My knees buckled the moment the floating text appeared in front of my eyes. “Lmao, the poor side character has no idea the male lead is just faking it. Does she? ”
I scrambled for the door, practically crawling.
The next second, a hand gripped the back of my neck and hauled me back. A low voice brushed my ear, smooth and very much alive. “Losing interest in our game already, wife? ”
My name is Cara.
Three days ago, I was a sign language teacher at the Starlight Special Education School. Today, I’m a character in a trashy novel. The Cara in this book is the daughter of the CEO of AAA Construction Supplies. Her father is, to put it politely, more ambitious than successful.
As for the man I’m supposed to marry, Dominic Blackwood is the eldest son of Hamilton’s powerful Blackwood Corporation, with a face that belongs on a magazine cover. Six months ago, he was in a car accident. His legs were crippled. His vocal cords were damaged.
He was confined to a wheelchair, a mute. The cause of the accident remained a mystery, but his younger brother, Vincent, seized the opportunity to take over most of the family business. To top it off, Dominic’s fiancée, Isabelle Dero, Hamilton’s premier socialite, promptly broke off their engagement and got engaged to Vincent instead. Heartbroken for her eldest grandson, the Blackwood family matriarch sent out an offer to the city’s elite.
Any family willing to offer their daughter in marriage would receive a fortune in dowry. My father, operating under the principle that only an idiot passes up a good deal, immediately contacted the Blackwoods. “I have a daughter. She’s willing.
”
When he came home, he tried to convince me. “You’ll be the first lady of the Blackwood family, living in a mansion, driving luxury cars. ”
My mother chimed in with her own brand of wisdom. “Most husbands pretend to be deaf and dumb after they get married.
Anyway, with this one, you get to skip the pretend part. ”
By the time I transmigrated into this body, the engagement was already set. There was no backing out. I decided to go along with it for two reasons.
First, Dominic Blackwood was undeniably gorgeous. I’d seen photos of him from before the accident. His features were so perfectly symmetrical they looked sculpted. Second, I was a professional sign language teacher living with a man who couldn’t speak.
This was my home turf. On the day we signed the papers, Dominic sat in his wheelchair, dressed in a sharp suit, his expression completely blank. He raised a hand and slowly formed the words in sign language. “I will never like you.
”
I just smiled at him. “I don’t care if you like me. I’ve always enjoyed a challenge. ”
On our wedding night, in the master bedroom of our new home, Dominic sat on the edge of the bed, his face like a thundercloud.
He raised his hands and signed, “We will sleep in separate rooms. ”
I turned to the butler and the maids standing by the door and offered them a pleasant smile. “Mr. Blackwood says you may all leave for the night.
Please get some rest. ”
The maids blushed and scurried out. The moment the door clicked shut, Dominic froze. His eyes widened and his hands flew in a blur of motion.
“That’s not what I meant. ”
I watched his hands intently and nodded with feigned sincerity. “I know you’re just shy. It’s okay.
I’ll take the lead. ”
He tried to push himself up from his chair, but his legs wouldn’t obey. He collapsed back into the seat. I took a step forward.
He flinched back. The wheelchair hit the edge of the bed, leaving him no room to retreat. I stood over him, looking down. The lamplight cast sharp shadows across his face, highlighting his ridiculously perfect features.
His cheekbones were flushed with anger. His lips pressed into a thin, tight line. Beautiful. Ten times more beautiful than in the photos.
I leaned in, teasing. “May I? ”
His fingers trembled as he signed. “What are you doing?
”
I smiled, my voice soft and coy. “Mr. Blackwood, I know your legs don’t work, but the important part still works fine, doesn’t it? ”
His face instantly turned a deep shade of crimson, the blush spreading all the way to the tips of his ears.
He shook his head, but there was no real resistance behind it, more indignation than refusal. His mouth opened and closed, no sound coming out, but his eyes never left mine. I laughed softly. “You could stop me anytime you wanted, couldn’t you?
”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. By the time we were finished, the sun was beginning to rise. Dominic lay on the bed, his eyes distant as he stared at the ceiling.
