Chapter 1

Lucas and I were a couple with disabilities—his legs were paralyzed, and I was born mute.

To make ends meet and pay for his treatment, I worked three jobs a day. Then one time while cleaning windows at high altitude, I had an accident.

I survived the fall, but the baby in my belly didn't.

He held me and sobbed, cursing himself over and over for being useless.

"Don't blame yourself. We'll have another child," I mouthed weakly, using practiced sign language to comfort him.

Just three days after my miscarriage, I secretly returned to work.

But as I cleaned the last floor, a figure inside the glass window made me tremble all over. I nearly lost my footing again.

"Lucas, you keep making me assign the most dangerous high-altitude cleaning jobs to Summer. She already had a miscarriage last time. Aren't you afraid something will happen again?"

"You're faking poverty and disability to deceive her. You're going to get caught eventually."

Lucas laughed carelessly.

"Tanya insisted on playing this game with me back then. I wouldn't have agreed if she hadn't refused to come back otherwise."

"This game is almost over anyway. When Tanya comes back, I'll just find some excuse to tell Summer I can walk again. She's so naive—she believes whatever I say."

My heart seized with pain. Clutching my stomach, I let out a bitter laugh.

Never again, Lucas. I'll never believe you again.