Chapter 1

I, Isabella, have lived in silence for three hundred and sixty-five days within Damian’s Manhattan penthouse as his mute wife.

Over the past year, I learned obedience. Damian liked it that way—a beautiful, quiet pet that wouldn't disturb his thoughts. He didn't require a partner who could speak; he merely needed an ornament to accentuate his power.

Today, that ornament was due for replacement.

The staccato click of high heels against marble drew closer—crisp, arrogant, undeniable. Scarlett Wentworth pushed the door open as if she were the mistress of the house. A silk dress clung to her curvaceous figure; diamond earrings swayed at her neck, competing with the cold glint in her eyes.

"Damian says you can leave." She tossed a check and a document onto the glass coffee table. The sum of five million dollars glared under the sunlight, nearly stinging my eyes. "Sign it, take the money, and get out. A mute from a fallen noble family like you isn't worthy of him."

I lowered my gaze, my fingers trembling as I picked up the pen—a tremor practiced over a year until it was indistinguishable from the real thing. Just as the nib kissed the paper, the study door opened.

Damian Hawke leaned against the doorframe, his suit jacket draped casually over one shoulder, tie loosened. He said nothing, merely observing the scene with those all-seeing grey eyes, his expression unreadable.

I signed "Isabella Lawrence" on the divorce agreement, dragging out the final stroke like a scar.

Then, I raised my head and met Damian’s gaze.

For the first time in a year, I did not look away.

I spoke in pure, fluent English, devoid of any accent: "Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Hawke. This severance pay should be sufficient to launch my own venture."

The air in the room solidified in an instant.

"Have you been acting this entire time?" Damian's voice was low and dangerous. He stepped forward, his steel-like fingers clamping around my wrist with enough force to nearly crush the bone.

I smiled. Not the timid smile I had practiced for a year, but a genuine one, edged with steel.

"What else?" I shook off his hand with a motion so sharp it momentarily stunned him. "Did you really think I would fall in love with a man who destroyed my family and kept me as a pet?"