My Mute Bride

Early the next morning, the sound of running water could be heard coming from inside the bathroom.

After doing up his necktie and fastening on golden cufflinks, Justin threw open the wardrobe door and pulled out a set of clothing. Tossing them on the bed, he ordered, “Get dressed and pack your things. You’re coming with me.”

The redness on Rachel’s face was slowly fading away, making her look pale and weakened. Where are you taking me?

“Why so many questions? Are you intending to tell Julian or someone else?”

Hearing that, she clutched the blankets tighter to herself and fell silent again.

The car sped the entire way.

Inside the car, Frankie looked in the rearview mirror for a moment at the two people in the backseat. The interior of the car was very strange and quiet.

Once they reached the hotel and the driver went to park, Frankie mumbled, “They were so quiet the whole way. I didn’t even dare breathe too loud. Are they fighting?”

Unimpressed, Ramsey side-eyed him. “President Burton was never especially chatty and Mrs. Burton can’t

speak. Why wouldn’t they be quiet? Did you expect President Burton to speak up first?”

With a pause, Frankie conceded that Ramsey had a point and that he was probably reading into things too much.

After all, if the couple were truly quarreling, Rachel wouldn’t have come on this business trip with Justin.

By the time they reached Brookville, it was already late in the morning.

Since Justin had to rush off to the meeting, he left Frankie behind to handle Rachel’s check-in.

“I’ll leave your luggage here, Mrs. Burton. If there’s anything you would like to eat or drink, the hotel menu is over there and you can eat downstairs or call for room service.”

The moment she entered the room, Rachel sunk down on the couch, looking listless.

Seeing that she wasn’t responding, Frankie added, “You must be tired. The car ride was very long. We were all quite surprised that President Burton was willing to do so much traveling just to celebrate your birthday.”

Celebrate my birthday?

Astonished, she jerked her head up and gaped at Frankie.

not make it back during the daytime

Frankie shut the door and

still ringing in

out that Justin rushed back to Riverdale from Brookville just to celebrate

meant he must have been waiting at the bottom of her apartment building when he saw her and Julian handing cake out to the children, as well as her telling Julian

he was

angry because I was with Julian or because I said I never wanted the

her mind

of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of

her shoulders. Her face was gaunt and her eyes were dull and lifeless.

start looking like

was starting to fall in love

that

a ‘ding, Rachel’s phone chimed

a new development

eyebrows jerked skyward at

killer? Who killed

but I have a new lead. Let me show you

Rachel

young. Unshaven and dressed in a black jacket, he had the eyes of a hawk that

Suddenly, her heart clenched.

met

brought her back to Southwind Villa. It was also the person who

Janice continued, ‘His name is Winston. He’s one of Justin’s hired

day, carrying an aluminum box. If

started to shake as she could guess what Janice was about

the beans. Be on your guard, Rachel. Hans’ death might be related to Justin and

the screen, she

and fell, and she was unable to catch any breath. She felt like she was drowning or crushed beneath a large boulder. No matter how she tried, she

of time, Rachel finally

down her cheeks and a silent

after going around in a huge circle, Hans’ death was ultimately found to very likely still be related to

to calm down and reply to Janice, ‘Is there