Chapter 1

“This is Julian Thorne, and I want to confess my love to someone special.”

Sleepless in the dead of night, I turned on the radio, only to hear the deep, resonant voice of my husband, Julian Thorne, who suffered from selective mutism.

I’d been married to Julian for three years.

For the first two years, we could still manage a few clumsy conversations, but in the last three months, even face-to-face, he couldn't utter a single word.

“It’s been three years since we last met, and I’m really looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”

The voice from the radio clearly wasn’t talking about me.

“I love you, Willow.”

Julian’s voice had never held so much emotion. The confession ended quickly.

Then came the host's envious praise.

But I sat propped against the bed, stunned, unable to recover for a long time.

Our families had arranged for Julian and me to meet, and I fell for him at first sight.

Yet, Julian always wore an indifferent expression. Only when we first met did his mother explain.

“Audrey, you must understand… Julian has selective mutism.”

I called his mother.

“Audrey, still up so late?”

My nose burned, and a hint of a sob escaped my lips. Julian’s mother sounded flustered.

“What’s wrong? Did Julian upset you?”

“Did you know Willow Evans was back?”

I froze. So, I was the only one who didn’t know.

“I’m sorry, Audrey… I wasn’t honest with you three years ago. Julian’s selective mutism started when his ex-girlfriend, Willow Evans, left.”

“I had no choice but to push him to find a new girlfriend…”

“It sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? The heir to the powerful Thorne empire, rendered speechless… But Audrey, don’t worry, no matter what, I’ll keep that boy in line.”

I don't remember how I hung up the phone, or how I spent that lonely night.

I looked up a lot of information on the condition back then. One cause listed was:

"Suffering a major external shock."

I didn't understand. I tried to subtly ask Julian's family, but got nowhere.

Later, I tried everything: psychological counseling, electroshock therapy, food therapy, even some alternative chakra healing.

I even took Julian to comedy shows.

Unfortunately, while I was laughing my head off, he remained stiff, completely silent.

It wasn't until his proposal that he seemed to muster immense resolve and uttered two words.

"Marry me."

As happy as I was then, that’s how miserable I felt now.

Yes, I couldn't cure Julian’s selective mutism because I wasn't his cure.

A bitter feeling welled up inside me, and fear slowly crept in. His cure was back, so what about me?

My loosely clasped hands slowly tightened, a stubborn defiance rising within me.

If Julian didn't love me, there was no reason to remain trapped in this marriage.

He wouldn't divorce me, but what about *me*?

If that was the case, I would file for divorce, completely freeing Julian and his… cure.

After making up my mind, I carefully got myself ready.

Three years ago, for Julian, I'd given up the chance to study medicine abroad. Maybe it wasn't too late now.

An hour later, I was out the door, planning to head to the nearby mall to buy some new clothes.

“Ma'am, this is the last one left of the dress you tried on. Would you like to buy it?”

I nodded, pulling out my card from my purse and handing it to the sales associate.

“I’m so sorry, another lady wants to pay extra for this dress… Would you mind… giving it up?”

I followed the sales associate’s gaze to a vibrant girl in high heels.

She was happily chatting with a man.

I stood up and took two steps forward, only to meet the man’s eyes. It was Julian!

So that girl… must be Willow.

Julian’s face instantly turned serious. He opened his mouth, but still couldn’t speak.

He looked at me expressionless, then tapped his phone with his right index finger.

I was all too familiar with that gesture; it meant he wanted to communicate via text.

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you following me?"

"Go home."

Three messages popped up consecutively, crushing my last shred of hope.

Willow, beside him, hugged Julian’s arm and asked with a smile,

“Julian, who is this? A friend?”

Then she gently swayed, starting to flirt.

“Can she let me have this dress? I really want it.”

Julian gave a soft, gentle smile and patted his phone reassuringly.

He didn't even ask me, just took out his card and handed it to the sales associate, signaling to pay.

"Just a friend."

Those words felt like a block of ice, raising goosebumps all over me.

I could barely stand.

So… so my three years had only earned me a single word from Julian: a… friend.

The lights in the mall crackled ominously. I subconsciously looked up, and the overhead light fixture suddenly came loose.

There was a deafening crash, followed by a sharp pain in my back.

In that single instant, I felt a dampness beneath me.

I trembled as I touched it, and my hand came away covered in blood.

The entire store erupted into chaos. Screams and phone calls buzzed in my ears.

But when I looked up, all I saw was Julian scooping Willow into his arms, anxiously looking around.

“Call an ambulance! An ambulance!”

I had never seen Julian so panicked.