Chapter 19: He's Mute
Rachel sat stiffly next to Arthur's hospital bed, her sharp nails tapped rhythmically on the armrest of her chair.
Her brow seemed to be furrowed with care, lips pressed into a gentle line, but the chill in her eyes was like frost on glass.
She stared at her unconscious son, biting her lower lip.
'You should have died,' she thought bitterly, her jaw tightened.
'You were supposed to be the distraction, and now you're just another problem.'
Arthur's small chest rose and fell within the same rhythm of the machines surrounding him.
The bandages on his head and arms made him look fragile, but Rachel's anger burned too brightly to let her feel anything resembling guilt.
The door opened softly, and Leon stepped inside.
Rachel's head snapped up, her face instantly rearranged into grief.
"Leon," she said, pretending that her lips trembled.
"I'm so glad you're here. He hasn't moved."
Leon stopped in the doorway, looking only at her.
He had a calm face, but his eyes were so intense that made Rachel shift uncomfortably in her seat.
For a moment, Leon didn't say anything.
He simply looked at her one more time, clenching and unclenching his hands at his sides.
He wanted to strangle her, to rip the truth out of her.
He knew now—Rachel had pushed Arthur too. But he couldn't act on his anger.
Not just yet...
Leon forced himself to take a deep breath, smoothing his facial muscles.
He walked to the other side of Arthur's bed and sat down, slowly.
"He's strong," Leon said softly, looking at his son. "He'll pull through."
Rachel nodded quickly, shaking her voice. "Of course he will. Arthur's a fighter."
Leon's jaw tightened, but he kept his tone neutral.
"The doctors said it's a miracle he survived."
Rachel nodded again, moving her eyes nervously to the side. "Yes... It really is."
Arthur stirred slightly, his head turned toward Leon.
His eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first, before finally settling on his father.
"Arthur," Leon said gently, leaning closer. "Can you hear me?"
Arthur blinked a few times, his lips parted slightly.
But he didn't say a word...
"Arthur?" Rachel said, reaching out to touch his arm.
The boy flinched, pulling away from her hand as if it burned him.
Rachel froze, her hand hovered awkwardly in the air before she withdrew it.
"He's... just confused," she said quickly, forcing an awkward smile.
Leon's jaw hardened as he watched the interaction.
'He knows.'
Arthur might not be able to say it, but the boy's reaction was all the confirmation Leon needed.
Rachel had pushed him.
The doctor entered the room moments later, holding a clipboard.
He smiled politely but kept his tone professional.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, I've just completed Arthur's examination."
Leon stood up immediately. "How is he?"
The doctor hesitated.
"Physically, he's stable. His injuries are healing well, though he'll need time and physical therapy for a full recovery."
"And mentally?" Leon pressed for answers.
The doctor frowned.
"It's common for children to experience trauma after an incident like this. In Arthur's case... he's suffering from severe shock. It appears he's become selectively mute as a result."
Rachel's head snapped toward the doctor.
"Mute? Are you saying he can't talk?"
The doctor nodded.
"It's psychological, not physical. He's choosing not to speak because of the trauma. With therapy and a safe environment, he may recover his voice in time."
Leon's jaw clenched. 'A safe environment? That means away from her.'
"Thank you, doctor," Leon evened his tone. "We'll do whatever it takes to help him recover."
The doctor gave a small nod and left the room, leaving an awkward silence for the three.
Leon sat back down, brushing a hand through Arthur's hair.
"You'll be okay, son," he murmured.
Rachel leaned back in her chair, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
"Leon, what are we going to do? He needs to stay home where I can take care of him—"
"No," Leon interrupted immediately, leaving no room for any kind of argument.
He didn't look at her, only at Arthur.
"He needs a stable, safe environment. One where he can heal."
Rachel stiffened, her lips pressed into a thin line.
"And you think I can't provide that?"
"I think we need to put Arthur first. That's all I care about right now."
Rachel swallowed hard.
Later, as they sat in the hospital cafeteria, Leon broke the silence.
"I met Diane," he said abruptly, and casually, but he was watching Rachel closely.
Rachel paused for half a second before plastering a bright smile onto her face.
"Diane?" she said with forced cheer. "Oh, my goodness. That's wonderful. After all these years."
"She's alive," Leon continued, measuring his tone.
"And she's... fragile. But I'm grateful she's safe now."
Rachel's fingers tightened around her coffee cup, but her smile didn't vanish.
"I can't believe it. Poor girl. She must've been through so much."
Leon nodded slowly.
"She has. But unfortunately, she doesn't remember much. The trauma has left gaps in her memory. She can't recall her kidnappers or what happened to her."
Rachel relaxed slightly, the tension in her shoulders eased a little.
"That's... such a shame. But at least she's back with us now."
Leon leaned back in his chair, looking at her.
"I offered her a position in the company. A way to stay close and rebuild her life."
Rachel's eyes widened slightly before she quickly hid her surprise.
"That's so kind of you, Leon. She must be so grateful."
"She is," Leon replied simply. "But I'll need your support on this, Rachel. Diane's going to need a lot of help to adjust."
Rachel's smile faded for a second before she forced it wider.
"Of course. Anything to help her."
Leon gave her a long look, then nodded. "Good. I knew I could count on you."
As they left the cafeteria, Rachel's pleasant expression dropped the moment Leon's back was turned.
Her right hand clenched into a fist at her sides, while she placed the other one next to her lips, biting her thumb.
'Diane's alive. She doesn't remember anything... yet. But what if she does?'
Her jaw was so tight, the teeth almost broke.
'I need to make sure she doesn't. Ever.'