Chapter 26



As Kallie caught sight of Sarah, her first impulse was to retreat. She recalled Jake’s earlier words to Sarah, asking her to postpone their conversation until later that night. Now, as night fell and Jake, who had escorted her here, seemed more interested in Sarah, Kallie wondered if this was an attempt to humiliate her.

However, retreating wasn’t an option for Kallie. Jake held her waist tightly, seemingly oblivious to Sarah, casually steering Kallie forward. Before long, Jake and Kallie were surrounded by people greeting him, pushing Sarah out of view.

Kallie couldn’t help but search for Sarah, but Jake gave her waist a sharp pinch, signaling her to focus. She quickly faced forward again.

“Mrs. Reeves, I hadn’t expected you to be so striking. A pleasure to meet you. I’m Frank Ingram. I’ve collaborated with Mr. Reeves for many years.” A gentleman extended his hand in greeting.

Kallie responded with a rushed smile and gestured her greetings.

“My wife is unable to speak due to damage to her vocal cords. Please forgive her,” Jake interjected, explaining on Kallie’s behalf.

“Oh, that’s okay. It’s just a pity, really. She’s quite stunning,” Frank said with a hint of regret, still managing to compliment them. “Mr. Reeves, the love you have for your wife, it’s profound! Staying so dedicated to her is truly commendable!”

Jake let out a laugh, sharing a few light-hearted words in response.

Beside Jake, Kallie mustered a forced smile, her heart tinged with bitterness. She remained at Jake’s side solely because he had not abandoned her.

Otherwise, she felt she wouldn’t have been considered deserving. Even outsiders would likely agree.

And then there was Sarah, equally pretty, which was no surprise since Jake wouldn’t choose someone unattractive.

She hailed from a reputable family, and there were even marriage talks involving the Miller and Reeves families. Furthermore, Sarah possessed a charming demeanor and excelled in social circles, seemingly a more fitting partner for Jake.

While Kallie stood there, part of her wished she could just vanish. Yet, the next instant, Jake leaned close, his breath tickling her ear as he whispered, “Shall we dance?”

Kallie froze, her eyes wide with disbelief as she turned to look at him.

Jake offered no further explanations. He simply grasped Kallie’s hand and guided her directly to the hall’s center.

At the heart of the venue lay a circular, sunken dance floor where numerous couples floated across the surface to the strains of classical music. However, upon noticing Jake’s arrival, the dancers promptly cleared a path for him.

“Is Mr. Reeves going to dance with his wife?”

“I’ve heard his wife is mute. Can she even hear the music?”

Kallie caught snippets of the whispered speculations and felt her anxiety spike, her hand growing clammy within Jake’s firm grasp.

“Fear not, everything will be fine, no matter what,” Jake murmured reassuringly, his arm encircling her waist.

As they embraced, Kallie trembled slightly, steeling herself to maintain composure so as not to embarrass Jake. Kallie moved in sync with Jake, her feet finding the rhythm of the music. It had been ages since Kallie last danced like this. She was barely more than a child then.

Though initially clumsy, Kallie’s past dance lessons began to resurface in her movements after a few faltering steps. Jake, meanwhile, danced with practiced ease, leaving Kallie to ponder his frequent partner. Surely it must be Sarah.

Lost in her thoughts amidst the dance, Kallie was jolted back to reality by a voice laden with emotion. “Jake…”

It was Sarah, standing just beside them.

Kallie was suddenly yanked back to the present, her instinct to retreat thwarted by Jake’s firm grip. She tried to signal him, but Jake’s tight hold only allowed her to mouth the words to him. “You can go.”

“You’re my wife. Don’t be so shy. It makes me look bad,” Jake said softly, his eyes tender as they rested on Kallie, though his words were cutting.

Taking a deep breath, Kallie closed her eyes. She imagined herself as still the cherished adopted daughter of the Reeves family, and Jake, the brother who had once adored her the most…

Kallie tilted her elegant neck back, her hair cascading to reveal her graceful shoulders and stunning back. The crowd’s focus shifted from questioning her ability to hear to being spellbound by her beauty.

“Truly beautiful, she definitely lives up to her reputation for beauty…”

“Such grace isn’t found in daughters from lesser families.”

“These noble daughters can’t hold a candle to her. Not even that Miller girl, who is engaged to a Reeves.”

Amid the crowd, Sarah absorbed the murmurs. She couldn’t compare to Kallie? Clutching her dress in frustration, she swallowed her anger, forced a smile, retreated to a corner, and dialed a number on her phone…

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