Sallie shot back, "Aren''t you a Lawson too?"


    Ignoring the tension, Timothy bent down to pick up the cane and handed it to Phelps, trying to soothe him. "Grandpa, please don''t be upset."


    Phelps'' frown deepened, the lines on his weathered face seeming even more pronounced.


    Just then, Jessica eased Timothy''s hand away and crouched to gather the scattered bills from the floor.


    Sallie''s lips curled in disdain. "Timothy, just look at her. Is money really all she cares about?"


    There was a hardened,plicated look in Timothy''s eyes. He had stepped in to defend her, but she didn''t seem to care at all.


    Phelps gave a cold snort. "Timothy, do you see her attitude? Are we really worth less to her than a pile of cash?"


    Timothy had convinced himself that after all thepromises he''d made for her, she''d at least try to settle in for a month-let things return to normal, give the family some peace.


    Clearly, he''d been fooling himself. Jessica seemedpletely indifferent to his good intentions, determined to keep the household in turmoil.


    At that moment, Henry came downstairs, drawn by themotion at the door. Jessica had already scooped up thest bill and tucked the money away in a box. "Great-Grandpa, Aunt Sallie, you''re here! Come in, don''t just stand in the hallway." Jessica picked up the box and headed toward the door.


    "Mom."


    Henry called after her. "Grandpa and Aunt Sallie are here-aren''t you going to make breakfast? I want your chicken noodle soup. I haven''t had it in so long. Can you make extra today? Miss She wants to try some too."


    Henry didn''t know She had left in the middle of the night.


    Jessica nced at him, her eyes t, a tight ache rising in her chest. She looked away quickly and walked out, ignoring the entire Lawson family as if they didn''t exist.


    Phelps thumped his cane in anger. "This is outrageous! She''s turned her back on her child and her husband-just for money? Jessica, stop right there!"


    Jessica didn''t even look back.


    Sallie frowned at Timothy. "Timothy, are you just going to let her treat everyone like this? I don''t expect her to cook for me, but what about Henry? Didn''t you hear him say he hasn''t had her chicken noodle soup in ages? No wonder he''s gotten so close to "


    She was hardly a good influence, and Sallie bit off the rest of herint, not wanting to admit how much Henry liked She.


    Henry bit his lip, watching his mother walk away, feeling worse with every step she took. He''d promised She he''d ask his mom to make her chicken noodle soup when she came back, but now Mom was leaving again.


    He was so frustrated he could scream.


    Sallie quickly shifted topics. "Timothy, why are you giving Jessica so much money?"


    "That''s her own money, not from me. Come in, everyone. Why are we all crowding in the foyer?"


    The family finally made their way to the living room, where Sallie pressed on. "Timothy, stop making excuses for Jessica. She''s never worked a day in her life,


    and she can''t even speak. Where''d she get that kind of money?"


    Timothy''s face darkened. "Do you call her mute to her face, too?"


    "She is mute. I''m just stating a fact."


    "Sallie, that''s enough."


    Seeing Timothy''s expression, Phelps cut her off, then turned to his grandson. "Timothy, I lost my temper earlier. Sallie told me Jessica bit you so badly you passed out from blood loss. I came first thing to check on you. Then her attitude just set me off. Did I hurt you, son?"


    Phelps never intended to fall out with Timothy over something like this.


    Timothy met his grandfather''s gaze, cold and unwavering. "I''m tough. You could


    hit me and I''d be fine. But what if it had been her you hit?"


    He couldn''t help but picture Jessica''s pale, delicate skin-how even the lightest touch in bed left a mark.


    His frown tightened, his thoughts in turmoil.


    Phelps was at a loss for words.


    Sallie''s expression turned icy. "Timothy, what''s gotten into you-questioning your grandpa over a mute? So what if he hit her? He''s the elder; he''s allowed to discipline his own family."


    "Sallie!" Phelps snapped, cutting her off. "That''s enough out of you."


    "Grandpa—" Sallie''s lips trembled with anger, but when Phelps shot her a warning re, she mped her mouth shut and said no more.