Vince and Sallie both turned at the sound of footsteps. Yates approached, his face unreadable.


    Sallie nced at Jessica, practically seething. This was it-now everyone would know Timothy had married a woman who couldn''t speak.


    Vince,pletely unfazed, spoke up. “Sallie thinks Jessica''s embarrassing Timothy because she doesn''t talk. Yates, tell me how exactly is Jessica an embarrassment to Timothy?"


    Sallie could barely restrain herself from smacking Vince. She adored her little brother and couldn''t stand the idea of any imperfection tarnishing his spotless reputation. Vince, as always, had to say the one thing guaranteed to make things worse.


    Yates''s gaze swept over Jessica. To him, she looked even more beautiful today.


    "Sallie, Jessica is Timothy''s wife. If Timothy himself isn''t bothered or ashamed, why should you be? I honestly don''t see how she''s done anything wrong." Sallie''s eyes narrowed in surprise. "So even you know she''s Timothy''s wife?"


    Yates arched an eyebrow. "Yeah. Three days ago at Red House-Timothy was with us, and so was she. Kane called her mute, and Timothy actually lost his temper over it."


    Sallie''s lips curled into a cold, mocking smile as she red at Jessica. "You really know how to make a spectacle of yourself, don''t you? Would it kill you to just stay quietly at The Gilded Whisper Estates and mind your business as Mrs. Lawson? But no, you have toe out, let everyone see, stir up gossip. If you have so much time on your hands, why not go toe-to-toe with She instead of parading around Timothy''s circle?"


    "Sallie!" Vince said sharply, using her full name. "Jessica is my guest. Show her some respect. Timothy''s well aware she''s here today. If you want to throw a tantrum, take it up with your brother-not with her."


    Sallie''s face flushed, her expression flickering between anger and humiliation. She and Vince had bickered for as long as she could remember, but it never affected their rtionship; out in public, Vince always looked out for her. Yet here he was, cutting her down in front of everyone, all for Jessica.


    Backed into a corner, people often instinctively look for backup. Sallie turned to Yates. "Yates, did you hear how Vince just talked to me?"


    Yates replied coolly, "You''re Jessica''s sister-inw. Maybe you should think about how you''re talking to her first."


    Sallie was stunned. Both men-taking Jessica''s side?


    She jabbed a finger at Vince, then at Yates. "You two are impossible! You''re driving me crazy!"


    With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off, her heels cking furiously on the floor.


    She would go straight to Larkin andin about Vince-she had to. Larkin had always wanted her to marry Vince, doted on her endlessly. Not that she''d ever be interested in that stubborn jerk. He''d been exasperating her since they were kids.


    Vince turned to Jessica, guilt written all over his face. "I''m really sorry. I invited you here and didn''t manage to shield you from all that. She''s alwaysbeen hot-headed-says whatever pops into her mind Don''t take it to heart."


    Jessica gave him a gentle smile and typed out a message on her phone, assuring Vince it was fine-she didn''t mind.


    Mockery, disdain, the judgmental stares—she''d seen them all, ever since she lost her voice. She''d learned to live with it.


    "You''re amazingly good-natured. Come on, let''s head inside."


    Vince gestured for her to go first.


    Yates


    Jessica walked ahead, Vince nced back. "Yates, you


    t are you standing themel


    for?"


    "I''ll have a smoke. You two go on."


    "All right, but don''t take forever."


    Lighting a cigarette, Yates watched their silhouettes retreat.


    Sallie''s words had been harsh-he could only imagine how Jessica was treated at home in the Lawson family.


    She really did have an umon patience.


    Thest girl he''d met with a temperament like that had been the youngest of the Zimmermans.