Chapter 1:

During a stormy night, relentless winds hurled rain against the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the grand villa, light shone only from a single bedroom.

Kallie Cooper propped herself against the headboard, her eyes skimming through a book as drowsiness crept in.

Abruptly, the bedroom door swung open. Startled, Kallie glanced up to find her husband, Jake Reeves, standing in the doorway.

Jake loomed there, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, his attractive features marred by a scowl. Before Kallie could utter a word, Jake pressed his lips to hers, the smell of alcohol mingling with the freshness of the rain. His cold hand slid under her skirt, pressing firmly against her resisting leg.

In a thick, persuasive tone, Jake commanded, “Don’t move.”

Kallie ceased her struggles, the pain escalating as she emitted faint, distorted noises. At her sounds, Jake frowned and placed his hand over her mouth. Silenced, Kallie clung to Jake’s muscular arm, her grip desperate, as if anchoring herself in a tumultuous sea. She was overwhelmed by the time Jake released her and headed for the shower.

Moments after Jake disappeared behind the bathroom door, his phone on the nightstand came to life. Out of reflex, Kallie glanced at it and saw a new message flash on the screen: “Jake, I’m sorry, okay? Can you stop going back to your mute wife every time we fight? It’s really hurting me.”

The light faded from Kallie’s eyes. She realized she would never master the art of playful scolding or the tender grievances shared softly in the quiet of night.

Due to a childhood illness, Kallie’s voice had been stolen from her, leaving her unable to speak. She could only produce fragmented sounds, which even her own husband found unbearable to hear.

of the bathroom window, Kallie could see Jake’s tall silhouette.

was carelessly drying his damp hair, looking down at her with a dismissive stare. “Did you just look at my phone?”

it. She wanted to clarify that it was

thin. He declared icily, “Don’t touch

Jake’s love was not hers to claim. Their marriage had been arranged by his grandfather. Jake had bluntly stated he married her solely

five years, Kallie had never overstepped, fully aware of Jake’s affairs, yet she remained silent,

deep breath, Kallie gestured to fetch a glass of milk for him. Without the courage

Jake picked up his phone and dismissively

morning. Jake, notorious for his picky eating habits,

kitchen. The strings of her apron accentuated Kallie’s slender waist, while faint hickeys lingered on her neck from the night before. She was the epitome of gentleness, always serene and avoiding making a fuss, truly an

Jake’s usually impassive features. He broke the silence. “Let’s have

seated herself carefully next to him, closer than they’d ever been. Jake passed her a sandwich, which Kallie accepted with a

my brother’s baby’s hundred-day celebration. You should come

gatherings. Yet here he was, asking her to join him for such an occasion. Her eyes flickered with hesitation

Jake added, “I’ll have my assistant drop off some clothes tomorrow and pick you up

had no other option

celebrating his firstborn’s hundred-day milestone with a lavish affair. Dean had reserved a premier

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