I propped my head on my hand and just looked at him. The more I looked, the more satisfied I was. He must have felt my gaze because he slowly turned his head. His eyes were red-rimmed.
He opened his mouth, trying to say something but couldn’t. Finally, he turned away, his eyelashes trembling with a hint of moisture. That just made me like him more. Hamilton’s most beautiful man was all mine.
The next day, I wheeled Dominic to the main Blackwood estate to pay our respects to his mother. Catherine Blackwood was a woman of impeccable breeding, elegant, poised, and known in her youth as one of the city’s most brilliant women. The moment Dominic saw her, he began signing frantically. “Make her leave.
I want her to leave. ”
Catherine couldn’t understand sign language and looked to me for a translation. “What is he saying? ”
I smiled sweetly.
“He’s saying you mustn’t ever send me away. ”
Dominic whipped his head around to glare at me, his gestures becoming even more rapid. “I did not say that. ”
I continued to translate.
“He says he likes me very much. ”
Catherine’s eyes filled with tears. She took her son’s hand. “Dominic, darling, of course I would never send Cara away.
I was worried that because her family’s background is modest, she wouldn’t be a suitable match, that you wouldn’t like her. To see you care for her so deeply makes me so happy. ”
Catherine ordered the staff to prepare a grand feast. I gently placed some food on Dominic’s plate.
His face was grim as he signed, “Not hungry. ”
I turned to his mother. “He says he doesn’t like any of this. ”
Dominic was getting desperate.
“I didn’t say that. ”
I turned back. “He says he’d like some garlic oysters. ”
Catherine clapped her hands together.
“Oh, of course. You’re newlyweds. You need to keep your strength up. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some right away.
Several dozen for my dear Dominic. ”
A short while later, Dominic stared at a mountain of oysters, completely stunned. He sat up straighter, signing with more force than ever. “Mom, she’s lying to you.
Make her leave. Make her leave right now. ”
I offered a helpful translation. “He says this isn’t enough.
He says he’s going to give you three healthy grandsons. ”
The entire room fell silent. Catherine shot to her feet, her voice trembling with excitement. “Really?
Did he truly say that? ”
I nodded. “Every word. ”
She threw her arms around me, sobbing with joy.
“Ever since the accident, Dominic has locked himself away. I was afraid he would be like this forever. For him to say these things now, you must be a wonderful wife. ”
I patted my chest reassuringly.
“Don’t worry, mother. His main account might be down, but I’ll level up a new one for you. ”
Catherine was so thrilled she was practically dancing on the spot. She slipped a jade bracelet from her own wrist onto mine.
Then came the earrings. Then the necklace. “Someone bring me the ruby collection. It’s for my daughter-in-law.
”
I was dizzy from the sheer weight of the golden jewels. I glanced over at Dominic. He was still sitting there, his face turned a shade of green. On the way home, he signed furiously from his wheelchair.
“Cara. You lied to my mother again. ”
I folded my hands politely in my lap and looked at the driver through the rearview mirror. “Mr.
Blackwood says he enjoyed dinner very much. ”
Dominic’s fingers stopped. Then the floating text appeared in front of my eyes. “Lmao.
The poor side character has no idea the male lead is just faking it. Does she? ”
My smile froze. My spine turned into cold noodles.
Faking it. Faking what? The wheelchair. The silence.
The helpless, furious, oyster-abused beauty sitting beside me. The text continued floating. “She really thought she was bullying a mute man. Girl, run.
Dominic Blackwood has been pretending for 6 months. Vincent is so cooked. She translated ‘make her leave’ into ‘give me grandsons. ‘ Honestly, he deserved that for being dramatic.
”
My hand slowly moved toward the car door. We were still moving. My survival instinct did not care. It screamed, “Jump now,” explained to the pavement later.
The car slowed at the gate of our villa. The second it stopped, I yanked the handle. A hand caught the back of my collar. Not weak, not trembling, not helpless.
Dominic pulled me back with one controlled tug. My shoulder hit his chest, and before I could claw my way out of the situation like a raccoon in expensive silk, his mouth lowered to my ear. His voice was low, rough, and very much alive. “Losing interest in our game already, wife?
