Timothy''s sharp, handsome features were so dark with anger, it was as if a storm cloud hung over his face. Whatever patience he had left was vanishing fast.


    "Jessica." His voice was icy, each word razor-edged. "Have I been too lenient with you?"


    He''dpromised again and again, thinking she''d finally meet him halfway.


    But instead he let out a short, humorlessugh.


    Without warning, Timothy grabbed her wrist, his grip harsh and unyielding.


    A fierce pain shot up Jessica''s arm, and before she could react, he''d all but manhandled her into the car.


    The door mmed shut behind her.


    She reached out, trying to open it, but Timothy had already locked it. He strode around to the driver''s side, only unlocking the doors once he was seated behind the wheel.


    Jessica tried again to reach for the handle, but Timothy pulled her back, his hand firm and unbending.


    "Must you ruin everything?" he snapped.


    Yesterday, he''d made Henry copy out "A Mother''s Love" a hundred times as punishment, then took him to the amusement park as a reward. He''d insisted Jessicae along, hoping their first family outing would teach Henry to show his mom some respect.


    He''d gone to all that trouble, and she still didn''t understand his intentions.


    Seven years married-he''d always thought of her as a sensible, gracious wife who knew when to push and when to yield.


    Buttely, she''d been disappointing him again and again.


    Jessica raised her hands, signing, *You know I''m on my period. Why are you forcing me?*


    Timothy''s face grew darker, his tone colder. "You''re going to the amusement park —whether you like it or not! Who gave you the right to say no to me, huh?"


    She was pushing him right to the edge.


    He''d conquered the business world-was he really going to let one woman defy him?


    His jaw clenched as he yanked the seatbelt across her, fastening it with a harsh, grating click.


    Jessica looked at the man beside her-so distant, so cold, a faint, resigned smile on her lips.


    The gentle Timothy fromst night felt like a trick of the light.


    Not that she''d ever believed it. From the day she married him, Jessica was under no illusions about their differences. She''d always been careful not to overstep.


    And being mute since childhood, she''d learned to swallow countless jabs and taunts; pride was a luxury she''d long since given up.


    But everyone has their limits.


    His ruthless, unyielding words cut through herst line of defense.


    She was a grown woman, a legal citizen-she had the right to say no.


    Just because he was her husband didn''t mean he could keep forcing her. The self-restraint she''d bottled up for days finally erupted. Jessica signed furiously, *Is it because I can''t speak that you think I''m easy to bully? That you can threaten and force me just because you have money and power? If you''re so tough, why don''t you go im your real true love instead of using me as your shield? I may be mute, I may be disabled, but I''m still a person-not your tool!*


    She didn''t care if she made him angrier. Her hands moved rapidly, signing, *So what if you''re so capable? All you know how to do is bully a mute woman!*


    Timothy''s anger, barely contained for days, was about to boil over. His expression was so fierce it chilled the air around them.


    Jessica could feel the tension, but for once, she wasn''t afraid.


    She''d never been this brave.


    She was dying anyway-the cancer diagnosis hung over her like a sentence. Every day, Timothy and Henry tore at her heart until it bled. What more did she have to lose?


    Even a cornered rabbit will bite.


    So what if she died six months earlier than expected?


    Timothy''s lips were pressed into a thin, bloodless line.


    Every time she called herself a mute, it grated on his nerves.


    Jessica red at him, unflinching, meeting his fury head-on. She was ready for


    the storm.