The Mute Gamer's Love Story

A week before our engagement, I finally learned that the man Madison Clarke had always secretly loved... was me.

Overjoyed, I hurried to sign to her, wanting to tell her that I was LeoWinter—the gaming partner she'd been coupled with online.

What I got in return was ridicule.

"Charlie, how does a mute guy like you manage to pull so many tricks?"

"LeoWinter already told me his account got stolen. He switched accounts ages ago. And you still want to pretend you're him?"

It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head. My entire body went rigid.

She had forgotten that this game ID was permanently bound to the account. It was impossible for it to be stolen.

Being engaged to Madison was something I'd never even dared dream of before.

In our social circle, she was the textbook example of perfection—beautiful, brilliant, the kind of daughter every family bragged about.

As for me, although our families were considered equals in status... I was mute.

Madison had never liked me. I knew that.

The front door suddenly slammed open. Madison was home.

"Miss Clarke, dinner's just ready. Would you like to eat now?"

I hesitated in the stairwell, listening to the housekeeper speak to her.

Tonight's dinner had been cooked by me.

Even though our engagement was still a week away, my parents had already impatiently sent me over here.

They were terrified the Clarke family might back out of the marriage alliance.

"This seafood stew tastes pretty good."

The frown on Madison's face eased slightly as she gave rare praise to the housekeeper.

"Your cooking's improved lately."

The housekeeper, Bethany, chuckled awkwardly but said nothing, silently claiming credit for the meal I had made.

Then again, I was only a mute. Even if I felt wronged, I couldn't exactly defend myself.

Maybe she sensed my gaze, because Madison suddenly looked up. Her expression immediately turned impatient.

"If you're eating, then come eat. Why are you just standing there?"

I waved my hand, signaling that I'd already eaten.

I had just turned to head back upstairs when I heard her play a voice message.

[AutumnWind, hurry and log on! I'm not using LeoWinter's account anymore. I switched to a smurf so I can keep playing with you!]

LeoWinter?

Wasn't that my game ID?

Madison instantly lost interest in the porridge. Her voice softened with unmistakable warmth as she immediately picked up her phone.

Frowning, I walked downstairs and stared at her screen.

AutumnWind...

It really was her.

The same AutumnWind who had been my in-game partner for three whole years.

No wonder her voice had always sounded vaguely familiar whenever I heard it. My impression of Madison had always been too rigid—I could never have guessed someone like her would play games.

And not only play them, but become my in-game partner.

The revelation hit me so suddenly that my mind spun. I moved closer, trying to sign to her that I was LeoWinter.

The