Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 18:

“You!” Linsey rushed to catch up, but Jake was already strides ahead, quickly carrying Kallie to the parking lot. He hoisted her into the passenger seat, fired up the engine, and zoomed off.noveldrama

By the time Linsey arrived, Jake’s car had vanished into the distance.

At the private hospital owned by the Reeves Group, a team of orthopedic surgeons was already on standby. Soon after, Steven appeared, sporting a smirk. “Been in a fight? Mistreated? Dude, I know you enjoy your games, but try not to overdo it, okay?”

“Shut up!” Jake’s expression was stern. “Organize the medical tests, and make it quick!”

“Alright, what should we look into? Maybe her brain and eyes? She nearly froze last time, and now she shows up battered like this, still hanging in there. Surely something’s off with her eyes or her brain!” Despite his teasing words, Steven moved efficiently.

Kallie was visibly scared of Steven, but she was in so much pain that she trembled uncontrollably and couldn’t muster the strength to protest.

Kallie was soon wheeled away for a comprehensive series of tests, administered a painkiller, and her injuries were addressed.

“There are no fractures, but the bruises are deep. I’m going to get you a cast anyway. Try not to move around too much,” Steven informed Kallie as he reviewed her X-rays.

Kallie nodded, her gaze lowered as she examined her splinted arm, showing no visible emotion. Her right arm was injured, rendering her unable to perform many tasks for some time, including using sign language to communicate.

Throughout the medical examination, Jake stayed by her side, his expression somber and unreadable.

Cautiously, Kallie glanced at him.

“What do you want to say?” Jake picked up Kallie’s phone and placed it in her uninjured left hand.

Kallie awkwardly unlocked it and typed a message. “You can leave. There’s no need to take care of me.”

Upon reading the message, Jake’s expression darkened immediately. “You really don’t want me around, do you?” he questioned, his voice tinged with hurt. She had been ready to leave upon seeing him at the course earlier, and now, after he had brought her to the hospital, she was dismissing him again?

“Fine, then don’t bother showing up around me!” Jake snapped, slamming the ward door as he left.

Steven, who had been standing by Kallie’s bedside, sighed. “Ah, Kallie, you’re just too laid-back. You should really stand up for yourself more,” he advised softly.

Kallie looked at Steven, startled by his bluntness.

“Managing relationships is straightforward, right? Keep him interested, let him fall for you, and then break it off. Who cares if you can’t speak? Your looks are enough,” Steven stated bluntly.

Kallie shook her head with vigor.

“What’s to be scared of? He won’t bite!”

Catching her phone, Kallie swiftly typed out a message for Steven to read. “I can’t do that. I lose all my dignity around him.”

Steven, not anticipating Kallie’s feelings, stared at her message in surprise before impulsively grabbing her phone. He then pulled out his own phone and took a quick snapshot of her text.

“Just rest,” Steven said tersely. With a flick of his wrist, he locked Kallie’s phone and tucked it under her pillow. “Get some sleep. You’ll feel refreshed in the morning.”

Kallie was stunned by Steven’s action of photographing her message. Before she could question him, he had already left the room.

Meanwhile, Jake received Steven’s message while he was at a lively social event. He had not returned to the golf course after leaving the hospital. Instead, he went straight to another gathering.

With a drink in hand, Jake grew introspective, his mood subdued enough that his companions hesitated to engage him.

Only Sarah, sitting next to Jake, seemed oblivious to his quietude, playfully asking for his help to peel shrimp.

When Jake glanced at the photo from Steven, he was mid-peel on a shrimp.

His eyes locked onto the word “dignity.” Memories flooded back of a dinner with Kallie, where shrimp had also been served. Kallie had peeled a whole bowl for him, placing it before him with a shy smile. Had he appreciated that gesture at the time?

Regrettably, Jake couldn’t quite recall, or perhaps he refrained from touching anything since he thought Kallie’s hands might have been dirty.

“What are you thinking about?” Sarah peered over, trying to catch a glimpse of his phone. “Honey, I still want those crab legs. Can you help me crack them open?”

“If you don’t know how, why not ask a waiter?” Jake suggested, locking his phone and gently brushing Sarah’s hand away as he reached for his drink. A half-peeled shrimp found its way into the trash can.

Sarah recoiled, sinking back into her seat with eyes seething with resentment. It had to be Kallie. Ever since Jake had left her standing outside the hotel, a subtle shift had occurred in their relationship. Kallie probably interfered somehow. How audacious of that mute to meddle and harbor fantasies about what could transpire between her and Jake!

Seizing the chance to head to the restroom, Sarah dialed a number urgently. “She’s at Grace Hospital today, VIP floor, in a private room. Find a way to get in there and take care of her immediately!”

.

.

.