My Mute Bride

Julian didn’t even look at his mother. Instead, he asked Rachel, “Are you alright? Is Charlotte fine?”

Rachel shook her head.

“You guys go on ahead. I’ll deal with this.” Julian held Rachel’s shoulders and pushed her out of the ward.

If it weren’t for the fact that Sue was Julian’s mother, Rachel would have doubled down on the insults and violence. The moment she got out of the ward, she ran into someone familiar. “I thought you’re on a business trip.” Rachel was surprised.

“Not until tomorrow morning.” Justin answered.

“So everything Sue said earlier…”

“I heard it.”

Since he was acting calm, Rachel thought he was on Sue’s side, and she sneered silently. Guess they’re birds of a feather, huh?

Julian came out a short while later.

Before he could say anything, Sue went past him, looking furious. Apparently, Julian told her something, so she only glared at Rachel and left without a word.

Julian said, “My mother can be annoying sometimes, Rachel. Just ignore her.”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” Rachel smiled at Julian. “Thanks for helping me out. I mean it.”

At the side, however, Justin’s face fell.

Julian lifted his wrist and looked at the time. “Why don’t I treat you to a meal? As an apology for my mother’s behavior.”

“No need for that.”

“Sure!”

who said

you say yes? Charlotte just got out of hospital. She needs to heal up. What

suit pants and blinked at Justin. “But I wanna go,

It’s decided, then. Come on,

left. “Chop chop, you two.” After he was gone, only Rachel and

felt like laughing. “You can’t be

at

are you worried? We’re just

started popping on Justin’s

a beat. “And your heart’s beating pretty loudly.” A smile curled her lips, sucking him in. Just as he was immersed in her smile, she patted his shoulder.

bellowed into the corridor, and Justin’s face fell. As he saw her off,

the restaurant, while Julian and

after it was served, but Julian stopped her. “Hold it.” He tested the temperature and handed it back to the waiter right in front of Rachel. “We don’t want this. Please

want black

decision was final. “You know you have a bad stomach. Iced coffee is off

Rachel pouted.

that the overly friendly conversation was hurting

“Mommy, do you

her head. “No, I don’t.

about your body. Charlotte, do you want your mommy to

“I want her to be healthy, of course.” She quickly pushed Rachel’s salad away. “This one is cold as well, so you shouldn’t eat this, Mommy. Have some soup. Great-grandpa told me it’s

whole time keeping an eye

Rachel, but she felt touched as well. For so many years, she’d thought Charlotte would be

Though only to Charlotte, I

is for all the

and anger flared in

bill, Julian went to the restroom to wash his hands, then Justin came in. “You came back all of a