Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 35:

Kallie’s eyes widened in shock. She carefully lifted the bracelet, examining it closely. It bore the Rowan logo, but the engraving indicated it was not from the year Rowan was established—it was from the second or third year.

Despite that, its design and structure closely mirrored the bracelet Stella had tasked her with repairing.

As Kallie scrutinized the bracelet Jake had given her, she noticed an unusual feature. Hidden on the inner side was a small metal mechanism. She hesitated for a moment before cautiously flipping it. The metal clicked open, revealing a tiny compartment—a secret space designed to conceal small items.

Now, Kallie understood the bracelet’s design and realized how to fix Stella’s. But one question lingered: Why had Jake given this to her? He had never supported her work, and she had thought he wouldn’t help her with it. Yet, here he was, quietly providing a reference piece for her task.

She remembered the furious look on Jake’s face when she had mentioned earning money for the divorce. She couldn’t figure out what he was thinking at the time.

Pushing her thoughts aside, Kallie picked up her tools and began the restoration. Now that she understood the process, it went smoothly. The bracelet, made of enamel and metal, required only a bit of work with a hot-melt gun and some invisible glue to mend the pieces securely.

Under the watchful eye of a recording camera, Kallie finished restoring the bracelet.

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Gregory quickly called Hayden over. Hayden examined the bracelet through a magnifying glass and tested the clasp before giving Kallie a thumbs-up. He signed his praise for Kallie’s work, noting that she was a natural restorer, her talents never diminishing over time. He once again mentioned how he had recognized her potential when they first met, despite her young age.

Kallie responded with a shy smile, modestly crediting her success to his excellent mentorship.

Beaming with pride, Hayden stamped the bracelet’s box with his personal seal—a tamperproof mark that signified the restoration had been completed and approved by his studio.

After taking a few final photographs of the restored piece, Kallie carefully placed it in a cabinet.

“Tell the client to pick it up tomorrow, and make sure you’re the one to hand it over,” Gregory instructed.

The next day, when Stella arrived to collect the bracelet, she accepted it casually, her face adorned with an enigmatic smile, as if she had a secret plan.

Later that evening, Kallie quietly placed the bracelet Jake had given her in his study. She didn’t expect him to return that night. But as she was preparing for bed, he walked into the bedroom and tossed the bracelet onto the bed. Fresh from the shower, his loosely tied pajamas revealed his sculpted chest.

“This is for you. Why did you give it back?” Jake asked, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance.

Kallie signed her thanks, explaining she didn’t need the bracelet now that the restoration was done.

Jake shot her a quick glance, his expression unreadable. “It’s just a bracelet,” he said casually.

Kallie considered arguing but instead tucked the bracelet neatly into her bedside drawer. She resolved to return it once the divorce was finalized.

“Next week, there’s a banquet at the Hayes’ place,” Jake announced abruptly, tossing an invitation onto the bed. “You’re coming with me.”

Kallie picked up the invitation and saw it was for Jerome Hayes’ birthday banquet. It was addressed to Jake and his family. She wondered why Jake insisted on her attending. Hadn’t she embarrassed him enough at the last dinner party?

For the upcoming banquet, Kallie chose a simple black dress and minimal makeup. She followed behind Jake, her head down, but even so, her presence drew curious glances as they entered the venue. The onlookers seemed particularly interested in Jake’s habit of bringing his mute wife to social events.

However, this time, their curiosity was more subdued. They simply exchanged polite handshakes with Kallie while greeting Jake, refraining from unnecessary comments.

Shortly afterward, the banquet began.noveldrama

One by one, the Hayes family members stepped forward to offer toasts and gifts to their grandfather. Kallie noticed Stella stepping into the spotlight, clearly a favorite in the family.

Initially, Kallie paid little attention to the proceedings. But that changed when Stella presented a box that sparked recognition in Kallie’s mind. It was the pair of bracelets she had painstakingly restored.

“Grandpa, this is the ancient bracelet from our ancestors that once saved our family,” Stella declared, holding out the box with both hands. “I had it restored so I could present it to you today.”

As Stella handed over the box, Kallie noticed the broken seal, and a sense of foreboding washed over her. Her fears were confirmed when Jerome opened the box to reveal the bracelet, not in pristine condition, but marred by several noticeable scratches.

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