If she refused to give She any credit, then in Sallie''s eyes, She was nothing at all.


    As she spoke, Sallie pulled out her phone. Panic shed across She''s face- she scrambled up and rushed to hide behind Timothy, her voice trembling with hurt as she pleaded, "Timothy, you were drunk. It was you... you''re the one who..."


    She''s eyes shone with unshed tears.


    Years ago, She was the child Sallie''s grandparents had adopted. The old couple doted on her, and when they were little, Sallie and She had gotten along well enough.


    But as they grew older, things changed. She knew perfectly well about their family connection, yet she still got tangled up with Timothy. Sallie''s resentment grew with every passing year.


    She had spent thest seven years abroad, living afortable life while Timothy settled down, got married, and had a son. Everything was finally as the family wanted—until She unexpectedly returned home.


    Justst week, Sallie''s grandfather had assured her that nothing would ever happen between She and Timothy, that she had nothing to worry about.


    How could she not worry, when they were practically on the verge of sleeping together?


    Clutching her phone, Sallie was determined to catch She running to their grandfather withints. Timothy, forcing himself to stand despite his weakness, remembered that he''d been the one to cross the line with She and now she was catching hell for it. His voice was low and hoarse: "Put the phone away. This has nothing to do with her."


    He''d been drunk, mistaking She for Jessy.


    Timothy pulled She behind him, shielding her.


    Sallie''s embarrassment red into anger. "You''re still defending her?"


    "Go close the window," Timothy said coldly. "Once you''re done, drive me home."


    He had to leave. He felt like he wasing apart at the seams.


    He needed Jessy.


    While Sallie stomped off to close the window, Timothy fought to stay conscious, his mind foggy. "I''m sorry," he murmured. "I''ll exin everythingter."


    He was a young man with blood running hot; he told himself he''d only ended up in this mess because it had been too long since he''d had any kind of release from Jessica, and tonight''s drinks had only made it worse.


    When Sallie came out of the bedroom, she grabbed Timothy''s arm, shooting She a cold, suspicious look.


    Why was She even here, dressed like that? Did she live here now?


    Sallie caught the sharp scent of liquor on Timothy. He was clearly drunk-she didn''t have time to fight with She tonight. She''d deal with her tomorrow.


    She hauled Timothy out to the car and sped off toward The Gilded Whisper Estates.


    Once home, Timothy hurried to the master bedroom, calling softly, "Jessy?"


    But Jessica was nowhere to be found.


    Sallie caught his arm. “You reek of alcohol. Go take a shower first."


    "Where''s Jessy?"


    He''d told her to wait for him at home.


    "I kicked her out!"


    Timothy''s expression darkened instantly. "Who told you to do that?"


    He''d worked so hard to get Jessica toe home.


    "She pped Henry across the face-you know that? The poor kid''s cheek was bright red. And she had the nerve to say he''s her son and she can do what she wants. She clearly doesn''t respect the Lawson family at all."


    "Get out."


    Timothy''s anger was barely contained.


    "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    He physically pushed Sallie out the door.


    He needed to see Jessy-immediately. The memory of how close he''d just been


    to She, how he''d almost kissed her, made his jaw clench.


    Timothy stalked to the bathroom, his lips pressed into a thin line.


    Cold water thundered over his skin, only barely soothing the desire gnawing at


    him, ready to boil over at any moment.


    He forced himself to wash up and change clothes, summoning all his Wer to keep it together. Then


    he


    the driver take him straight to


    Jessica''s apartment.


    Jessica had already packed her bags.


    A heavy, insistent pounding rattled the front door.


    She knew-of course there was only one person it could be.


    She wanted nothing to do with him.


    "Jessy, if you don''t open up, I''ming in."


    Annoyed, Jessica finally strode over; she knew if she didn''t face him, he''d just use


    the Wheeler Group as leverage against her again.


    The moment she opened the door,


    Timothy eyes bloodshot and wild-forced his way inside. He pressed her back against the door, and without a word, kissed her with reckless, desperate abandon.