Vince''s smile faded as he strode over. "Sallie, why can''t shee?"


    Sallie shot him a sharp, icy re. "Don''t tell me you don''t know she can''t speak."


    Vince''s expression darkened. So what if Jessica was mute? It never made him think less of her-in fact, he admired her all the more for it.


    A woman who couldn''t utter a word, yet created paper cuttings so intricate and lifelike, clearly worked harder than most people ever would. He respected her deeply.


    "Is it her fault she can''t speak? Do you think she wanted this? Sallie, you''ve always been arrogant and overbearing, but even so, Jessica is your twin brother''s wife. How can you talk about her like that?"


    Vince was known for being smooth with people, but he never indulged Sallie''s spoiled temper. That''s why, ever since they were kids, every meeting between them ended in bickering.


    Sallie let out a coldugh, refusing to waste any more time arguing with him.


    Everyone at the Zimmerman family''s birthday g tonight was from their own circle-family, old friends, and big names from politics and business. If word got out that Timothy had married a mute woman, it would be a stain on his reputation. Her gaze was mocking as she looked Jessica up and down. "You''ve got some nerve, getting Vince to stand up for you. And look at you-dressed like you''re desperate for attention. Are you trying to embarrass Timothy? Just go home, will you? Stop making a spectacle of yourself."


    Vince reached out and pulled Jessica behind him, shielding her with a protective arm. His gentle face was edged with anger. "No wonder she wants a divorce. Is this how the Lawson family always treats her?"


    Sallie narrowed her eyes and snapped, "Vince, you''re getting way too involved. She is mute-am I wrong about that? Has she even told you she wants a divorce?"


    Stepping from behind Vince, Jessica held up her phone. She''d typed out a message and now showed it to Sallie:


    "I really am divorcing Timothy. And please stop pestering me. I''m not going back tonight."


    She wasn''t going to keep sacrificing her life for anyone in the Lawson family.


    Larkin loved her paper cuttings. Vince was willing to stand up to


    Timothy and Sallie for her. Jes


    warted to hold on to these tare


    She was determined to attend the g-no matter what.


    Sallie was fuming. "You''re not going home? Do you want everyone to know you''re Timothy''s wife?"


    Jessica calmly typed out another line: "I''m divorcing him. Don''t worry-I won''t tell anyone we''re married."


    Sallie red, her patience at its end. "Fine, you''re really not going back? I''ll call Timothy right now."


    She pulled out her phone, but Vince cut in, sounding annoyed. "It won''t matter if you do. She''s not here as Mrs. Lawson-she''s my


    nove


    grandfather''s invited guest tonight."


    Sallie hesitated, then lowered her phone.


    "How did you two even meet? I can''t believe she actually knows your grandfather: Don''t lie to me, Vince remember you''ve crossed Timothy before and he let it slide. Now, you''ve met Jessica, found out she can''t speak, and brought her here just to embarrass Timothy-so everyone finds out he married a mute woman?"


    Vince''s voice was cold. "How does having a mute wife embarrass him?"


    A deep, familiar voice cut through the tension behind them. "What are you all arguing about?"