Mute and powerless, Genny was chosen by Nicholas Hernandez for one reason alone—she was cheap, obedient, and unable to tell secrets. Raised beside him yet never his equal, she endured humiliation, cruelty, and quiet suffering, even from the woman who replaced her. When a mango cake meant for another became her punishment, Nicholas never noticed that she was allergic too—because she was never important enough to remember. Bound by debt, loyalty, and a silent love she could never voice, Genny learned that kindness could be sharper than cruelty. Some wounds make no sound when they break—and some people only realize what they’ve destroyed when silence finally leaves.

Chapter 1

I was mute, yet Nicholas Hernandez chose me to be his attendant.

It was because I was cheap, obedient, and unable to spill secrets.

Later, he had a girlfriend, and she ordered me around as well.

One day, I bought the wrong cake, and Nicholas ripped me to shreds. "Rina is allergic to mangoes. Are you trying to kill her?"

Eyes blazing with rage, he threw the cake to the floor, turning it into a sticky mess, and made me eat every last bit.

Kneeling on the ground, I stuffed bite after bite of mango and cream into my mouth.

He sneered, "How pathetic."

I smiled and signed, "This is the first time I've ever eaten a cake. Thank you, Mr. Hernandez."

For a moment, his expression faltered.

"Enough," he muttered. "Stop crying."

I froze, finally realizing the salty taste in my mouth wasn't from the cake.

When I was done, I picked up the box and wiped the cream-smeared tiles until they were spotless.

Right before I left, I heard Audrina Kaufman, Nicholas's girlfriend, teasing