Chapter 1

I was William's childhood friend who couldn't speak.

He got into trouble, and I took the fall for him, spending over a decade in prison.

Before I went in, he cried and said, "Lily, I've wronged you. I'll wait for you to come out and treat you right."

During those years, William only visited me for the first three.

He had no idea what kind of life a mute country girl led in prison. The tough inmates came and went, but I remained, enduring it all.

When times got tough, I'd think of him. I'd remember the candy he bought me from town, how he said I was his girl even though I couldn't speak.

On the day of my release, William showed up in a crisp suit, driving a fancy car.

Next to him was a girl, dressed elegantly like a fairy tale princess.

That's when I learned she was his business partner's daughter. She liked him, and he couldn't turn her down.

So today, he said he was here to pick up his orphaned cousin from the countryside.

I remembered then – my parents had died saving him from a flood. I was indeed an orphan.

I just nodded, neither crying nor making a fuss. I played along with his act of us being cousins.

The truth was, I had cancer. My dying wish was to see William one last time. I was afraid he wouldn't be able to let me go.

Now I wasn't afraid anymore.

Later, he would lose everything trying to save me, saying he wanted nothing but his Lily back.

I shook my head, clumsily using my last bit of strength to sign: William, I'm leaving. Take care.