Chapter 28



Kallie stood amidst the confusion, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched an empty wine glass. Her mind raced for an explanation that might dissipate the thick tension around her. Yet, she could only manage a helpless shake of her head while the piercing stares of the guests felt like needles against her skin.

Jake moved through the crowd with purpose, his presence commanding yet protective. As he neared, he smoothly removed his jacket and placed it around Sarah’s shoulders, a simple gesture that spoke volumes.

Kallie’s eyes followed Jake, filled with sorrow and a desperate hope that he might understand her situation.

But Jake’s face was a mask of cold indifference when locking eyes with Kallie. He spared her only a brief, dismissive glance before his attention fully turned to Sarah.

“How are you holding up?” His voice was thick with concern.

Sarah clutched at him dramatically. “My ankle’s all twisted up, I’m soaking wet, and just miserable. I can’t seem to stand on my own…”

The guests encircled them, a hush falling over the room. Murmurs, however, were not so easily contained. Kallie, standing isolated within the throng, caught snippets of their whispers.

“She’s the legitimate wife, sure enough. Don’t underestimate her because she’s mute. The schemes she concocts…”

“Mr. Reeves really has it all, a stunning mute wife at home and a mistress to charm society on his behalf.”

“And what a tragedy they are to each other. Really, with everything they have, why stew in jealousy?”

These fragmented conversations wounded Kallie deeply. She longed to defend herself, to tell her side of the story. She wasn’t the jealous spouse they portrayed her as. She had even suggested divorce to Jake.

But Jake had flatly refused to let her go, and it was Sarah who had woven this web of deceit around her. Yet, why was she painted as the villain in their tale?

Jake’s gaze met Kallie’s, a storm of unspoken words passing between them. Then, wordlessly, he turned away from her and lifted Sarah into his arms, his decision clear in his avoidance of Kallie’s plea.

The crowd parted, making a path for Jake as he carried Sarah away. As Sarah nestled into Jake, one hand resting gently on his shoulder, she tilted her head to lock eyes with Kallie.

To any onlooker, Sarah appeared the victim, wronged and fragile in Jake’s embrace. But Kallie caught the true glint in Sarah’s eye, a smug triumph that no one else seemed to notice.

With Jake and Sarah disappearing into the crowd, Kallie felt an overwhelming urge to escape the suffocating atmosphere of the party. The guests’ stares were curious, some even piercing, yet none offered words or gestures of comfort.

Kallie quickened her steps, making her way to the door and out into the cool embrace of the night air. Freedom never felt so palpable. Outside, Kallie inhaled deeply, the fresh air washing over her like a soothing balm.

But the reality of her isolation quickly set in. Jake had been her ride to the event, and now he had left with Sarah. Dressed for a gala, not a night on the town alone, she couldn’t simply hail a cab.

Just as Kallie pondered her next move, a black Mercedes glided to a smooth stop in front of her. The driver’s door swung open, and out stepped Ethan.

“Hey, why are you just standing here all by yourself?”

Ethan approached with a friendly smile. “Where are you headed? Let me give you a ride.”

Ethan graciously opened the passenger door for Kallie, giving her a warm, expectant look. With a small, thankful smile, Kallie slid into the car. Relief washed over her. Meeting Ethan was fortuitous. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure how she would have managed to get home.

Once settled in the driver’s seat, Ethan sensed her curiosity as Kallie pulled out her phone and typed a message to him, visible on the screen between them. “So, what are you doing here?”

Ethan glanced at her message and then back at the road, crafting his reply. “A friend invited me over, but he had to leave early. I was just hanging around chatting with some folks. Figured I might as well drive you home,” he explained, his tone casual but his words a bit too quick, betraying the spontaneity of his story.

In truth, Ethan stumbled upon Kallie’s appearance at the party with Jake in a group chat. The chatter about Jake’s wife making a rare public appearance was quite a sensation. When Ethan saw Kallie’s name pop up in the chat, he decided to come by, though he hadn’t expected to encounter her so directly.

Kallie typed a simple, sincere “Thank you,” and showed it to him.

“Oh, by the way, I’ve been learning sign language,” Ethan said to Kallie with an enthusiastic smile. “I’m picking it up pretty quickly. Soon you won’t have to type. You’ll be able to just sign to me!”

Ethan demonstrated a few basic signs, looking to Kallie for confirmation. “Is this right?”

Kallie’s face lit up with a genuine smile as she nodded in approval. Ethan’s heart skipped a beat at her smile. He then shifted the conversation toward their destination. “Where to? Heading to see Linsey?”

Kallie shook her head and showed Ethan the location of her and Jake’s villa on her phone. She typed: “Take me here, please.”

It was the villa Kallie shared with Jake. Despite his frequent absences, she had never spent a night away from their home. She was determined to uphold her role, even if Jake faltered in his.

“Alright,” Ethan responded, a fleeting look of disappointment passing through his eyes as he put the car in gear. The ride was quiet, and soon, the sleek black Mercedes pulled up in front of the imposing villa.

As they approached, the butler emerged, a mix of surprise and relief on his face. “Madam, you’re back!”

“It’s okay. She’s with me,” Ethan called out as he exited the vehicle. Kallie was just gathering her things to thank Ethan and dismiss him when he suddenly stepped out of the car and approached the butler.

Taken aback by his unexpected move, Kallie watched curiously.

“I heard about the banquet tonight. Jake left with another woman, abandoning her there.” Ethan’s voice held an edge of accusation as he confronted the butler, his words sharp with implication.

Kallie, standing beside the car, felt a rush of surprise and confusion. It became clear that Ethan had known about the night’s events all along but had kept his knowledge hidden until now.

The butler was visibly startled by the assertiveness of Ethan’s statement.

Ethan pressed on, his tone mixing firmness with a hint of warning. “If Jake doesn’t value her, then he should let her go. There are many who would treasure what he takes for granted. Please make sure he understands that.”

Kallie rushed forward, reaching out to gently tug at Ethan’s sleeve. She remembered all too well the last confrontation between Ethan and Jake, which had ended with Ethan at the police station. Stirring up trouble right at Jake’s doorstep was risky, and if Jake were to find out, it could spell serious trouble.

“Understood, Mr. Brooks. I will pass on your message,” the butler responded, his voice even and composed.

Ethan gave a dismissive snort and then turned to leave. Kallie, her anxiety peaking, quickly gestured her gratitude for his ride and her wish for him to have a safe journey home.

Ethan’s voice rang out deliberately, ensuring the butler couldn’t miss his message. “If he gives you any trouble, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ll have your back.”

Kallie’s heart pounded with concern as Ethan’s words hung in the stillness of the evening. She observed anxiously as Ethan returned to his car, offering her a comforting wave before driving off into the night.

Kallie turned to the butler, her thoughts tumbling out in a rush as she typed down. “Please, don’t mention this to Jake. Ethan just offered me a ride back, and I had no idea he would say those things. He didn’t mean any harm. He was just a bit intoxicated…”

Kallie’s hastily crafted excuse fell flat as she realized the implications of Ethan driving under the influence. She cursed herself for her feeble attempt at deception.

The butler shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat before speaking. “Um, Madam…”

Before Kallie could decipher his meaning, a shadow loomed behind the entrance hall. It was Jake, his presence palpable, his expression dark as he fixed his gaze on Kallie.

“Why are you defending him?” His voice cut through the silence.

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