”
My brain left my body. I had professionally bullied a fake mute man. This was not covered in teacher training. I turned my head slowly.
Dominic’s face was still pale and beautiful. His legs were still resting beneath the blanket. His expression was still cold enough to freeze soup, but his eyes had changed. No helplessness, no confusion, only amusement, danger, and the deeply irritating confidence of a man who had let me perform an entire circus while taking notes.
I slapped a hand over his mouth. The driver pretended he had gone blind. Excellent employee. Dominic raised an eyebrow against my palm.
I leaned in and whispered, “You can speak. ”
His eyes curved slightly. I moved my hand. “Only when I choose.
”
I stared at him. Then I smiled. It was not a sweet smile. It was the smile of a woman realizing she had married a scammer with cheekbones.
“Driver, stop the car again. ”
Dominic’s hand tightened lightly on my collar. “No. ”
“You could speak and still chose drama.
We are both criminals of communication. ”
His lips twitched. I pointed at him. “Do not laugh.
You let me think I was bullying a tragic disabled husband. ”
“You were bullying me with accurate translations. That’s an art. ”
“You told my mother I wanted three grandsons.
”
“You signed too fast. I improved the message for senior-friendly emotional digestion. ”
Dominic looked like he wanted to strangle me with the seat belt and also keep listening. The floating text flashed again.
“The fake mute husband and fake obedient wife are a perfect match. Dominic’s hands are fighting for their life. She found out and started negotiating. Queen behavior.
”
The car finally entered the villa courtyard. Dominic released my collar only after the door opened. The butler came forward to help him into the wheelchair. Dominic returned to silence instantly.
Impressive. Annoying. The butler looked at me. “Madam, shall I prepare tea?
”
Dominic signed without looking at me. “Get out. ”
I smiled. “Mr.
Blackwood says to prepare rose tea and pastries. He wants to have a heartfelt conversation with his beloved wife. ”
The butler’s face melted with relief. “Yes, madam.
”
Dominic’s jaw tightened. “I said get out. ”
I patted his shoulder. “Exactly.
Get out and bring snacks. ”
The butler hurried away, eyes shining like he had witnessed a marital miracle. Once the door shut behind us, Dominic turned his wheelchair toward me. “From now on, translate me honestly.
”
I sat on the sofa across from him and crossed my legs. “From now on, stop faking entire organ failures. ”
His eyes darkened. “I never said I was helpless.
”
“You heavily implied it with the wheelchair, the silence, and the tragic eyeliner energy. ”
“I was in an accident. My legs are injured. My voice was damaged, but not gone.
”
“Can you walk? ”
“A few steps with support. Not enough for public performance. ”
I leaned back.
There it was. Not a miracle cure, not a fake injury, something more dangerous. A man injured enough to be pitied, capable enough to wait, and angry enough to make an empire bleed. “Why?
”
Dominic’s fingers rested on his lap. For the first time, he looked away. “Because the accident was not an accident. ”
The jokes in my head stopped.
“Vincent. I suspected him. I needed proof. ” His voice scraped slightly after several sentences, but he continued.
“The doctor said I would never stand, never speak, never run Blackwood Corporation again. Yet my private therapist found different results. Reports were altered. Medication was changed.
Staff around me reported every reaction to someone else. Vincent. ”
“Vincent benefited before I even woke. And Isabelle.
” His face went still. “She cried at my hospital bed and broke off the engagement two days later. Efficient woman. Terrible heart.
Excellent scheduling. ”
Dominic’s mouth almost moved again. I pointed at him. “Don’t smile.
I am still angry. ”
“You have been lying too. ”
“I mistranslated creatively. ”
“You made my mother order several dozen oysters.
”
“She looked happy. I almost died from oysters or embarrassment. ”
His silence was answer enough. I stood and walked around him once, studying him.
The wheelchair, the strong hands, the cold eyes, the hidden voice, the beautiful face that had tricked an entire household and one professional sign language teacher who was now considering a career change to villain management. “You fake being helpless. I fake being obedient. Honestly, husband, we’re a perfect match.
