Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 41:

Kallie trembled all over, but this time, she didn’t resist. It wasn’t until Jake laid her on the bed that she suddenly remembered something important. Flustered, she raised her hand to stop him, gesturing that she was in her fertile days and he needed to use protection.

Embarrassment overwhelmed her as she struggled to meet Jake’s gaze, hinting at her concern through her gestures. Jake hesitated for a moment, then got up to rummage through the bedside drawer. When he returned and pressed down on her again, Kallie heard him chuckle softly.

“We’re an old married couple. Why are you still so shy?”

The phrase “old married couple” stung Kallie. While it might be true in some ways, she felt more like a stranger sharing space with Jake than his wife. Exhausted by their intimacy, Kallie barely made it to the studio by noon the next day. Immediately, she noticed someone was missing: Yvette, the woman who had tried to seduce Jake the day before, was nowhere in sight.

Upon asking around, Kallie discovered that Yvette had been fired. This was Jake’s way of resolving the issue, direct and uncompromising. But Kallie couldn’t shake the unease creeping up her spine. Did Jake have this much influence over Hayden’s studio? Was Hayden being forced into these decisions?

Though Hayden had always been close with Roderick, Kallie had no idea Jake had also built a private connection with him. Seizing the opportunity when Hayden had a free moment, she decided to approach him for answers.

She directly asked about Yvette’s sudden dismissal. Hayden explained that Yvette had been let go due to incompetence, answering her question as straightforwardly as it had been posed.

After a moment of contemplation, Kallie asked if Jake had pressured him into making this decision. Hayden’s expression tightened slightly, but he didn’t offer a direct answer. Feeling uneasy, Kallie pressed the issue, wondering if her presence at the studio was causing problems for Hayden.

Hayden reassured her that no one was pressuring him, and that her concerns were misplaced. He shook his head, trying to ease her worry. Still, Kallie felt guilt gnawing at her. Was Hayden just being kind to her, refusing to hold her accountable for any trouble she might have caused?

he reminded her to pass her payment details to

feeling she had caused issues for Hayden, was on the verge of refusing the money as a way to compensate him. However, Hayden quickly adopted a more serious tone, explaining that the studio had a rule: an apprentice’s income from their first task would never be reduced. The entire half-million was

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wanted to refuse, but Hayden had already signaled Gregory to process

Hayden was deliberately steering the conversation away from their earlier discussion, choosing not to delve deeper

will take a five percent commission on each task,” Gregory informed her as he completed the transfer. “I’m not sure if Hayden mentioned it, but

reasonable commission rate. Still concerned about potential issues, she hesitated before asking Gregory if Hayden could protect himself from being pushed around by clients like

question and then laughed. “Are

concerned about the problems Jake might

to explain everything and apologize to Hayden in person,” Gregory reassured her. “Anyone who stirs up trouble

shrugging. “Hayden’s reputation is solid. You’ve got nothing to worry about. If any trouble

reassurances, Kallie felt more

dinner alone. Jake hadn’t returned yet. Her mind wandered to an article she’d read earlier about the grand opening of a romantic restaurant in South Harbor, the kind of place that

which meant Jake probably wouldn’t be home tonight. Deciding to clear her mind, Kallie changed clothes and

Kallie arrived, Linsey could sense something was off.

and briefly explained her suspicions about Jake

Hayden and Roderick were close. Even if Jake acted recklessly, he wouldn’t risk offending his grandfather’s friend. Maybe Hayden didn’t