His Mute Bride

CHAPTER 2

The next evening, a sleek black limousine arrived at Daphne's house at exactly six o'clock. Daphne wore a simple wine-colored dress she had found in the back of her closet. Evelyn and Delilah stood by the front door, watching her like judges.

Before Daphne could step outside, Evelyn caught her by the wrist. Her grip wasn't violent, but it was firm enough to hurt.

Think about everything we’ve sacrificed to keep a roof over your head since your father died, Evelyn signed, her expression heavy with forced sadness. You owe us this. Don't embarrass us tonight, Daphne. Make sure he likes you, or you’ll find out just how cold the streets can be.

Daphne pulled her wrist away, her heart hammering against her ribs. She slipped her notepad and a pen into her purse and got into the limousine.

The drive to the Smith estate took an hour. The property was massive, hidden behind high iron gates and endless green lawns. A butler opened the car door and led Daphne into a grand dining room, where a massive crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Three men were already sitting at the long table. In the center sat Fred Smith, an older man with gray hair and a stern, unreadable face. To his right was his son, Conrad. He had sharp features, dark hair, and cold blue eyes. Across from Conrad sat another young man, who looked slightly younger and had a relaxed smile.

"Ah, Daphne. Welcome," Fred Smith said, standing up. His voice was deep and commanded the entire room. "Sit down, please."

Daphne took the empty seat across from Fred. A butler immediately poured her a glass of water.

Conrad didn't look up from his plate at first. When he finally raised his eyes, he didn't look disgusted he just looked profoundly tired and annoyed. "So, you are the girl my father is forcing me to marry."

Daphne didn't flinch. She reached into her purse, pulled out her notepad, and quickly wrote: I am not forcing anyone. I don't want this either.

She slid the paper across the long table. Conrad read it, a flash of surprise crossing his face before it turned back to frustration. He looked at his father. "What is this? Why isn't she speaking?"

Fred Smith sighed heavily. "Conrad, I told you. Daphne had an accident three years ago. She lost her voice."

Conrad stood up so fast his chair scraped loudly against the hardwood floor. He ran a hand through his hair, looking at his father with pure exasperation. "Are you kidding me, Dad? This isn't about her it’s about the position you're putting me in. Nobody even asked me what I wanted! I am the CEO of Smith Enterprises. I handle international deals, media galas, and high-profile meetings. How am I supposed to bring a mute wife to a business dinner? Do you know how the press will spin this? They will look at her and see a massive weakness!"

Weakness.

The word echoed inside Daphne, cutting deeper than any insult Delilah had ever thrown at her. Three years ago, the doctors had called her lucky just for surviving the crash. Since then, her stepfamily had treated her like an inconvenient burden. And now, to this stranger, her entire existence was just a corporate liability. She gripped her pen under the table until her knuckles turned white.

"Conrad! Sit down and watch your tongue," Fred said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, quiet tone. His face hardened. "You think I arranged this out of pity? Her father was the bravest man I ever knew. He took a bullet for me. I gave him my word, and a Smith does not break a promise. You will respect this arrangement."

"I don't care about an old pact," Conrad muttered, though he looked more defeated than angry now. "This is ridiculous."

"Hey, calm down, Conrad. You are being a total jerk."

The voice came from the other young man at the table. He looked at Daphne with a warm, comforting expression and bowed his head slightly. "Don't mind him," he said softly. "My name is Julian. I am Mr Smith’s adopted son. I think you look lovely tonight, Daphne. Ignore him, he has no manners."

Daphne looked at Julian. His eyes were incredibly kind, a stark contrast to Conrad’s coldness. Still, she noticed the subtle, mocking glance Julian shot toward Conrad right after speaking. It was quick, but it was there a tiny hint of rivalry.

Daphne opened her pad and wrote: Thank you, Julian.

Julian read the note and smiled warmly. "You're welcome. Don't worry, Daphne. Being quiet isn't a weakness. Sometimes, the quietest people are the strongest."

Conrad scoffed, tossing his linen napkin onto the table. "Whatever. This dinner is over for me." He turned and walked out of the room, slamming the heavy double doors behind him.

