His Mute Bride

CHAPTER 1

Daphne woke up gasping for air, her shirt soaked in sweat. She stared into the dark room, waiting for her racing heart to calm down.

It was the same nightmare again. She could still hear the screeching tires, see the blinding headlights of the truck, and hear her dad screaming her name right before the crash. He had survived the initial impact, but he died three days later in the hospital, leaving her completely alone.

Daphne tried to take a deep breath to calm herself. She opened her mouth to sigh, but no sound came out, just a faint rush of empty air. It had been three years since the accident. It hadn't just taken her dad, it had also permanently destroyed her vocal cords.

She got out of bed and walked downstairs to the kitchen.

Her stepmother Evelyn, was sipping coffee, while her stepsister Delilah, sat at the table flipping through a fashion magazine. When Daphne walked in, Evelyn didn't smile. She just snapped her fingers sharply to get Daphne's attention and started signing quickly.

Nightmares again? Evelyn signed, frowning. You can't keep using that as an excuse to sleep in. Delilah has class soon. Go make breakfast.

Daphne quickly signed back, I'm sorry. I'll start the eggs now.

Evelyn didn't bother responding.

After the accident, Evelyn and Delilah had learned sign language, but not because they cared about Daphne. They did it to keep giving her orders. With her dad gone, they treated Daphne like a live-in maid making her clean the house and cook the meals while they spent the remainder of her dad's life insurance.

Daphne turned toward the stove, her eyes stinging with tears. She felt completely trapped in her own home.

At exactly ten o'clock, the front doorbell rang. Evelyn went to answer it and came back with a man in a sharp grey suit carrying a leather briefcase.

"Good morning," the man said. "My name is Arthur Vance. I’m the legal representative for Fred Smith."

Daphne froze, dropping her dish rag. Everyone knew Fred Smith. He is a billionaire. Her dad used to work as his personal bodyguard.

Evelyn leaned forward, her eyes lighting up with greed. "Mr. Smith's lawyer? Please, sit down. Are you here about more insurance money?"

The lawyer sat at the dining table and opened his briefcase. "No, Mrs. Miller. I’m here because of a legal contract your late husband signed in the hospital right before he died."

Daphne walked closer to the table. Evelyn frowned. "What contract?"

The lawyer pulled out a thick stack of papers. "A marriage contract."

Evelyn gasped, and Delilah looked up from her magazine.

"Years ago, Daphne’s father saved Mr. Smith’s life by taking a bullet meant for him," the lawyer explained, looking right at Daphne. "Mr. Smith is a proud man who pays his debts. To ensure Daphne is financially cared for for the rest of her life, they agreed she would marry Mr. Smith’s only son and heir, Conrad Smith."

Daphne’s jaw dropped. Her hands shook as she grabbed a notepad and a pen from the kitchen counter. She scribbled down four words in large, messy letters and slapped the paper onto the dining table for everyone to see:

Marriage? To a stranger?

Evelyn didn't even look at the note. She immediately jumped to her feet, her face turning red with anger. "What?! That’s ridiculous! Look at her she can't even speak. Why would a billionaire want a broken girl? My daughter Delilah is beautiful and perfect for him. You should change the contract to Delilah’s name!"

Delilah glared at Daphne with pure jealousy. "Seriously. She’s practically a ghost. Why her?"

The insult hurt, but the lawyer stayed completely calm.

"The contract specifies Daphne, and only Daphne," Mr. Vance said coldly, shutting his briefcase. "If she refuses, Mr. Smith will stop sending the monthly allowance and take back this townhouse. Your family will lose everything."

Evelyn’s breath hitched. As soon as the lawyer stood up to leave, she turned on Daphne, her hands flying aggressively.

You are going to accept this marriage, Evelyn signed, her face twisted in a snarl. If you ruin this for us and get us thrown out on the street, I will leave you with absolutely nothing.

"A car will pick you up tomorrow night at seven for dinner at the Smith estate to meet Conrad," the lawyer said from the door. "Please be ready."

The second the door closed, Daphne ran up to her bedroom and locked the door behind her.

She wanted to refuse. She wanted to tell them all no. But looking around her room, reality hit her. Where would she go? She had no savings, no job, no family left, and no voice to defend herself. If she let Evelyn lose the house, her life would be a living hell. Going to the dinner wasn't just an obligation, it was her only choice to survive.

Desperate for a lifeline, she made a video call to her best friend, Mateo.

"Hey, Daphne!" Mateo smiled warmly, but his face fell when he saw her. "Whoa, what's wrong? You look terrified."

Daphne quickly switched the call to text since Mateo was still learning sign language and only knew the basics.

A lawyer just came to the house. My dad made a deal before he died. I have to marry Conrad Smith. The billionaire's son. The dinner is tomorrow night.

Mateo’s eyes went wide. "Are you serious? Conrad Smith from the magazines? Daphne, that's insane. You can't just marry a stranger because of an old contract."

Daphne typed back, her fingers shaking: I don't have a choice. Evelyn threatened me. If I say no, Fred Smith cuts off the money and takes the house. Evelyn will throw me out on the street. I have nowhere else to go, Mateo.

Mateo rubbed his forehead, looking stressed. He lived in a tiny, cramped apartment and was a struggling musician. He couldn't afford to take her in, and they both knew it.

"Those miserable women," Mateo muttered, hitting his desk in frustration. "They treat you like a maid and now they're using you as a meal ticket. Look, just be careful. Guys like Conrad Smith think they can buy people. I wish I could go with you."

Daphne typed: I wish you could too. How is your sign language practice going? I really need someone to talk to who understands me.

Mateo looked at the camera and clumsily raised his hands, piecing together a few basic signs. I am... learning... for you. Soon... we talk... fast.

His signs were totally messy and out of order, but it made Daphne smile a little.

Thank you, Mateo. I'll text you tomorrow before the car gets here.

She ended the call and looked out the window. She felt completely stuck between the cruel family she knew and the billionaire stranger waiting for her tomorrow night.