With this, Jessica saw hope-clear and bright, flickering to life in her chest.


    As hope grew, so did her longing to speak. The moment her throat felt a little less raw, she set down her water ss and signed, "Herbert, thank you."


    Herbert smiled gently. "After all these years, you don''t need to thank me."


    She signed again, "With my condition, how long before I can talk again?"


    She needed to know. Half a year-that was all the time she had left. If she could recover within those six months, maybe she could finally do all the things she''d once dreamed of, the ones that had always felt out of reach.


    "We''ll need to wait for your neurological test results before I can give you a definite answer," Herbert replied. "But trust me, it shouldn''t take too long. My friend''s had patients in worse shape recover in about six months. You''re already able to make sounds, so I''d say you''ll be fine within half a year."


    A soft smile spread across Jessica''s lovely face. Herbert could tell how badly she wanted to speak again. Honestly, he thought she''d need much less time—maybe just a few months-but he set her expectations a bit longer, knowing she''d be even more thrilled if she could beat that timeline.


    He led her off for her neurological exam.


    ***


    The night before, She hade home to Moonstrand Vis in a foul mood. She drank herself into a restless sleep, and woke up with her throat burning the next morning. She called Timothy.


    He arrived quickly and, seeing her state, his anger red. "Have you forgotten how many surgeries your vocal cords have been through? You can''t drink!"


    "I''m sorry..." She''s voice was hoarse, her face twisted in pain.


    Timothy''s expression darkened. "Don''t say another word. I''m taking you to the hospital."


    He had just turned away when a shrill cry rang out behind him. Whipping around, he saw She stumble, her ankle rolling beneath her.


    In three swift strides, he was at her side, catching her by the arm before she could fall, then scooping her up into his arms.


    Nestled against Timothy''s chest, She breathed in the familiar scent of cedar and a hint of smoke from his jacket. For a moment, she felt impossibly close to him. She pressed her cheek against his solid chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. His arms were warm and reassuring, wrapping her in a safety she''d longed for.


    A man like him—so good, so dependable-yet he belonged to that mute woman.


    If he''d only slept with Jessica out of lust, She could have endured it. But she couldn''t shake the feeling that he was falling for her.


    The thought made She''s chest ache with jealousy. It was all Jessica''s fault-her silence, her mysterious allure. Men couldn''t resist a woman who seemed so reserved in public but was wild behind closed doors.


    If that''s what it took, She thought bitterly, she could y that game too.


    Timothy opened the car door and set her gently in the passenger seat. Oddly, the moment they were apart, the restless longing inside her faded.


    Riverside City''s best ENT clinic was at Verdant Grove Healing. Timothy, worried about She''s throat, decided to take her there first before getting her ankle checked out. So he carried her straight inside.


    ***


    Jessica had just finished her neurological exam when Herbert led her to the ENT wing, wanting to run a thorough scan of her throat before deciding on a treatment n.


    As they rounded the corner, they spotted Timothy striding down the hallway, carrying She in his arms.


    Timothy''s cool,posed gaze met Jessica''s just as he passed.