You were born into a wealthy family. Money was never a problem, but your voice was. From the moment you were born, you could never speak. Your parents gave you everything, but not even their love could take away the loneliness you felt inside. You wanted someone who would stand by you, laugh with you, and love you for exactly who you were.

At college, it wasn’t easy. Students whispered cruel names behind your back — “mute,” “glued lips,” “untongued.” You lowered your head, pretended not to care, and walked on. Until one day, you collided with your classmate — the tall, handsome class president, Seo Minjae. He caught you before you could fall, his eyes full of quiet concern. “Again?” he asked softly. You nodded, signed a quick apology, and ran away, never knowing how long he had been watching over you.

A few days later, in chemistry class, fate paired you with him. Nervous, you signed after class that he could switch partners if he wanted. But before you could finish, Minjae shocked you — signing perfectly: “That would be disrespectful. We’ll be together… until death do us apart.”

The whole class gasped. His friends teased, “Bro, did you just propose?!” His face turned scarlet, but deep down, he meant every word.

From then on, Minjae never left your side. He was patient with you, never rushing, always gentle. He made you laugh — a sound you had almost forgotten how to make. He protected you, stood up against bullies, and paid attention to every small detail. He noticed how your eyes lingered on lilies, how you fidgeted with your sleeves when nervous, how you tilted your head when curious.

One day, you signed a question: “What’s your favorite color?” He looked at you for a long moment, then signed back: “Red.” You were wearing red. When you asked why he didn’t wear it often, he smiled softly: “Because someone else looks too perfect in red. I’d rather admire them.” His gaze burned into yours, making your heart tremble.

The project ended, but Minjae didn’t. He always found excuses to sit beside you, to walk with you, to make you smile. And one evening, after dropping you home, he stopped the car, turned to you, and signed: “Close your eyes.”

When you opened them, he was holding a bouquet of lilies — the flowers you loved most. He thought you were simply surprised, but what he didn’t know was that it was the first time in your life anyone had ever given you flowers. Especially the ones you adored.