The room was crowded now, and She leaned in to remind Vince, "Vince, since Mr. Zimmerman is so taken with this piece, you''d better have someone put it away before anything happens to it. It''d be such a shame if it got damaged."


    Larkin overheard and quickly added, "Vince, have them take Jessica''s papercut to my study. I want it hung up there."


    No one cherished the piece more than Larkin. He adored the artwork, not just for its beauty, but because Jessica was Alfreda''s granddaughter.


    Jessica''s grandmother, Alfreda Franklin, was a name that carried weight in their circles.


    By the time Mr. Smith and Timothy approached, the servants were already carrying Jessica''s papercut away.


    Tonight was Larkin''s seventieth birthday celebration. Though Mr. Smith was curious about the artwork, he was far too polite to ask the staff to bring it back out just for him.


    Timothy, on the other hand, seemed indifferent. He already knew Jessica could do papercutting—wasn''t it just another crafty project, like making decorations with Henry? Papercutting was hardly in vogue these days; few people truly appreciated it. Still, he supposed most would find Jessica''s work impressive.


    Jessica''s piece-The Grand Canal, Venice had been designed on aputer. Even so, as stunning as it looked on screen, there was a world of difference between digital design and actually cutting it by hand. The manualbor made it all the more remarkable.


    Vince had paid thirty million for Jessica''s papercut, but Timothy was convinced the whole thing was just a show he and Larkin had cooked up. He couldn''t guess what Vince''s real game was.


    As for Lorenzo, he''d been friends with Larkin for years. Of course he''d be on Larkin''s side, going on about some "lost art" of bas-relief papercutting. As if aputer could replicate that! As if Jessica''s hands could actually pull it off! Timothy simply didn''t believe it.


    Yates couldn''t help ribbing him. "Timothy, everyone brought something special for Larkin''s birthday, but you showed up empty-handed. nning to wine and dine on us for free? That''s not like you."


    Mr. Bryant chimed in, "Oh,e on, Yates. Timothy wouldn''t show up without a gift. I''m sure whatever he brought will blow us all away."


    "I agree," someone else added. "Timothy''s the most sessful of the younger generation and generous, too. No way he''de empty-handed."


    Curiosity about Timothy''s gift was mounting. After all, this was Larkin''s seventieth -a milestone birthday.


    Jessica tore her gaze from the conversation and looked at Vince. Hadn''t Vince told her Timothy wouldn''t show up tonight?


    Vince was just about to exin when Timothy gave a faint smile. "My wife already sent a gift on my behalf. Do I really need to bring another?"


    The room fell instantly silent.


    His wife? Who on earth was Timothy''s wife?


    Sallie strode over, her voice cold and low. "Timothy, don''t joke around."


    Thest thing she wanted was for Timothy to publicly acknowledge his marriage to Jessica in front of everyone.


    She clenched her fists. Timothy had never gone public with Jessica. If there was even a chance they might reconcile someday, it would be so much easier if no one knew about his past with another woman. She and Timothy had grown up together; she couldn''t bear for outsiders to learn he''d once been married to someone else.


    There was a time when Jessica had desperately wished Timothy would announce their marriage. That would have meant he finally epted her.


    But now, she wanted nothing more than to sever all ties with him.


    Quickly, Jessica typed a message on her phone and shed it to Vince:


    "I''d like to use the restroom."


    "You don''t know where it is. I''ll show you," Vince offered, getting to his feet.


    As Jessica stood, someone in the crowd whispered, "Why hasn''t she said a word all evening?"


    "Can she even speak?"


    "Vince, is she mute?"


    Even Larkin had no idea that Jessica couldn''t speak.