The Revenge of the Mute Wife by Melanie Paulson

After escaping from the reporters, Deborah and her supporters ended up at a nearby restaurant to eat and celebrate her victory. Out of solidarity, everyone ordered juice or soda to accompany their meal, though Deborah insisted it wasn't necessary. "Here," said Caroline, passing Deborah a glass of orange juice.

[Thank you.]

"Well, let's toast to freedom and a new beginning," Jayden said, raising his glass of soda, and everyone followed suit.

"Deborah, tell me, what will you do now?" asked George.

[What do you mean?]

"Well, I remember you haven't worked, and you're expecting my grandchild, so..."

[Oh, that. Don't worry, I have a way to survive. Thanks to a friend, I got a job behind. Roger's back.]

"That's great, Deborah. I commend your initiative. Can I ask what the job is?"

[I'm an accountant. I help with a government support program.]

"That is excellent, Deborah! Congratulations," George said, noticing how his words made Deborah blush a little. "And how do you do the work? Do you go to an office or

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[Everything is online. I help several small business owners manage their accounting. The system assigns clients to me, and I get a fixed payment for each one I handle.]ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

"Oh... you have a modern job, Debbie," Elliot said, smiling at her.

"A friend of mine was the one who started that initiative and it has helped a lot of people, especially since not everyone is familiar with bureaucratic procedures or has the time to organize their documentation," Jayden explained. "And a friend from my office told me about that new job so I didn't hesitate to mention it to Caroline so she could encourage Deborah to apply for it," Christian said.

"It's good to

see v

have great friends," George commented, looking at Deborah." Um... about the alimony, I'll be sending it to you."

[Actually, I don't-]

"I know why you didn't ask for it, but we must comply with the judge's orders. So, I'll send you a new card for the deposit, and this time it'll have those new biometric keys so only you can use it." "Deborah, it's OK to accept it. Just consider it as savings for your baby," Jayden said encouragingly to Deborah. "Or as emergency money for any eventuality."

"Jayden is right. In the end, it's the compensation you deserve for the harm that jerk did to you. Um.... no offense," Caroline said, looking apologetically at George.

"No offense taken," George replied, sipping his drink.

[Well, if you put it that way, I accept.]

"Yay, we won!" Elliot declared happily, making everyone laugh. "Hey, Debbie, now that I think about it, at your next appointment, they'll tell you, right?"

[That's right.]

"Can I go with you?"

"I'm going with her," Jayden quickly said, noticing the boy's affection for Deborah,

"And why can't I join you?" Elliot asked, glaring at Jayden.

"Son..." George gently chided him.

"It's just..."

[Elliot, I don't think you can come with me because the appointment is very early.]

"Ugh, that's not fair."

[But how about I text you right after I leave the clinic to tell you?]

"That sounds like a good deal," Elliot said happily.

After that, they chatted about other trivial matters, having a pleasant time. Deborah was happy because, at that moment, they were interacting as if they were a real family. After the meal, Deborah gave her phone number and address to George and Elliot, hearing their promise to visit her in the future for a chat or to bring gifts for the baby. "See you, Debbie, we're heading home now, Elliot said.

[See you, Elliot, and rest well.]

"Goodbye, Deborah," George said as they got into the car; it had been a long day.

The others waved the father and son goodbye.

"Well, we're leaving too," Caroline announced as she got into the car with Christian to go home and rest.

[See you, and thank you.]

"I'll call you tomorrow afternoon to start looking into your mom's case," Christian mentioned before saying farewell, getting into the car, and driving away.

"Well... we're alone now," Jayden said, using a flirty tone.

[That seems to be the case.] Deborah blushed a little.

"But let's go

home because I imagine it's been a very tiring day for you."

She thanked him, and they returned home in his car.

[Thanks for being by my side today, Jayden.]

"You're welcome, beautiful. Besides, today was an important day for you.

[Yes, by the way, do you have some time?]

"Well, it depends," he said playfully. "Are you going to invite me to dinner?"

[Something like that. Do you want to join me for some desserts?]

"Heh, craving something sweet?"

[Yes.]

"I accept, as I'm in the mood for something sweet too."

They both went into her house, where Jayden helped her warm something up. Jayden found it a little curious for a dessert, but then he saw her bring out bread and fruit accompanied by a bowl of... "Oh, how delicious, chocolate fondue," he said, helping her place it on the table.

[The lady at the store told me it's the most popular product right now, and since she noticed it was for my craving, she gave me a special chocolate that's not too sweet.]

"Wow, that's good salesmanship. She gave you good advice," he said, tasting the chocolate and noticing it wasn't as sweet as it seemed.

[It's from the café across the park, and I got a discount because the owner's granddaughter is one of my students.]

"That's great. By the way, you didn't tell me how your schedule worked out?"

[Classes are on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 p.m..] Deborah smiled with joy. [And guess what?]

""What?"

[I have 25 students per class.]

"Wow, that's amazing, Congratulations, Debbie."

[And next Tuesday I'm going to start tutoring a neighbor.]

"Tutor sessions?"

[She found out I'm an accountant and asked for help with her math homework.]

"Wow, that's great. Now you can live doing what you love."

[Yes.]

"Hey, um... sorry about earlier."

[What do you mean?]

"I kind of invited myself to your medical appointment."

[Don't worry. In fact, you beat me to it because I was planning to ask you.]

"Oh, heh, I see," he said, blushing. "In that case, I accept."

Deborah laughed, seeing the happiness in Jayden's eyes. They talked a bit more- Jayden started telling her about the new project he was about to start with his father. "By the way, beautiful, would you like to accompany me to a special party in a few days?"

[Party?] Deborah asked, confused and amazed.