After Pretending to be Mute for Eight Years, My Boyfriend Left Me

Venice's boyfriend, Kevin, was the proud heir of the McAuliffe family in Los Angeles.

She, on the other hand, was just the mute owner of a small café—at least, that's what everyone thought.

When the McAuliffe family fell into chaos, it was Venice who saved him, who stayed by his side through the darkest three years of his life.

Later, the McAuliffe family sent twelve Maybachs and a hundred bodyguards to escort Kevin back to the McAuliffe estate. Overnight, he became the long-lost heir of the McAuliffe empire.

At his inauguration, a reporter asked, "And the mute young lady beside you—who is she?"

Kevin looked straight at the camera and replied coldly, "Just a caretaker. A mute like her isn't worthy of the McAuliffe family name."

Venice smiled. She had never been mute—and she certainly wasn't some small café owner.

That was all an act.

In truth, she was the only daughter of the world's richest man.

Picking up her phone, she made a single call.

"Tell him I've agreed. The wedding will be in seven days."

Her groom? Adam McAuliffe, Kevin's younger uncle.

——

Venice was nothing more than the quiet owner of a small, nameless café—a mute woman with no background. Yet she was also the one who had saved Kevin's life.

When assassins came for him, she shielded him with her own body and stayed through three years of hardship by his side.

Later, the McAuliffe family sent twelve Maybachs and a hundred bodyguards to escort Kevin back to the McAuliffe estate. Overnight, he became the long-lost heir of the McAuliffe empire.

Before leaving, he had cupped her face and whispered, "Venice, trust me. Once I've cleared every obstacle and officially become the McAuliffe heir, I'll marry you."

Because of that promise, she kept waiting.

From the age of twenty to twenty-five, she belonged to him. For five long years, she gave him everything—her time, her love, her body. The used condoms alone could circle her coffee shop ten times.

On her twenty-fifth birthday, Kevin told her mysteriously, "I have a special surprise for you tonight."

Venice's heart fluttered. She spent the entire day preparing—carefully curling her hair, putting on soft makeup, and slipping into a delicate cocktail dress.

She waited in the grand villa they shared, every minute an ache of anticipation.

But the man she waited for never came.

Instead, she saw him—on live television.

Kevin stood beneath a cascade of flashing lights, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his handsome features sharp and refined as he officially announced his takeover of the McAuliffe Group.

The reporter smiled.

"Congratulations, Mr. McAuliffe. May I ask a few personal questions?"

He accepted the microphone with a practiced charm.

"I know what you're going to ask. Yes—I'm getting engaged."

The crowd fell silent, waiting for the second half of the sentence.

"My fiancée," Kevin said, smiling at the camera, "is Miss Stefanie Cervantes."

Of course everyone knew that name.

Stefanie was the eldest daughter of the powerful Cervantes family—his godsister.

"Stefanie devoted her youth to me," he continued gently. "I can't make her wait any longer. Seven days from now, we'll hold our engagement banquet at the Pearl Tower. I hope you'll all attend."

Venice staggered back, her face turning white.

What about her?

She had stayed with him through the hardest three years of his life, waited another five, given him eight years of her youth—only to watch him announce another woman as his bride.

The revelation spread across the internet like wildfire, climbing the trending searches within minutes.

Another reporter pressed, "But Mr. McAuliffe, wasn't there a mute café owner who once saved your life? Some say she even offered herself to repay the debt. Does she know about your engagement?"

Kevin's expression remained cold and composed.

"A mute woman isn't worthy of the McAuliffe family name. She was just my caretaker."

Standing before the television, Venice shut her eyes as silent tears streamed down her face.

That night, she packed her belongings.

At dawn, she planned to disappear from Kevin's world forever.

But when she woke up, she found herself lying on the cold ground of the villa courtyard—and her beloved dog, the one that had followed her faithfully for five years, was hanging in midair.

Suspended by a drone.

