Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 28:

Kallie stood amidst the confusion, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched an empty wine glass. Her mind raced for an explanation that might dissipate the thick tension around her. Yet, she could only manage a helpless shake of her head while the piercing stares of the guests felt like needles against her skin.

Jake moved through the crowd with purpose, his presence commanding yet protective. As he neared, he smoothly removed his jacket and placed it around Sarah’s shoulders, a simple gesture that spoke volumes.

Kallie’s eyes followed Jake, filled with sorrow and a desperate hope that he might understand her situation.

But Jake’s face was a mask of cold indifference when locking eyes with Kallie. He spared her only a brief, dismissive glance before his attention fully turned to Sarah.

“How are you holding up?” His voice was thick with concern.

Sarah clutched at him dramatically. “My ankle’s all twisted up, I’m soaking wet, and just miserable. I can’t seem to stand on my own…”

The guests encircled them, a hush falling over the room. Murmurs, however, were not so easily contained. Kallie, standing isolated within the throng, caught snippets of their whispers.

“She’s the legitimate wife, sure enough. Don’t underestimate her because she’s mute. The schemes she concocts…”

“Mr. Reeves really has it all, a stunning mute wife at home and a mistress to charm society on his behalf.”

“And what a tragedy they are to each other. Really, with everything they have, why stew in jealousy?”

These fragmented conversations wounded Kallie deeply. She longed to defend herself, to tell her side of the story. She wasn’t the jealous spouse they portrayed her as. She had even suggested divorce to Jake.

But Jake had flatly refused to let her go, and it was Sarah who had woven this web of deceit around her. Yet, why was she painted as the villain in their tale?

Jake’s gaze met Kallie’s, a storm of unspoken words passing between them. Then, wordlessly, he turned away from her and lifted Sarah into his arms, his decision clear in his avoidance of Kallie’s plea.

into Jake, one hand resting gently on his

onlooker, Sarah appeared the victim, wronged and fragile in Jake’s embrace. But Kallie caught the true glint in Sarah’s eye, a smug triumph that no one else

crowd, Kallie felt an overwhelming urge to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the party. The guests’ stares were curious, some even piercing,

the door and out into the cool embrace of the night air. Freedom never felt so palpable. Outside, Kallie inhaled deeply,

her ride to the event, and now he had left with Sarah. Dressed for a

a black Mercedes glided to a smooth stop in front of her. The driver’s door swung open, and out stepped

why are you just standing here all

“Where are you headed? Let me

look. With a small, thankful smile, Kallie slid into the car. Relief washed over her. Meeting Ethan was fortuitous. Otherwise, she

the driver’s seat, Ethan sensed her curiosity as Kallie pulled out her phone and typed a message to him, visible on the screen between them. “So, what are

to leave early. I was just hanging around chatting with some folks. Figured I might as well drive you home,” he explained, his tone casual but his

rare public appearance was quite a sensation.

“Thank

been learning sign language,” Ethan said to Kallie with an enthusiastic smile. “I’m picking it up pretty quickly. Soon you

looking to Kallie for

heart skipped a beat at her smile. He then shifted the conversation toward their destination. “Where to? Heading

and showed Ethan the location of her and

frequent absences, she had never spent a night away from their home. She was determined to uphold her role, even

his eyes as he put the car in gear. The ride was quiet, and

butler emerged, a mix of surprise

Kallie was just gathering her things to thank Ethan and dismiss him when

by his unexpected move,

about the banquet tonight. Jake left with another woman, abandoning her there.” Ethan’s voice held an edge

Ethan