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 . " M 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 so and deeply devoted as William . Girls walking by glanced at the screen , their wide eyes full of envy . ne as wealthy " 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 tight them myself ! " Chapter 1 +25 BONUS 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 ? Chapter 2