He''d always thought she looked delicate, but deep down, she was tough and relentlessly optimistic.


    He never imagined she could fall apart like this-crying, helpless, her strength stripped away.


    A memory shed through his mind: a tear-stained little face.


    "Timothy, you promised me back when Yates and I were ying house that you''de and steal me away to be your bride. Why did you lie to me? Sob... Now Yates and I have had our pretend wedding, and I''m his wife. What am I supposed to do? I like you more, Timothy..."


    Timothy frowned, closed his eyes, and only after a moment did he open them again.


    This was only the second time he''d ever seen a girl break down and sob in front of him.


    How did hefort that little Zimmerman girl back then?


    He told her he''d go with her to break off her "marriage" to Yates.


    But there was no way he could use the same trick with Jessica. Promise her a divorce? That was impossible.


    When Jessica looked up again, her tears were gone. Determined, she signed her words to him, her expression unwavering. "Timothy, no matter what you do, you can''t stop me from divorcing you. Don''t think freezing my ounts will make me back down. For seven years, I never once told you ''no,'' but I have the right to now."


    She finished speaking, turned, and reached for the door handle.


    Instinctively, Timothy stepped forward and pressed his hand against the door, blocking her path.


    In this position, Jessica was trapped in his arms. He held her there, his voice rough as he tried to soothe her. "I''ll unfreeze your ounts. I''ll make it public that you''re Mrs. Lawson. As for the divorce, let''s put that aside for now. I know you won''t really leave me and Henry."


    There was a time when she couldn''t bear to leave.


    But things were different now.


    Even if she forced herself to hold on for another six months, she knew she''d end up walking away.


    She''d married him at twenty, and the seven best years of her life had slipped away, wasted on him.


    Now, she only had six months left.


    She used to think time could warm Timothy''s heart, that if their marriage slowly improved, she''d have time to work on her animation, to make her mentor proud.


    Maybe then, she could even squeeze in a weekend ss, teaching kids how to make paper crafts-carry on her grandmother''s legacy.


    But she never imagined life would suddenly run out.


    Six months. That was all.


    Those two important dreams-she didn''t even have enough time for either.


    And still, Timothy wouldn''t give her freedom, not even now.


    What more could she possibly expect from a man like this?


    She shoved him, hard, but Timothy only tightened his hold.


    Left with no way out, she rose up on her toes and bit down, hard, on his neck.


    She couldn''t push him away; she couldn''t escape.


    So she poured all her frustration and regret into her teeth, biting him with everything she had.


    The pain shot through Timothy, burning from his neck through his whole body.


    He felt something warm and wet trickle down his skin.


    But he didn''t let her go.


    He clenched his fists and forced himself to stand stock-still, every muscle taut, weathering the pain.


    Jessica finally let go, her own teeth aching.


    The moment she released him, bright red blood welled up and stained the cor of Timothy''s white shirt.


    She''d bitten through a blood vessel.


    Still, he didn''t fight her. He stood there, unmoving, his face calm, his eyes cool- no trace of anger or distress.


    That unshakeable strength-it was impossible not to be drawn in, impossible for a woman not to be consumed by him.


    He parted his lips, voice still low and rough. "Feel better now?"


    The blood kept flowing, a shocking, vivid red.