Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 58:

“Ah, she wasn’t really sick back then. I made sure she received the best care,” Shirley remarked, her voice laced with a probing undertone as she observed Kallie’s reaction intently. After a brief, tense silence, Kallie nodded and managed a weak smile.

Kallie chuckled bitterly at herself. What could she possibly say to Jake now? Shirley had explicitly forbidden her from having children with Jake and even expressed a desire for her to divorce Jake soon, claiming it was for Roderick’s sake. How could she reveal her past pregnancy and abortion?

“Really?” Jake’s face remained impassive, betraying no emotion, and he refrained from asking further questions. He simply took a seat.

The meal passed in quietness and without incident, perhaps eased somewhat since Shirley dared not make things difficult for Kallie at the moment, given the recent topic. After they had eaten, Kallie subtly signaled Jake with a few discreet hand gestures. This issue hadn’t even crossed her mind before returning to this place. She asked Jake whether she could fetch and repair the teapot that Roderick had broken before his demise.

Without hesitation, Jake nodded. “I’ll come with you to pick it up shortly.”

Kallie felt a surge of relief and a touch of comfort wash over her. That teapot had been Roderick’s favorite. Unfortunately, he had accidentally broken it when his hands shook uncontrollably during his illness. At that time, Kallie hadn’t considered repairing the teapot for him, but now, having resumed her antique restoration work, the teapot sprang to mind.

Roderick’s study was situated in a smaller structure behind the main house. Despite his long absence, his belongings remained untouched. Jake escorted Kallie there but chose to stay outside. “I’ll wait here at the door.” Kallie acknowledged with a nod and entered Roderick’s study. She recalled precisely where Roderick stored the teapot and swiftly located it.

Clutching the box that contained the teapot, Kallie lingered instead of departing immediately. Gazing around the familiar room, she felt a prickling in her nose as tears began to cloud her vision. Memories of Roderick teaching her various lessons in this room flooded back. She reminisced about hiding under the desk to overhear his discussions with visitors.

This study was a cherished part of Kallie’s childhood. The last lengthy discussion she had with Roderick before her marriage to Jake occurred right here. Back then, Roderick had said, “I’m not asking Jake to look after you, but for you to look after him. He’s stubborn, dislikes socializing, and keeps his thoughts to himself. You were the only one he ever opened up to when he was younger.”

At that time, Kallie had responded with a resolute nod, assuring Roderick she would diligently care for Jake. However, as time passed, Kallie realized that Jake’s openness with her stemmed not from a special bond, but because she was mute and unable to divulge his secrets. Following their marriage, both Jake and Shirley ostracized Kallie, eroding her confidence in her capacity to care for Jake.

Roderick’s tasking her with taking care of Jake weighed heavily on Kallie. She thought perhaps she should give it another shot and not rush into divorcing Jake. Kallie herself wasn’t sure of her decision. She dried her tears and left the study, clutching the box.

Upon returning to the living room, Melinda approached Kallie with a warm smile. “Did you go get Roderick’s stuff?” Indifferent to what they had taken, Melinda smiled at Kallie. “Why not stay over tonight, Kallie? We could hit the shops tomorrow. Stay in my room. We can chat into the night!”

Melinda and Shirley were usually aligned against Kallie. This unexpected warmth from Melinda definitely raised suspicions. Kallie hesitated to agree, but the situation was too awkward to outright decline, so she instinctively sought Jake’s intervention. That was when she remembered Jake probably wouldn’t bother with such matters.

Jake bluntly denied. “She’s going home with me tonight.” Kallie was momentarily stunned, and Melinda appeared surprised as well. Perhaps Melinda hadn’t anticipated Jake, who normally disregarded Kallie, to now stand up for her.

“That’s okay, then. Let’s plan to shop together tomorrow!” Melinda stepped back, offering Kallie a reassuring smile. “I’ll come by to get you tomorrow!” Unable to refuse this time, Kallie simply nodded.

Kallie returned to the car with Jake. As they drove off, he turned to her. “You’re just mute, not incapacitated. You do have all your limbs, right?” Kallie’s eyes widened as she stared at him.

“If my mom punishes you by making you kneel, why don’t you just run away? Why not fight back? How could you just submit to her like that? Was she holding you at gunpoint or threatening you with a knife? If you refused to kneel, would she really have the bodyguards force you?” Jake’s voice carried a tone of impatience and frustration as he bombarded her with questions.

Kallie gazed at him, her expression one of sheer amazement, as if she had never known him. Jake was actually encouraging her to resist Shirley’s bullying!

Jake continued, “If something like this ever happens again, run and call me, understand?” Kallie nodded vigorously, tears beginning to form in her eyes. Today felt surreal to her. Jake was being incredibly supportive.noveldrama

Jake asked, “Has she ever treated you this way before? How many times has it happened? When? What exactly did she do to you?”

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