breathtaking, one-of-a-kind dress, a gift for their upcoming anniversary, was meant to make up for the regret that she hadn't worn a wedding dress at their wedding ceremony.

The moment that dress was revealed, it took the world by storm. Everyone admired Rachel for marrying someone as wealthy and deeply devoted as William.

Girls walking by glanced at the screen, their wide eyes full of envy.

"Did you know? Their love story is like a fairytale. I heard Mr. Lewis remembers every little thing she likes. Even the tiniest details," one girl whispered to another.

"Yeah, and didn't she get into a car accident a while back? The doctors said she might need a cornea transplant. Mr. Lewis signed the papers without a second thought. Luckily, she didn't end up needing it."

"No matter how busy he is, he always gets her gifts on every holiday. That alone makes him better than ninety-nine percent of men," the other girl added.

Rachel's lips twisted into a bitter smile.

How she wished she still couldn't hear. Everything she heard right now only disgusted her.

A few years ago, William had gotten into trouble with some classmates. When someone threw a chair during the incident, Rachel had stepped in front of him and taken the hit. As a result, she lost her hearing that day.

Afterwards, everyone treated her like a freak. They excluded her from activities, mocked her, and called her names behind her back.

"Deaf girl."

They said it like a curse.

But William had come to her like a ray of light in the darkness, holding her tight while she trembled in silence.

"Rachel, you're not deaf. I'll be your ears. I'll never let anyone hurt you again. Anyone who tries—I'll fight them myself!"

She thought their love would last forever.

But now, it felt like fireworks—bright for a moment, then gone.

Just days ago, Rachel had been planning to tell William some good news, wanting to surprise him with the fact that she had regained her hearing. Instead, she found out that the woman he had fallen head over heels for had come back.

Rachel's hands were clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Their love was over. It might still exist on paper, but in her heart, it was already dead. She wasn't going to beg, nor was she going to stay. She was ready to completely disappear from his life.

Lowering her head, she carefully placed divorce papers into a small gift box she had prepared long ago. As she wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye, she stepped out onto the curb and reached for her phone to call a ride.

But before she could, a familiar black car pulled up beside her.

The man who stepped out of it looked as polished as always, dressed in a crisp shirt, tailored trousers, and shiny black derby shoes. When he crossed one leg over the other, the crease in his pants didn't even fold. His sharp features were filled with worry as he walked toward her.

"Rachel, I told you to wait for me inside. It's freezing. What if you get sick?" he said, quickly signing with his hands as he spoke, a bit anxious.

He reached for her hands and rubbed them gently between his palms, trying to warm her up. There was concern in his dark eyes as he guided her toward the car.

Rachel gave a small, bitter smile. Her heart felt like it had been grabbed and twisted tight. It hurt so badly, she could barely breathe.

Look at that. Turns out love can be faked too.

William buckled her seatbelt for her. Just as he leaned back, his eyes landed on the small box in her lap.

He pointed at it, asking, "What's this?"

Rachel looked down, hiding the emotions swirling in her eyes.

She replied softly, "A gift for our anniversary."

William's eyes lit up as he smiled gently. He reached out with the intention of opening the box.

However, Rachel quickly pressed his hand down. "Open it on the day of our anniversary."

William looked curious, but when she spoke like that, he never pushed.

He grinned, then reached out and playfully tapped the tip of her nose. "We'll do it your way. But first, let's retake our wedding photos."

William wanted her to wear the custom wedding dress he had designed—something no one else in the world had. He wanted to take photos of it now, to be looked back on when they celebrated their 50th anniversary one day.

Only Rachel knew the truth.

There would be no fiftieth anniversary—or any future for them.

What would William's expression look like when he finally opened that box?