Timothy''s handsome face was set in a cool, unreadable expression, a faint trace of confusion between his brows. “Did you need something here?” he asked.


    Jessica replied in signnguage, her gestures sharp and direct. "Yes. Move aside."


    Timothy took his hand off the elevator''s button panel and stepped back.


    Jessica pressed the button for the 18th floor.


    When the elevator doors slid open, she stepped inside without looking at him. Timothy followed her in.


    She stood ramrod straight, as if he didn''t exist.


    The elevator reached the 18th floor. Jessica strode out, making her way quickly to suite 1808. The room was empty save for a server clearing away dishes.


    Her brows knitted, and the light in her eyes dulled.


    Timothy raised an eyebrow.


    "This was where we just had dinner," he said. "Ines was here too. Are you looking for her?"


    His words confirmed what Jessica had already suspected-he''de here tonight with She to meet Mr. Smith.


    She''d worked up so much courage to fight for herself, only to learn her son had lied for She and her husband had run himself ragged for the same woman.


    A sharp ache tightened in her chest.


    She turned away, her steps unsteady. Her eyes were vacant and unfocused as she drifted back toward the elevator.


    Timothy watched her, puzzled. If she wanted to see Ines, there would be plenty of chances. Why did she suddenly look so hollow, as if all the life had been drained out of her?


    She looked like a shell, a shadow moving through the hallway.


    Jessica stepped into the elevator.


    Timothy followed, his lips pressed into a thin, tense line, his eyes dark and unreadable.


    A heavy, suffocating silence swallowed the small space. The air between them was brittle and cold.


    Yates was waiting near the entrance, smoking. He caught sight of Timothy trailing after Jessica, whose face was drained of emotion.


    "Timothy," Yates called out.


    Jessica ignored them both, walking past like they were invisible.


    Timothy paused but kept his gaze locked on Jessica''s retreating figure.


    "Your wife''s not herself," Yates remarked quietly.


    "And you thought telling me was worth wasting my time?" Timothy''s voice was calm, but an icy edge lurked beneath.


    Yates gave a lopsided smile. "So she''s not just an afterthought to you?"


    "Did I ever say she was?" Timothy''s reply was clipped. "She gave me a son. She''s


    his mother. That''s as real as it gets-she''ll never be irrelevant in my life."


    Yates shrugged. "Just saying, that''s not how people talk about you two."


    Timothy''s jaw tightened. Without another word, he turned and hurried after


    Jessica.


    He caught up to her just as she was crossing the street. A car wasing fast. Timothy lunged, grabbing her arm and yanking her back to the curb. His voice was cold and sharp. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"


    Jessica jerked away, agitated, her hands moving quickly as she signed. "I don''t need your concern."


    If she had more time, maybe she''d be more careful with her life. But a few months was all she had left. Whether she died sooner orter didn''t seem to matter anymore.


    Seeing her like this, Timothy bit back his frustration and softened his tone. "It''ste. Let''s go home."


    Jessica red at him, almost impressed by how quickly he could switch gears- from telling her to get lost during the day to coaxing her gently at night. It was infuriating, how false it all felt.


    Anger simmered beneath her skin. Just then, a taxi pulled up. She reached for the door, ready to leave.


    But before she could get in, Timothy swept her off her feet and slung her over his shoulder, striding toward his car.


    Jessica kicked and struggled, but he ignored her, shoving her gently but firmly into the passenger seat.


    From a nearby car, Yates watched the scene unfold. He couldn''t help but smile as he started his engine and drove away.