”
Dominic looked up at me. Something shifted in his eyes. Not trust yet. Recognition..
“Do not ruin my plans. ”
“Your plans currently involve pretending to be a decorative sculpture while your brother steals the family company. I can improve them. ”
“How?
”
I lifted the jade bracelet Catherine had given me for a consulting fee. His gaze dropped to the jewelry on my wrist. “Greedy. ”
I turned toward the empty room and translated aloud.
“My husband says I am beautiful and financially wise. ”
Dominic closed his eyes. I leaned closer. “Do not look at me like that.
Your mother gave these voluntarily after I improved your personality. ”
“Improved. ”
“She cried with joy. Your previous personality had no customer satisfaction.
”
His eyes opened. The floating text trembled. “Lmao. The side character is translating crimes into romance.
Dominic thought he married a pawn. He married a customer service nightmare with sign language skills. ”
That night, we made a deal. Dominic would keep pretending to be silent and weaker than he was.
I would remain his official interpreter. He would sign real information to me. I would choose whether the public deserved the truth, a lie, or emotional seasoning. In exchange, I wanted jewelry, personal safety, protection from my greedy father, and full access to anything involving Vincent, Isabelle, corrupt doctors, and household spies.
Dominic signed, “Too much. ”
I translated, “My husband says I deserve more. ”
His nostrils flared. I smiled.
Our alliance began beautifully. The next morning, Vincent Blackwood arrived with flowers. Vincent was handsome in the polished way rich men were handsome when they had stylists and bad intentions. He wore concern like a tailored coat, smooth enough to impress anyone who had not just married his allegedly disabled brother and discovered the entire family was an emotional zoo.
“Brother. ” Vincent bent slightly, voice warm. “Mother said you looked happier yesterday. I had to see it myself.
”
Dominic sat in his wheelchair beside the window, face blank. Vincent looked at me. “Cara, marriage seems to suit you. ”
“Jewelry suits me more, but marriage brought the jewelry, so I am flexible.
”
His smile stiffened. Dominic’s fingers moved on his lap where only I could see. “He smells like fraud. ”
I turned to Vincent with my most graceful smile.
“My husband says your cologne is brave. ”
Vincent blinked. “Brave? ”
“Yes.
Few scents would dare enter a room before their owner. ”
Dominic’s shoulders shifted. He was laughing silently. The traitor.
Vincent recovered quickly. “Dominic, I brought some documents. Nothing serious, just a few family matters. If you can understand them, sign here.
”
Ah, a test. He placed a folder on the table. Incompetency-adjacent language disguised as routine authority delegation. Even I could smell the trap, and I had only been in this world for three days.
Dominic glanced at the pages. His hand signed under the blanket. “He wants my proxy. ”
I looked at Vincent.
“Dominic says the font is too ugly and damaged his will to live. ”
Vincent’s smile froze. “He said that? ”
I nodded.
“He also says if you want him to sign family documents, bring mother and the family lawyer. He is disabled, not stupid. ”
Dominic turned his head very slowly toward me. I blinked innocently.
Vincent’s eyes sharpened for half a breath, then softened again. “Of course. I only wanted to lighten his burden. ”
Dominic signed.
“His face offends me. ”
I translated, “Dominic appreciates your brotherly love. ”
The floating text practically rolled across my eyes. “Dominic’s hands are fighting for their life.
She turned ‘his face offends me’ into ‘brotherly love. ‘ Translator of the year. ”
Vincent left without the signature. One point for the shameless wife.
Three days later, Isabelle Dero came. She arrived in white silk, diamonds, and the kind of perfume that announced old money and emotional mold. Catherine had invited her for tea because society manners were apparently stronger than basic self-respect. I sat beside Dominic like a loyal wife, wearing the ruby necklace Catherine had given me that morning after Dominic supposedly signed that red looked lucky for grandchildren.
He had actually signed, “Stop raiding my mother’s jewelry vault. ” Marriage is translation. Sometimes the meaning improves. Isabelle’s eyes landed on the necklace.
Her smile thinned. “Cara, that piece is from the Blackwood family collection. Catherine must truly favor you. ”
“I have a talent for being favored.
