The Mute Wife's Silent Escape

s office, and the cold hallway air hit Aurora like a

ed into Aurora's vision, and her eyes instantly blurred with tears. Aurora couldn't believe s

her throat, tight from years of traumatic mutis

s hands fumbled as she pulled it out, nea

screen. A two-million-dollar charge at Ca

her vision. Aurora remembered Seraphina's social media post from yesterday, a casual "like" on

a single rose after Leo was born. Aurora had convinced herself Julian was just frugal. But now Julian was throwing away two million dol

eep into her coat pocket. Aurora turned and walked toward the

saw a woman with a face completely drained of color. Aurora

nd into the biting late-autumn wind of New York City

t. Aurora showed the driver the school address already typed int

ght need to use with her son, Leo. The baking event at school would start soon, and Aurora wanted to be able to communicate with Leo withou

and Aurora's body lurched forward. The pen in Aurora's

's pocket. A surge of panic shot through Aurora, and she q

t Leo's apron for the baking event. A bitter taste filled Aurora's mouth as

rora paid the driver in cash and pushed the door open, walking towar

k-in table. The security guard, Frank, gave Aurora a polite smile a

Leo's name, but her fingers froze

e for "Mother," was a signature written in

ath caught i

king as she pointed at the name. Aurora's eyes were wi

scomfort. "Mr. Sterling already went inside, ma'am," Frank mum

d to close in around Aurora, but she couldn't block out the voices spilling from the open classroom door. A few mothers in designer suits glanced

Seraphi

Julian everywhere lately. Th

is with little Leo.

desperate to escape their stares. Their words

nt. It had a one-way glass window. Aurora's eyes moved past the ot

e strings of a small white apron. The gesture, so tender

mudge of flour from Julian's cheek. Julian didn't pull away. "She won't mind, will she?" Seraphina's voice drifted through the glass, sweet a

ghtened. "She k

eaning a little closer. "I just worry. She's so quie

g the air from Aurora's lungs. Aurora stumbled back,

affectionate kiss on the cheek. Then Leo looked at Seraphina, his small voice carrying through the gl

her. Leo was just a child who didn't understand. B

name flashed on the screen. With a trembling hand

cold and clipped. "Aurora, don't sho

ate sound escape

y from the classroom, away from the schoo