Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 71:

Sarah’s proposal caused Irene to draw a sharp breath, visibly shocked by the audacity of it. If she hadn’t been holding herself back, Irene might have launched into a full-blown tirade right then and there.

Kallie turned to Jake, her expression unreadable. The thought of merely acting out hand movements, while her rightful role was being usurped without her consent, was a blatant insult to her dignity.

In the past, Kallie might have tolerated such slights, thinking that pleasing Jake would justify her discomfort. But she had learned that passivity only invited more disrespect and manipulation.

Despite her growing realization, a small part of Kallie still hoped Jake would intervene, that he would finally stand up for her against Sarah’s overreach.

For a moment, their eyes met in a silent exchange. Kallie searched for any sign of support from him, but there was none.

Finally, Jake spoke in a neutral tone, “That sounds nice. Kallie, come over.”

“How dare you!” Irene blurted out, her anger uncontained, her fiery gaze locked on Jake.

Kallie, however, responded with a calm smile—a rare, bitter smile that left even Jake momentarily stunned by its beauty.

With a decisive motion, Kallie made her choice: she quit the shoot.

“She’s not doing it!” Irene quickly voiced Kallie’s decision, her eyes flashing toward Sarah. “No one ever said Kallie had to participate. She’s here to assist, not to be forced into something she doesn’t want to do.”

Taking Kallie’s arm firmly, Irene led her toward the exit.

by the sudden turn of events, forced a tight smile and

smoothly, already adjusting the camera settings for the

stories

tweezers, the director paused her with a raised hand. “Hold on, your grip is off. It’s too clumsy. You could damage the artifacts holding the tweezers like that,” he

of confusion and embarrassment in her eyes. “How do

a clip from the previous day’s footage, showing Kallie’s technique. He played

tightening as she saw Kallie’s skill. The

proceed by picking up a magnifying glass, the director stopped her again, pointing out another mistake. “Your positioning is still wrong. Do you even know how to use these tools? We didn’t cover this

the unfamiliar tools, realizing she didn’t know where to start. Flustered, she turned to Jake, seeking help. “What should

Jake said flatly, reaching for his phone without any sign of

director replied professionally. “We only have this morning to shoot. This afternoon, the studio will be used by another crew, and I have

a seat, waiting patiently for Jake

became apparent that Jake couldn’t find

“Can you please call Kallie back to film the hand

hesitated, recalling Kallie’s firm stance during their recent conversations

a change in her—she was no longer the compliant Kallie who

Jake left the

gone far, waiting nearby

Jake called out as he

her voice wary and defensive as she stepped