The Revenge of the Mute Wife by Melanie Paulson

[I want a divorce.]

Roger was momentarily relieved that she couldn't speak, thinking that no one would understand her. But then he heard some reporters repeating Deborah's words, indicating there were translators among them. "Deborah, you ungrateful wretch," Isabelle declared as she marched toward them, fed up with the mute's complaints. She refused to tolerate anything Deborah did and intended to help her son put her in her place. "Ma'am, step back. Only those involved in the trial should be here," Christian said.

"Mind your own business, you insolent man," Isabelle snapped at Christian before turning to her daughter-in-law. "And you, end this charade. Can't you see you're hurting my poor son with your irrational complaints?" "Well, we'll see about that 'poor' part," a deep voice declared, revealing that the judge had arrived. He had a deep frown as he looked at the crowd.

Roger grimaced, realizing he could no longer avoid the trial. Still, he had several plans to ensure this circus wouldn't proceed fully, hoping to revert everything to how it had been before.

Calling Deborah's transformation surprising was an understatement. It wasn't just her appearance; her gaze and body language exuded strength and determination.

The Andersons were stunned by this new Deborah as well. She was so different from the girl they had always demeaned and humiliated. This new Deborah wouldn't listen to them, which only enraged them further. Fredrick was the most astonished. The way she was dressed made her the spitting image of his late wife, Alexandra. He was then reminded of her last words before she died, infuriating him.

"Silence in the court," a police officer declared, snapping several out of their thoughts. "Presiding, the honorable Judge Carlos," the officer announced as he opened a side door through which an elderly man walked in. Despite his white hair, his walk and posture conveyed strength and authority.

"Be seated," the judge commanded, taking his place. "Now, let's see. We are here for the divorce trial between Mr. Roger Peterson and Mrs. Deborah Peterson."Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

"I refuse to..." Roger began to say.

"Silence!" the judge barked, glaring at Roger for interrupting him. "Counsel, control your client. The trial is just beginning and he will have his time to present his case."

"Yes, Your Honor, my apologies," the lawyer said before quietly pleading for Roger to control himself.

Roger merely rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and sat down.

"Now, returning to the matter at hand, the complaint was filed by Mrs. Peterson, who claims she wants a divorce to allow her husband to be happy with his mistress," the judge read, now glaring at Roger.

"Objection, your honor. My client is a faithful husband and

Caroline couldn't help but laugh.

"Order

Ma'am, keep quiet," the judge reprimanded.

"Sorry, your honor, but the joke was too good," Caroline said, smirking at Roger.

"Counsel, continue."

"Thank you. As I was saying, my client is a faithful husband and doesn't understand his wife's reasons for filing the divorce. We also want to report that she abandoned their home." The lawyer threw a side glance at Christian. "In fact, my client finds the help she received from this lawyer to be suspicious."

Roger, panicking, tried to get his lawyer's attention. "John... no...." he whispered, attempting to stop his lawyer, but was ignored.

"Are you insinuating that Attorney Collins has an ulterior motive in representing your client's wife?" the judge asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, because Mrs. Peterson doesn't have any money. So, I'd like to know how she could afford to hire him."

Roger wanted to bang his head against a wall. The way his lawyer framed his words only armed the idiot Christian with ammunition to attack them.

Deborah frowned as she looked from the lawyer to Roger.

"Now, I feel like laughing out loud at your comment, counselor," Christian said, standing and stepping forward so everyone could see him. "First of all, I love the soap opera plot the counselor has imagined, but I must clarify that I have not engaged in any improper or immoral dealings with my client," he stated, frowning.

I'm representing her because my wife," he pointed to Caroline, "asked me to help. her best friend escape her abusive husband."

D