Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 1051:

Kallie tugged at the shawl draped over her shoulders. Her nightgown was a loose camisole, not ideal for sharing a bed with Jake. It wasn’t a problem when it was just her and Elma, but with Jake there, it felt inappropriate.

Elma pouted, her voice thick with sleep.

“No, I’m tired now. It’s fine, Mom. I’ll sleep between you two.”

Kallie glanced at the clock. It was already well past midnight. Seeing Elma struggle to keep her eyes open, she relented with a sigh and decided to have someone fetch another blanket later if necessary.

The three of them settled onto the bed.

As if on cue, a gentle rain began to fall outside, the rhythmic tapping against the windows bringing a soothing calm to the room.

In the stillness of the night, the only sound was their soft, steady breathing.

Elma nestled closer to Kallie, her tiny hand still gripping Jake’s. A quiet happiness filled her, though her eyelids grew heavy with sleep. Despite her drowsiness, she held on, determined not to fall asleep just yet.

“Mom, Dad, are you asleep?” she asked cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kallie brushed her hand gently over Elma’s hair.

“Almost,” she replied softly.

“It’s late now, sweetheart. You should try to sleep.” Kallie’s tone was tender, the gentle cadence of her voice stirring something within him.

Through the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the window, Jake could make out Kallie’s silhouette on the bed. But her expression remained obscured in the shadows. A strange feeling crept over him, and it dawned on him why. Kallie was facing him.

For a fleeting moment, their gazes met in the darkness. Realizing it, they both quickly turned away, but an undeniable tension lingered, their hearts beating faster.

Oblivious to their silent exchange, Elma rubbed her tired eyes. Her voice, though laced with sleep, was insistent.

“Why don’t we talk? It’s been such a long time since we enjoyed a talk together.”

Jake sighed heavily and pressed his fingers against his temples.

“I’m exhausted. Let’s talk tomorrow and get some rest now. It’s way too late, and staying up will only make you sicker. You don’t want to take more of that bitter medicine, do you?”

The mention of medicine made Elma shudder involuntarily. Though she wasn’t particularly picky, there was something about Lacey’s concoction that unsettled her. It was harsher, more bitter than anything she had ever been given before. The aftertaste would churn her stomach, leaving her queasy and without appetite.

Though Elma often felt drowsy during the day, the moment she laid down, sleep seemed impossible to grasp. Strangely, everyone around her commented on how much better she looked. But she didn’t feel the same way.

Elma shook her head slightly, trying to brush away the jumble of thoughts clouding her mind. Her task for the day was to bring her parents closer together.noveldrama

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