”
“Dominic and I have history. ”
I lifted my teacup. “So do expired contracts. We don’t frame them.
”
Catherine coughed into her napkin. Dominic looked at the window. His shoulders were suspiciously still. Isabelle’s smile cracked.
“I only mean Dominic and I understand each other deeply. ”
Dominic signed. “Stop provoking her. ”
I translated.
“Dominic says my wit is one of my greatest charms. ”
Catherine reached for my hand. “It is. I haven’t seen Dominic this lively in months.
”
Dominic signed faster. “Mother, stop rewarding fraud. ”
I turned to Catherine with wet eyes. “He says he is grateful you love me like a daughter.
”
Catherine cried. Dominic suffered beautifully. Isabelle watched it happen like a woman who had sold her seat and found another woman eating dessert in it. Outside the room, the floating text appeared again.
“She just turned ‘stop rewarding fraud’ into family bonding. Respect. Isabelle left when he lost his voice. And now the new wife is monetizing his hands.
”
I was starting to like the audience. My father arrived that afternoon. I had not missed him. Cara’s father, CEO of AAA Construction Supplies, entered the villa with the confidence of a man who had sold his daughter to a rich family and expected dividends.
My mother trailed behind him, wearing the expression of someone already choosing furniture in a house she did not own. “Darling. ” My father spread his arms. “You look well.
The Blackwood family is truly generous. ”
“That is one word for buying a daughter. ”
His smile stiffened. “Don’t speak so harshly.
I gave you a good marriage. ”
“You didn’t give me a marriage. You sold your daughter and forgot to read the return policy. ”
My mother gasped.
“Cara, how can you talk to your father like that? ”
“With clarity. Try it sometime. ”
My father lowered his voice.
“AAA Construction Supplies needs more cooperation from Blackwood. You should speak to Catherine. Your husband is not in a position to refuse you now. ”
Dominic sat quietly nearby, expression blank.
His hand moved. “Your father is stupid. ”
I glanced at him. “Yes, but unfortunately hereditary stupidity skipped me.
”
Dominic’s mouth twitched. My father did not notice. “If you forget where you came from, don’t blame me for seeking other support from Vincent. ”
His expression changed too fast.
Interesting. I smiled. “Go ahead. He likes discounted loyalty.
”
After they left, Dominic rolled beside me. “He will sell information. He already wants to. Does that hurt you?
”
I thought about the original Cara. A daughter priced like equipment. A marriage arranged as a transaction. A father who saw a disabled heir and thought not tragedy, not safety, not daughter, but opportunity.
“No. ”
Dominic studied me. “Good. ”
That word should not have warmed me.
It did anyway. Over the next two weeks, I learned the truth of Dominic’s recovery. He was not pretending everything. His legs shook after standing too long.
His voice became rough and strained if he spoke more than a few sentences. His right hand sometimes cramped after signing for hours. The accident had damaged him. Vincent had simply tried to make sure the damage became permanent.
Dominic’s private therapist came through a service Catherine never knew about. The corrupt family doctors had underreported progress and adjusted medication to keep him weak. Staff logs showed who visited his rooms. Camera blind spots appeared right before Vincent’s men arrived.
I helped with speech practice because for once my old life mattered. “Say this: my wife is always right. ”
Dominic stared at me. “Therapy requires honesty.
”
His voice came out low and hoarse. “My wife is insufferable. ”
I clasped my hands together. “Close enough.
Progress. ”
He signed. “Cara. ”
I translated to the empty rehabilitation room.
“He says he cherishes my teaching style. ”
Dominic reached for the cane beside him and stood for only three seconds, but he stood. The joke stopped inside my chest. His fingers tightened around the cane until his knuckles went white.
Sweat gathered at his temple. His jaw locked with pain and rage and pride. I moved closer but did not touch him. “Good.
”
His eyes met mine again. “Not today. ”
His stare sharpened. I folded my arms.
“You are not a tragic statue. You are also not a badly repaired racing car. Sit before I tell your mother you signed for twins. ”
He sat immediately.
