Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 423:

Sophie’s eyes darted around before she grabbed Jake’s hand, pulling him closer. She leaned in, her voice a whisper against his ear.

“Can you stay here? I know a bad guy hurt my mommy and made her sick. Bad guys are always hurting my mommy, and I can’t do anything to stop them. Please, can you stay and protect her?” Sophie’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she ducked her head. “When I’m big, I’ll protect my mommy myself. I won’t need anyone else’s help.”

Jake’s heart twisted in his chest. What a brave little girl, shouldering so much worry. He pulled Sophie into a tight embrace. “You’re a wonderful girl, Sophie,” he murmured. “This is my fault. I won’t let you or your mom get hurt again.”

Sophie looked up at him, confusion etched on her face. “But… you don’t have to. My mommy says only family protects each other forever. You’re her friend. You only have to protect her for now.”

A pang of hurt shot through Jake. “Your mom said that?” he asked, his voice tight. “She said I was just a friend? Did she say anything else about me?”

Sophie blinked, puzzlement clouding her face. Jake’s words were a mystery to her.

okay,” Jake said, masking his disappointment. “Take your mom into the house

unreadable passing through her eyes.

He had briefly entertained the idea

he quickly dismissed the thought. It felt wrong and manipulative. He couldn’t take advantage of her vulnerability; when her memory returned, she would be disgusted with him. All he could do

relentless in his search for Joanna. He activated every contact he had. Joanna had vanished into thin air the moment she left the

Lɑtєѕτ cнαρτєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛ovєls.𝗰𝒐𝓂

Jake found himself at a social gathering, face-to-face with a renowned investigator—a man rumored to

a verbal description. But this man was a real oddball and

proposing a toast to him. Jake had built up quite a tolerance over the years; he

but the man was getting impatient. He waved one

over, all hips and smiles. The man leaned in and whispered something in her ear. The girl nodded and gave Jake a seductive look. She sidled up to him and purred, “Hey there, handsome. You’ve got a great figure. Why hide your face behind that mask? What’s the mystery? C’mon, take it off. We want to see your