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.

days and might not make it back during the daytime to see you.

the door and the room descended into silence

words were still ringing

Justin rushed back to Riverdale from Brookville just

her apartment building when he saw her and Julian handing cake out to the children, as

why he was

because I was with Julian or because I said I

her mind

of her eye, she caught a glimpse

woman in the mirror had her hair tangled around her shoulders. Her face was gaunt and her eyes were dull and

like that? She looked neither alive

was starting

that

phone chimed

have a new development

at

found the killer? Who

but I have a new lead. Let me show you a picture. See if you recognize

message, Rachel received a

Unshaven and dressed in a black jacket, he had

Suddenly, her heart clenched.

met

her from the highway and brought her back to Southwind Villa. It was

He’s one of

an aluminum box. If I

she could

killed to prevent him from spilling the beans. Be on your guard, Rachel. Hans’ death might be related to Justin and you mustn’t be tricked by Justin’s words. Those

the screen, she couldn’t

and she was unable to catch any breath. She felt like she was drowning or crushed beneath

time, Rachel finally sucked in

violent bout of coughing, tears rolled down

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

time to force herself to calm