Excellent. Threat-based medicine worked. The floating text appeared. “She found the one treatment plan stronger than physical therapy.
Grandson blackmail. Dominic stood for three seconds and I cried. Then she threatened twins and I laughed. This novel is illegal.
”
Vincent moved faster after that. He brought doctors, lawyers, board allies, and Isabelle to the estate for a family assessment. His smile was gentle. His words were poison.
“We only want what’s best for Dominic. If he cannot speak, cannot walk, and cannot manage stress, perhaps temporary legal protection is wise. ”
Catherine’s face turned pale. I sat beside Dominic, one hand resting on his wheelchair arm.
Vincent placed documents on the table. “Brother, do you understand? This only allows me to handle urgent corporate matters for you. ”
Dominic signed.
“I will bury him. ”
I turned to Vincent. “Dominic says he trusts his brother completely. ”
Dominic’s fingers nearly snapped.
Vincent relaxed. Catherine looked uneasy, but I squeezed her hand under the table. Later, Dominic glared at me in his study. “I said I would bury him.
”
“I know. You said ‘I trust him. ‘ Calm down. I was feeding him rope, not flowers.
”
His eyes narrowed. “Do you have proof? ”
I placed three files on the desk. Staff payments.
Doctor transfers. Isabelle’s messages. And my father, unfortunately, adding himself to the landfill. Dominic looked at the documents.
For a moment, the air between us changed. Not flirtation. Partnership. He finally nodded.
“Good. ”
“Say thank you. ”
“No. ”
I picked up the ruby bracelet Catherine had given me.
He sighed. “Thank you. ”
“Beautiful. The voice works.
”
The day Catherine found out, it was not dramatic. It was worse. She came into the private therapy room earlier than expected and saw Dominic standing with one hand on the parallel bar. His face went still.
Hers went white. Then his cane slipped. I caught his arm on one side. His therapist caught the other.
Catherine covered her mouth. “Dominic. ”
He lowered himself back into the chair, breathing hard. For once, he had no sign ready.
No mask smooth enough. His voice came out rough. “Mother. ”
Catherine broke.
Not a delicate tear. A full-body sob that made me step back because this was not my scene to steal. She knelt in front of him and touched his face with trembling hands. “You can speak a little.
You can stand a little. ”
She laughed through tears, then turned to me. I braced myself. Technically, I had mistranslated her emotionally fragile son into garlic oysters, grandsons, and ruby collections.
Catherine wiped her tears. “So my son was faking silence, and my daughter-in-law was faking obedience. Good. At least one marriage in this family has talent.
”
I stared. Then I decided Catherine Blackwood was my favorite rich person. Dominic closed his eyes. “Mother?
”
“No. ” Catherine held up one hand. “Do not mother me. You both nearly sent me into an early grave, but at least you did it with teamwork.
”
She turned to me. “How much jewelry did I give you under false pretenses? ”
I opened my mouth. Dominic answered before I could.
“Too much. ”
I smiled. “He says not enough. ”
Catherine nodded thoughtfully.
“I agree. ”
Dominic looked betrayed. The floating text shimmered. “Catherine joined the translation fraud union.
This family has talent and no adult supervision. ”
The board banquet was announced five days later. Vincent planned to make his succession official and sideline Dominic permanently. He invited media, board members, family elders, doctors, lawyers, Isabelle, my parents, and anyone else who enjoyed watching a wounded man get erased politely.
Unfortunately for him, we had better entertainment. On the night of the banquet, Dominic wore a black suit and sat in his wheelchair with the same blank face everyone mistook for defeat. Catherine stood behind him like an elegant executioner. I sat at his side in deep emerald silk, wearing so much Blackwood jewelry that my neck was making a financial statement.
Vincent took the stage first. “My brother’s accident changed all of us. I never wanted power this way, but for Dominic’s dignity and Blackwood Corporation’s stability, I am willing to carry this burden. ”
Isabelle stood beside him, beautiful and tragic.
I almost applauded. The floating text rolled in. “Vincent thought he was in a succession drama. He walked into a comedy execution.
