Silence has long been Ethan's refuge. Since the day trauma stole his voice, he has forgotten what it feels like to be heard. Then Mia arrives at the center, radiant, persistent, and carrying a smile that refuses to fade. She speaks, he listens. She laughs, he writes. Together they weave their own language, stitched with patience, gestures, and unspoken promises. With Mia, Ethan begins to believe that silence doesn't have to mean loneliness, and that sometimes the most powerful conversations happen without words. But behind every smile lies a shadow, and even the strongest bonds can be tested. Because sometimes, even in silence, the heart speaks the loudest truths. --------------------------------------------- Standalone