Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 1073:

“So, I can talk to you now?”

Jake nodded slightly and extended a hand toward her.

“Sure. Come here,” he said softly.

Kallie hesitated, unsure of his intentions, but eventually, she took a few tentative steps forward.

The moment she was within reach, Jake’s hand closed gently around her wrist.

Before she could process what was happening, he gave a light tug, pulling her forward. Kallie lost her balance and stumbled into his arms.

Jake wrapped her in a firm embrace, exhaling a deep, contented sigh as though he’d been waiting for this moment.noveldrama

For Jake, it felt surreal, as if he were still caught in the haze of a dream.

For Kallie, it was like being struck by lightning. Her mind went blank, her body frozen in the unexpected intimacy of the moment.

As the initial shock wore off, Kallie caught a faint, unusual scent lingering around Jake. Beneath the pleasant fragrance she always associated with him, there was a subtle hint of alcohol. Her thoughts clicked into place.

“You’ve been drinking,” she muttered, piecing together his uncharacteristically bold behavior.

Jake rested his chin lightly on her head, his voice low and drowsy.

“Just a few sips. Needed to loosen up a bit.”

Kallie’s eyes flicked downward, spotting an almost-empty bottle peeking out from under the sofa. Her lips twitched, a mix of disbelief and exasperation bubbling up inside her.

Kallie’s eyes flicked downward, spotting not just one, but several empty bottles scattered across the floor. Jake hadn’t had “just a few sips”—he’d indulged far more than that. The fact that he was still able to speak coherently was likely due to the time he’d spent sleeping it off.

Raising her head, Kallie caught Jake’s gaze. Their gazes connected, and for a fleeting second, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them.

His face was as composed and handsome as ever, but the usual cold detachment in his eyes was gone. Instead, they held something unfamiliar—a faint hint of confusion, fatigue, and perhaps something softer, something unspoken.

Kallie felt an unexpected pang in her chest. It wasn’t pity exactly, but a deep sense of empathy for Jake. He had never seemed to open his heart to anyone, not even his children. Vulnerability was a luxury he didn’t allow himself, and she could only imagine how heavy that mask must have become over the years.

As if drawn by a magnetic pull she barely understood, Kallie reached up and grazed Jake’s brow with trembling fingertips, as though attempting to erase every burden lurking there. Instead of resisting or pushing her away, Jake quietly captured her hand in his, the warmth of his grasp undeniable.

Kallie inhaled sharply, startled to find herself so close, pressed against him in a way that left no room for pretense. She tried to jerk free on instinct, forgetting that she was already snared by his embrace.

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