Isabelle left when he lost his voice and came back when he found receipts. ”
Vincent looked toward Dominic. “Brother, if you agree, please sign. ”
Dominic lifted his hand.
“Begin the evidence. ”
I stood and smiled at the room. “My husband says Vincent should enjoy his last five minutes of oxygen. ”
The hall froze.
Dominic turned his head very slowly toward me. I smiled back. He should know better by now. The screens behind Vincent lit up.
First, the accident route, then repair records from the car Dominic had used that night. Then, a payment from a shell account tied to Vincent’s assistant to the garage technician. Vincent’s smile vanished. The next file showed altered medical reports, payments to two doctors, messages ordering therapy delays.
Staff spy logs reporting Dominic’s reactions, sleep, medication, appetite, and visitors. A family elder stood up. “What is this? ”
I looked down at Dominic.
His fingers moved. “He tried to bury me alive in paperwork. ”
I translated clearly. “Dominic says Vincent mistook brotherhood for a shovel.
”
A sharp gasp ran through the room. Vincent stepped forward. “This is absurd. Dominic cannot even understand these matters.
Cara is manipulating him. ”
“Am I? ” I tilted my head. “How rude.
I usually charge extra for manipulation. ”
Vincent pointed at Dominic. “Ask him to speak then. Let him explain.
He can’t. ”
The room shifted. There it was, the cruelty under the concern. Dominic placed one hand on the table.
Catherine’s fingers tightened on the back of his chair. Slowly, painfully, Dominic pushed himself up. Not fully, not easily. His cane braced against the floor.
His face went pale. Sweat touched his hairline, but he stood enough for the room to lose its breath. Then he spoke. Low, rough, unmistakable.
“I was silent. I was never powerless. ”
The room exploded. Catherine wept silently behind him.
For once, I did not joke. Some moments deserve to stand untouched. Dominic sat back down before his legs gave out. I reached for his hand under the table.
He took it. The floating text blurred. “The male lead found his voice and Vincent lost his soul. ”
Vincent’s face twisted.
“This is a trick. ”
The screen answered. Messages between Vincent and Isabelle appeared next. “He will never recover enough to challenge you.
If Catherine resists, use the doctors. Once Dominic is declared incompetent, the engagement announcement will look merciful. ”
Then Isabelle’s message. “The public must remember him as tragic, not powerful.
No one wants a broken heir. ”
Isabelle staggered back. Vincent turned on her immediately. “You said those things.
”
Her face went pale. “You asked me to support your plan. ”
“Support, not confess in writing. ”
A ripple of laughter went through the room.
Beautiful. Betrayers always became literate at the worst times. Isabelle looked at Dominic. “Dominic, we had history.
”
I lifted my brows. “So do expired contracts. We don’t frame them. ”
Her eyes filled.
“I was scared. You changed after the accident. Vincent was there. He could speak.
He could protect. ”
Dominic’s voice cut through her. “When I lost my voice, you chose the man who spoke louder. Now listen carefully while I choose my wife.
”
His hand tightened around mine. Publicly. Firmly. No translation needed.
Isabelle’s face collapsed. There went Hamilton’s premier socialite. Catherine stepped forward. Vincent turned to her at once.
“Mother, you know me. I am your son too. ”
Catherine looked at him as if watching a coffin being lowered. “I mourned one son after the accident.
Today, I bury the other while he is still breathing. ”
The hall went silent. Vincent actually flinched. Catherine lifted her chin.
“The Blackwood family withdraws all protection from Vincent Blackwood. The board will review his position immediately. The doctors, staff, and assistants involved will answer to investigators. ”
Vincent’s lips trembled with rage.
“You choose him again. Always him. I was always second. ”
I smiled.
“Being second was your birth order. Becoming trash was your hobby. ”
He lunged toward the table. Security moved.
Dominic’s hand lifted. “Take him out. ”
I translated. “My husband says security may finally become useful.
”
They removed Vincent while he shouted that Blackwood belonged to him. It did not. Not anymore. My father tried to sneak out during the chaos.
The screen caught him. Next. Messages with Vincent. Payments.
Notes about my habits. Dominic’s private reactions. Catherine’s trust in me. And suggestions on how to pressure me through my parents.
