Unspoken Hearts: My Neglected Mute Wife’s Escape

Chapter 42:

“What do you think you’re doing? Stop it! I’m calling the police!” Linsey’s frantic voice filled the room as she reached for her phone.

But the menacing figures paid no heed. Some continued to ransack the room while others advanced toward Kallie and Linsey, their intentions clear. Linsey screamed, grabbing Kallie’s arm, dragging her toward the back of the bookstore.

Both women knew the layout well, dodging through the maze of shelves. But their escape was cut short—there was only one exit, and it was blocked. No matter how they maneuvered, they were trapped.

“I’ll call my brother to get us out of here!” Linsey said urgently, guiding Kallie into a cramped nook beneath the staircase.

In the tight space, Linsey whispered, “These guys aren’t here to negotiate. The police won’t stop them in time.” She frantically called her brother, Ethan, while Kallie discreetly alerted the authorities through her phone.

Kallie’s heart raced, realizing this attack might be aimed at her, not Linsey. Maybe it was retribution from Stella, Yvette, or even Sarah. Had she inadvertently dragged Linsey into this danger?

The voices of their attackers echoed through the bookstore. “Those girls are hiding, but there’s no way out.”

“Let’s finish this before the cops show up!”

Kallie froze as the acrid scent of gasoline filled the air. Panic gripped her, and she clutched Linsey’s hand just as a flick of a lighter set the exit ablaze. Flames erupted, sealing them inside.

“Ugh… Ugh…” Linsey coughed violently, her eyes watering from the smoke. “I’ll grab the fire extinguisher!” she cried, rushing toward it.

But Kallie knew it was futile. The fire was growing too fast. If they tried to fight it, they might only make things worse. The flames were no accident—this was a deliberate act of malice. Kallie felt the crushing weight of guilt. It wasn’t the Brooks family who had enemies—it was her. Her involvement with Stella, Yvette, and Sarah had put them in this perilous situation. Linsey was caught in the crossfire of someone else’s vengeance.

Despair washed over Kallie, but as she scanned their surroundings, her eyes landed on a small window high above the back wall. With renewed urgency, she pulled Linsey toward it, gesturing for her to climb.

“It’s too high for me. You should go, Kallie,” Linsey argued, her voice trembling. “You’re thinner, and I can give you a boost.”

But Kallie couldn’t bear the thought of leaving Linsey behind. Ignoring her own safety, Kallie hoisted Linsey toward the window. This was her responsibility—she had brought this danger upon them. She couldn’t let Linsey suffer for it.

The smoke thickened, making it impossible to speak. Kallie urged Linsey to hurry, silently pushing her toward the window with all her strength.

“Kallie, I can’t leave you!” Linsey’s voice cracked with emotion. “I’ll come back for you, I swear. Just hang on!”

With Kallie’s help, Linsey reached the small window and pushed it open, the rush of air feeding the flames behind them. As Linsey climbed through, she turned back, but the smoke had already swallowed Kallie from view.noveldrama

Kallie collapsed, coughing and gasping for air. She fumbled for her phone and pressed the emergency lock button five times, triggering an SOS. Her emergency contact was likely Jake, but would he answer?

As the flames closed in, Kallie curled into a corner, overwhelmed by the smoke. Time felt agonizingly slow, each second an eternity. Suddenly, through the suffocating haze, a figure appeared, cutting through the fire and smoke. Strong arms lifted her, carrying her through the deluge of water from the fire hoses.

The fire trucks had arrived, and the blaze was being brought under control. Linsey rushed toward Kallie, tears streaming down her face.

“Kallie! Are you okay? Please, open your eyes!”

Kallie slowly blinked away the smoke, her vision clearing enough to see Jake’s face, filled with concern and relief. He had come for her. In the chaos, his presence felt like a dream.

As Kallie struggled to sit up, coughing, she realized she was mostly unharmed. The spot where she had hidden had provided some protection from the worst of the smoke. She signed her thanks to Jake, her heart warm with gratitude.

Linsey clutched her hand, her voice thick with emotion. “I was so scared. That fire… it was awful.”

Suddenly, Sarah’s voice pierced through the aftermath, and Kallie instinctively pulled back from Jake, stepping away as Sarah approached. Observing Kallie’s reaction, Jake’s brow furrowed with concern.

The fear that had gripped Jake’s heart when he learned of the fire was still fresh. He had rushed to the scene, desperate to save her. Now, seeing Kallie distance herself despite his efforts, a pang of hurt flickered in his eyes.

Suppressing his emotions, Jake turned to Sarah, his voice cold. “Those thugs… They worked for Stella, didn’t they? Did you have any part in this?”

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