"Thank you forforting me. Honestly, I feel a lot better after talking to you. I really thought I was a failure."
She forced a smile, trying to keep herposure.
"I''ll take care of this. You don''t need to worry about it just focus on your own life," Timothy said, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
With Timothy''s reassurance, She''s anxiety faded. She trusted he''d always have her back.
Jessica''s situation was entirely different. Now that she was on her own, she had the freedom to throw herself into her career. But Jessica had married Timothy-he was her whole world now. Why botherpeting in the workce, fighting for a slice of recognition, when she already had him?
If She could marry Timothy, she wouldn''t waste a second on a career. Winning Timothy''s heart would be her sole ambition.
Jessica, honestly, had no idea what she was doing.
But maybe that was for the best. The more Jessica insisted on stirring things up, the better She''s chances became.
Timothy drove She home, then prepared to go find Jessica. Only then did he realize she still hadn''t replied to any of his messages. His irritation simmered.
He''d spent so much time coaxing her-wasn''t it clear she should focus on keeping their family together, not making his life moreplicated?
Ever since he''d asked Ines to mentor She, Jessica had seemed to oppose him at every turn. Seven years of marriage, and Jessica had never once mentioned wanting to go back to work. Now, just when She hit a rough patch in her career and needed his help, Jessica suddenly sprang into action.
Paper-cutting, animation, juggling her schedule with impossible precision-always just in time to overshadow She, even making her question her own abilities.
Timothy knew he needed to have a serious talk with her.
He dialed Secretary Allen.
"Find out where my wife''s beentely. As soon as possible.”
Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and there was still so much to do-family traditions, dinner prep he needed Jessica there.
Half an hourter, Secretary Allen called back.
"Mr. Lawson, I found out Mrs. Lawson bought a train ticket this afternoon. She''s headed to Azurehaven."
So she''d gone back to her hometown?
Well, it made sense. Thanksgiving wasing up.
With her family gone, she''d probably returned to pay her respects.
Timothy got on the highway, driving for two hours before pulling up outside Jessica''s old house. Sure enough, the lights glowed warmly through the windows.
He stepped out and knocked on the door.
Jessica hadn''t expected Timothy to show up. When she heard the knock, she assumed it was a neighbor. She opened the door-and there he was, his deep- set eyes locking with hers.
She froze, startled, and tried to shut the door, but Timothy was already inside. He caught her slender wrist, pushing her gently against the door.
Their eyes met; Jessica''s gaze was defiant, while Timothy''s burned with anger.
Jessica tried to break free. Timothy''s hand gripped her chin, and without a word, he pressed his lips to hers.
Jessica arched her back, pushing against him in protest. The old wooden door rattled loudly from her struggle.
The harsh sound seemed to snap Timothy out of it. He released her.
Jessica quickly turned away, catching her breath in short, uneven bursts.
When she finally regainedposure, she red at him, her anger ring. She
raised her arm, hand poised to p him across the face.
This time, Timothy grabbed her hand before she could strike.
"Are you addicted to hitting me now?"
What else could she do? She couldn''t out-argue him-her words always failed her —and physically, she was no match.
Timothy kept hold of her wrist, leading her farther into the house.
Before Jessica had arrived, she''d tidied up the ce, pulling off the dust covers. Her home couldn''tpare to the grandeur of The Gilded Whisper Estates, but this cozy little townhouse had once belonged to her grandmother. It was old- fashioned, but her grandmother had impable taste. The rooms were thoughtfully arranged, and Jessica had decorated everything with care, filling the house with warmth andfort.