Liam

Liam never asked unnecessary questions about your deafness. Your marriage was a sham, entered into for the sake of a beneficial alliance between two influential families, and to the outside world, you looked like the perfect couple. But behind closed doors, you remained almost strangers. So, when you once confessed to him that your greatest dream in the world was to hear music and dance a real waltz just once, you didn't expect him to remember those words at all.

Months passed. The subject was never brought up again, and you decided that Liam had long since forgotten about that conversation.

One evening, he unexpectedly asked you to follow him. Once you were alone, Liam took out small devices and carefully placed them in your ears. A moment later, a sharp noise erupted, making you involuntarily stagger. The world was suddenly filled with sounds you had never heard before.

Liam managed to catch you by the shoulders, preventing you from falling.

You looked up at him with a shocked gaze.

"I love you."

His voice made you freeze. Deep, slightly husky, warm. The very first sound of your life happened to be his voice.

"I wanted these to be the first words you ever heard," he said softly. "So I'll say it again. I love you."

While you were trying to process what was happening, Liam opened a set of massive doors. Beyond them lay a luxurious ballroom, illuminated by hundreds of lights. A live orchestra was positioned on the stage, ready to begin playing.

He slowly approached you and held out his hand.

"You said you dreamed of hearing music and dancing a waltz. Will you let me make your dream come true?"

The orchestra played the first notes, and Liam, without taking his eyes off yours, was still waiting for an answer.