Fred Smith looked exhausted. He looked across the table at Daphne, his eyes assessing her like a businessman calculating a risk. "I apologize for my son’s behavior, Daphne. He is stubborn. But the wedding is happening in two weeks. It is already set in stone."

Daphne looked down at her notepad. She didn't write anything back. She just nodded.

The ride back home in the limousine was completely quiet. Daphne stared out the window at the passing streetlights, her mind spinning. She had two weeks before she was forced to marry a man who looked at her like a problem to be solved. But the thought of staying with Evelyn and Delilah made her stomach turn even more.

When the limousine pulled up to her house, the living room lights were still on. She braced herself and walked inside.

Evelyn and Delilah were waiting on the sofa. The moment the front door closed, Evelyn jumped up and rushed over to her.

"Well? How did it go?" Evelyn demanded, her voice dropping into that sweet, manipulative tone she always used when she wanted something. "Did you secure the marriage? You know Delilah's tuition is due next month, Daphne. We are counting on you."

Daphne raised her hands and signed quickly: The wedding is in two weeks.

Evelyn’s eyes lit up, and a sharp smile spread across her face. "Good. After everything we've done to support you these past three years, it’s nice to see you finally giving something back to this family."

Delilah let out a loud gasp, her face twisting with bitter jealousy. "I can't believe a mute girl gets to live in a mansion while we stay here! You don't deserve any of it, Daphne. You probably just stood there like a lifeless doll."

Daphne stared at them, her chest tightening. She raised her hands again, signing defiantly: This is my life. Leave me alone.

Evelyn burst out laughing. She raised her hands and started making clumsy, mocking gestures in the air, moving her lips silently and rolling her eyes to mimic Daphne's sign language. "Oh, look at me, 'leave me alone!' Your billionaire husband is going to get tired of your little hand signals real fast."

Daphne didn't look at them anymore. She turned around, walked up to her bedroom, and locked the door.

She sat on her bed and sent a quick text to Mateo: The wedding is in two weeks. Evelyn is already talking about what I owe them. I feel like I'm being sold.

Mateo replied instantly: I’m coming over tomorrow morning. We need to talk. Don't let them get to you, Daphne. I’m here.

The next morning, Daphne was in the kitchen washing dishes when the doorbell rang. Before Evelyn could even get off the couch, Daphne rushed to open it.

It was Mateo. He looked stressed, his hair messy, but the moment he saw Daphne, he reached out and gave her a tight, protective hug. Daphne squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face in his shoulder. For just a second, she felt safe.

"Hey," Mateo whispered, pulling back.

From the living room, Evelyn called out sharply, "Who is at the door, Daphne? Is it the lawyer?" When she saw it was just Mateo, she scoffed loudly. "Oh, it's just the neighborhood boy."

Mateo ignored her. He looked at Daphne and raised his hands, carefully signing the words he had practiced all night: I am here. You are safe.

Daphne smiled, a real smile for the first time in days. She nodded and led him out to the small backyard so they could talk without Evelyn and Delilah listening.

They sat down at the old wooden table. Daphne raised her hands and signed to him: Thank you for coming. I don't know what to do. Conrad Smith hates the idea of me. He told his father I would be a weakness to his reputation.

Mateo read her signs carefully, his grip on the table tightening. "Daphne, listen to me. If this marriage is legally set in stone, you have to use it to your advantage."

Daphne looked at him, confused. She tilted her head and signed: What do you mean?

"Think about it," Mateo said, leaning in closer. "If you marry him, you get out of this house. Evelyn and Delilah lose their power over you. You won't be their personal maid anymore. You will have the Smith family protection. As for Conrad, you don't have to love him. You just have to survive him."

Daphne thought about his words. He was right. Marrying Conrad meant entering a golden cage, but at least she would be free from her stepmother's daily cruelty. It wasn't a perfect choice, but it was a ticket out.

She signed: But what if he makes my life miserable?

Mateo reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. "He won't. Because you are stronger than he thinks. And remember, you have Julian on your side, right? You said he was nice to you. Plus, you have me and I’m not going anywhere."

Daphne looked into Mateo’s warm eyes. She felt a sudden surge of courage and nodded her head firmly. She was going to do this.