Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

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.

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

drying his damp hair, looking down at her with

head swiftly, instinctively denying it. She wanted to clarify

thin. He declared icily, “Don’t

she nodded. Jake’s love was not hers to claim. Their marriage had been arranged by his grandfather. Jake had bluntly stated he married her solely because she was the adopted daughter of

fully aware of Jake’s affairs, yet

a glass of milk for him. Without the courage to meet Jake’s indifferent gaze,

Jake picked up his phone and dismissively deleted

habits, had a delicate stomach. For years, Kallie had meticulously prepared his breakfast

was Kallie, bustling about the kitchen. The strings of her apron accentuated Kallie’s slender waist, while faint hickeys lingered on her neck from the night

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

nodded vigorously and signed her gratitude. She removed her apron and seated herself carefully next to him, closer than they’d ever been. Jake passed her a sandwich, which Kallie accepted with a

manner, Jake mentioned, “Tomorrow’s my brother’s baby’s hundred-day celebration.

seldom invited her to public gatherings. Yet here he was, asking her to join him for such an occasion. Her eyes flickered with hesitation and conflict, a trace of reluctance crossing

drop off some clothes tomorrow and pick you

no other

the eldest son, was celebrating his firstborn’s hundred-day milestone with a