Her blood froze. She frantically raised her hands, signing with trembling fingers.

[Kevin, what are you doing?! Put my dog down!]

Dressed immaculately in a dark suit, Kevin sat on a nearby bench, one leg casually crossed over the other.

"Venice," he said calmly, "I won't allow you to leave me. If you insist on going, then I'll just have to apologize to your dog first."

Her vision blurred with panic. Her hands moved rapidly. [I saw the news. You're marrying Stefanie!]

[You don't love me anymore—let me go!]

Kevin frowned slightly.

"When did I say I don't love you? Venice, I just inherited the McAuliffe family. There are still many internal threats. My engagement to Stefanie is a temporary arrangement."

"Once things settle, I'll call it off and make you my wife."

His voice softened, almost tender. "Until then, we'll live as we always have."

Venice trembled all over, her heart twisting in disbelief. She signed furiously. [Kevin, I will not be your mistress!]

But he ignored her plea and gave a small gesture.

The drone rose higher. Her dog whimpered in terror, struggling helplessly, eyes glistening with fear.

"I'll give you ten seconds," Kevin said, his tone now icy. "Ten."

"Nine."

Venice lunged for the guard controlling the drone, but he easily overpowered her, pinning her to the ground.

"Eight."

"Seven."

Her tears soaked the grass as she screamed soundlessly, [Kevin, you'll regret this! That dog—you rescued it yourself!]

He sat there like a merciless god of judgment, unmoved.

"Six."

"Five."

The drone rose to a hundred meters.

"Four."

Snap! One of the ropes snapped.

"Three."

Another rope snapped. The little body swung violently in the air. Venice's world shattered.

She dropped to her knees, sobbing, signing desperately, [Please! I'm begging you! Let him go!]

"Two."

The final rope gave way—the dog fell several meters before landing in a suspended net beneath the drone.

Kevin lifted the remote control. One button—one command—and the net would release.

Venice's voiceless cry tore through her throat, [Fine! I'll stay! I'll stay with you! Just let him go!]

Only then did Kevin nod. He ordered his men to lower the drone and handed the trembling animal back to her.

Venice clutched her dog tightly, her sobs shaking her entire frame.

Kevin pulled out a tissue, brushed aside her messy hair, and wiped her tears with practiced gentleness.

"Venice, you're the woman I love most in this world. I can't live without you. Stay by my side, behave, and get along with Stefanie. When the time is right, I'll marry you. Don't fight me anymore—I don't want to see you sad. It hurts me too."

The words were barely out when his phone rang.

"Mr. McAuliffe," his assistant reported, "Miss Cervantes just had a fight with her family and ran away from home..."

His expression darkened.

"I'm on my way."

He hung up, ordered the guards to watch Venice closely, and left without another glance.

Back in her room, Venice locked the doors and windows.

Once she was sure no one could hear her, she picked up her phone and dialed a number she hadn't called in eight years.

"Dad," she whispered, her voice clear and steady. "I've made up my mind. I'm ready to return to the Robles family and fulfill my engagement with Adam."

Adam was Kevin's younger uncle.

Venice had never been mute, nor was she truly a café owner. Her true identity was the only daughter of the world's richest man.

Pretending to be a mute had been part of a bet—a test her father set, to see whether Kevin's love for her was genuine.

And now, Venice knew the answer.

Her father was silent for a moment before speaking gravely, "Didn't you have a boyfriend? Does he know who you really are?"

"No," she said softly. "And there's no need. I'll be ending things with him."

Just mentioning Kevin sent a sharp pain through her chest.

"Tell Adam this—our wedding will be held at Pearl Tower in seven days. If he refuses, consider the engagement void."

Seven days from now, Kevin would be holding his engagement banquet with Stefanie at Pearl Tower.

Then so would she—a grand wedding in the same place.

If he was going to celebrate betrayal there, she would make sure he witnessed regret.