Tamed By Love: Mr. Ryan's Mute Bride

tered into pieces. Glass shards and liquor splattered e

d time to react-no one could have gues

he swayed, his voice low and furio

wn head than swallow her pride and apologize. Stu

erself and gave Ryan a cold, defiant l

n. His gaze shifted to Ryan, his expression darkening. "Ryan, we've known each other for

r creaked open, an

in James's arms, blood trickling down her forehead. Emi

orced a weak smile. "W

ed together. "Who

raised his hand timidl

beside him-Sophia-who sat close to him, as

ion, Emily walk

maybe out of fear-or perha

s movements, his jaw tight

phia, who tilted her chin up

head and began to sign: I'm sorry. It's all

ghtly to gauge Ryan's reaction, but

ping?" Sophia muttered dismiss

t pretending not to know was more fun-she wanted to push things further, to stir up trouble between Rya

ds trembling as she looked

the air around him t

his sleeve-not like a child seeking atte

ack, pressing a tissue to her wound. The bloo

arm tightened. She wasn't about to

trickling down her cheeks, maki

I won't go back to work. I'll quit. Please,

once, when Emily had first learned sign language, s

ly knew that

her." She had never calle

as everyone watched Emily kneel before Ryan, humbling herself

s arm away, his gaze n

ice suddenly soft. "I'll ta

action obvious. Yet one look at Ryan's c

blades-soft on the surface, but lethal ben

s," she whimpe

down and scooped her into his

casting a triumphant glance at Emily, a

without so much as a glance, his coat brushin

ze, her hands fallin

lifted as soon as Ryan left. Daniel hurrie

okay,

mile and shook her head,

fine? Her love, the man she cherished, doted on another wom

er... He has no clue,

. To him, she was just family, nothing more. While he lavished his aff

dy," Lucy groaned, trying to lighten

"So you do care about that? Then w

ling, "Come on, it

teasing smile. "Em, come

t written all over her face. But Lucy leaned o

ed out on you," Daniel joked, do

a jerk," Lucy snapped, though

're getting ruder every day, woma

your damn

"Enough. We need to get

ion easing with each step. Emily followed si

CT scan, Emily stood shivering in the hall

ticed. "

a smile and s

es draped his jacke

aying her discomfort. She tried to

're freezing. Gi

rubbing her head. "Results aren

ink you're fine? You better hope so. H

tell Dad! Please! It was just a beer bottle!

d respond, Emily

just in time, feeling the

" he said, looking

ened. "Get the

unconsciousness, sl

room, swallowed by shadows. She pounded on the

d open, a sliver of ligh

light like a savior sent to rescue her from th

tried to grab it

him, but the door slammed shut, lea

pounding, as the hospital li

ke," Lucy s

ed Lucy. "

tell

think that's

glancing between th

urting it out: "Em... you're not

tilted, her mi

a response, but her thoughts raced

n. I can't understand

nds and signed again: This must be a mistak

he test results.

e paper, reading i

t. Five