Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 42:

“What do you think you’re doing? Stop it! I’m calling the police!” Linsey’s frantic voice filled the room as she reached for her phone.

But the menacing figures paid no heed. Some continued to ransack the room while others advanced toward Kallie and Linsey, their intentions clear. Linsey screamed, grabbing Kallie’s arm, dragging her toward the back of the bookstore.

Both women knew the layout well, dodging through the maze of shelves. But their escape was cut short—there was only one exit, and it was blocked. No matter how they maneuvered, they were trapped.

“I’ll call my brother to get us out of here!” Linsey said urgently, guiding Kallie into a cramped nook beneath the staircase.

In the tight space, Linsey whispered, “These guys aren’t here to negotiate. The police won’t stop them in time.” She frantically called her brother, Ethan, while Kallie discreetly alerted the authorities through her phone.

Kallie’s heart raced, realizing this attack might be aimed at her, not Linsey. Maybe it was retribution from Stella, Yvette, or even Sarah. Had she inadvertently dragged Linsey into this danger?

The voices of their attackers echoed through the bookstore. “Those girls are hiding, but there’s no way out.”

this before

acrid scent of gasoline filled the air. Panic gripped her, and she clutched Linsey’s hand just as a flick of a lighter set the exit ablaze. Flames

watering from the smoke. “I’ll

The fire was growing too fast. If they tried to fight it, they might only make things worse. The flames were no accident—this was a deliberate act of malice. Kallie felt the crushing weight of guilt. It wasn’t the Brooks family who had enemies—it

as she scanned their surroundings, her eyes landed on a small window high above the back

her voice trembling. “You’re thinner, and I can give you

behind. Ignoring her own safety, Kallie hoisted Linsey toward the window. This was her responsibility—she had brought this danger upon them. She couldn’t let Linsey suffer for

smoke thickened, making it impossible to speak. Kallie urged Linsey to hurry, silently pushing her toward the

I can’t leave you!” Linsey’s voice cracked with emotion. “I’ll come

reached the small window and pushed it open, the rush of air feeding the flames behind them. As Linsey climbed through, she turned back, but the smoke had already swallowed

gasping for air. She fumbled for her phone and pressed the emergency lock button five times, triggering an SOS. Her emergency contact was likely Jake,

closed in, Kallie curled into a corner, overwhelmed by the smoke. Time felt agonizingly slow, each second an eternity. Suddenly, through the suffocating haze, a figure appeared, cutting through the fire and smoke.

fire trucks had arrived, and the blaze was being brought under control. Linsey rushed

you okay?

away the smoke, her vision clearing enough to see Jake’s face, filled with concern and relief. He had come for her. In the