She picked up her phone, surprised to see an iing video call from Herbert Wheeler.


    Ever since that day outside the amusement park, when Timothy had forcibly taken her away from the café, she''d been worried about dragging Herbert into her troubles and hadn''t contacted him since. Herbert, for his part, hadn''t reached out to her, either.


    Jessica hesitated for a moment, then epted the call and propped her phone up on its stand.


    As soon as the video connected, Herbert''s cheerful face appeared on the screen. He waved at her with a big, yful grin.


    Jessica couldn''t help but smile and wave back.


    Herbert''s expression softened into seriousness. "Little Mute," he said gently, "do you want to speak again?"


    She paused, caught off guard.


    If Herbert had asked her this before tonight, she would have given a firm no.


    But now, her vocal cords had started to respond—there was a faint glimmer of sound, a feeling that speech was almost within reach. Hope filled her chest. For the first time in years, she actually wanted to speak again.


    It was the first time Herbert had ever asked her this question. He had a reason: his treatment n had finally passed clinical trials. Every person who participated in the tests had regained their voice.


    He hadn''t told her earlier, afraid she''d get her hopes up only to be disappointed.


    Jessica signed quickly at the screen, "Why are you asking me this all of a sudden?"


    Herbert had spent seven years developing a treatment for aphasia, all because of Jessica. But now she was married, and he worried the truth would weigh on her, so he hedged, "I''ve got good news. A doctor friend of mine overseas has spent the past seven years researching a treatment for acquired aphasia. It just passed clinical trials. All fifty patients involved can speak again. Jessica, tell me do you want your voice back?"


    She did. She really did. But confronted with her biggest w, Jessica couldn''t help feeling a pang of anxiety.


    Herbert saw her hesitation and understood. After all, so many years had passed. When she was younger, her grandmother had taken her all over the country, seeking a cure. Jessica had probably stopped believing in miracles a long time ago.


    Thinking of this, Herbert lowered his voice, trying to encourage her. "I know what happened with your grandmother hit you hard. But have you ever thought about what she wanted most? She wanted you to be healed. I know she''s gone now, but if you could stand at her grave and call out to her-Grandma''-don''t you think she''d hear you, wherever she is? Little Mute, will you give yourself a chance?"


    All he needed was a nod.


    But Jessica didn''t answer directly. Instead, she signed, "Is everything with the Wheeler family settled?"


    If Herbert kept helping her, she worried Timothy would go after his family.


    Mrs. Reynolds had alreadye to see her, asking her not to drag Herbert into any more trouble.


    "It''s all fine now," Herbert replied, waving away her concerns. "There were only a couple of tense days. The Wheeler Group can handle itself. If the Lawsons try anything else, I''ll just step away from the family. I take responsibility for my own choices. Timothy''s just trying to keep me from helping you, but he''s the head of a massive corporation-I doubt he''d stoop to revenge if I left the Wheelers."


    "But..." Jessica''s hands moved anxiously. How could she let Herbert leave his family because of her?


    "No buts." Herbert cut her off firmly. "Little Mute, I know you''re worried about dragging me down, but don''t you have any faith in me at all?"