AAA Construction Supplies contracts appeared beside the payment records. My father’s face turned gray. I walked down from the stage and stopped in front of him. “I am your father.
” His voice shook. “I gave you this marriage. ”
“You didn’t give me a marriage. You sold your daughter and forgot to read the return policy.
”
My mother began crying softly. “Cara, we only wanted you to live well. ”
“Motherhood is not a coupon code for forgiveness. ”
Catherine’s voice followed from the stage.
“Blackwood Corporation terminates all cooperation with AAA Construction Supplies. Effective immediately. ”
My father swayed. “Vincent promised.
”
“Vincent is currently being dragged out like expired seafood. ” I leaned closer. “You sold me once. Don’t come back asking for daughter discounts.
”
That was the end of my family discount era. The aftermath was swift and very satisfying. Vincent was removed from every Blackwood position. His shares were frozen pending investigation.
The car accident, medical fraud, corporate sabotage, and attempted incompetency filing became public scandal. Doctors who had sold reports turned on him faster than he could hire new lawyers. Staff spies gave statements. Board allies quietly discovered they had urgent vacations abroad.
Isabelle’s engagement dissolved before breakfast. The Dero family issued a statement about being misled, which was rich coming from people who had raised her. Charity boards dropped her. Invitations stopped.
The same socialites who once praised her grace now whispered that she had abandoned one brother after the accident and clung to the other until he sank. My father’s company collapsed like wet cardboard. AAA Construction Supplies lost every Blackwood contract. Then every partner afraid of being dragged into the scandal.
He called me thirty-one times. My mother sent fourteen crying voice messages. I listened to none. Parents who auctioned daughters did not get customer service.
Dominic reclaimed Blackwood Corporation gradually, not magically. Some days he used a cane. Some days he used the wheelchair. Some meetings he spoke three sentences and signed the rest.
Nobody dared mistake silence for weakness again. I became his official interpreter. This was both powerful and dangerous. For other people.
At the launch of Blackwood Corporation’s accessibility program, I stood on stage with students from Starlight Special Education School. Children signed their names. Employees learned basic conversation. Catherine cried into an embroidered handkerchief.
Dominic watched from the front row, expression quiet, eyes fixed on me. I had thought transmigration stole my life, but here my hands still mattered. Dominic signed from his seat. “You made my silence useful.
”
My throat tightened. Then I turned to Catherine and translated. “He says I deserve another ruby collection. ”
Dominic’s expression went flat.
Catherine dabbed her eyes. “Reasonable. ”
The floating text flashed. “She turned emotional healing into jewelry.
Iconic. The greedy side character did charity and still got rubies. Balance. ”
Months later, at a Blackwood family dinner, Dominic sat beside me, stronger, but still not pretending perfection.
Catherine had ordered lobster because she enjoyed watching us fight over shellfish like it was proof of marital health. Dominic signed something under the table. Catherine smiled. “What did he say?
”
I smiled back. “He says he is grateful I married him. ”
Dominic’s voice came low beside me. “I said you stole my lobster.
”
I patted his hand. “Marriage is translation, husband. Sometimes the meaning improves. ”
Catherine laughed so hard the butler dropped a spoon.
Dominic looked annoyed, but under the table, his fingers laced through mine. Later that night, he stopped me at the doorway of our bedroom. No staff, no audience, no fake silence needed. “You do not have to pretend anymore.
”
I looked at him. “I never faked the important parts. ”
His eyes softened. Then he signed slowly, clearly.
“I love my wife. ”
My heart did something undignified. I turned toward the empty hallway and announced, “He says his wife is beautiful, intelligent, irreplaceable, and deserves the ruby collection in every color. ”
Catherine’s voice floated from around the corner.
“Reasonable. ”
Dominic closed his eyes. Then, finally, he smiled. Not cold, not strategic, not hidden.
Mine. In the novel, I was supposed to be the greedy side character sold into a silent marriage. Instead, I became the only woman who could hear the truth in Dominic Blackwood’s hands, twist it into chaos, and make every person who tried to bury him kneel before the man they thought had no voice.