He had never truly lost his temper with Vince.


    But what if Vince''s younger sister came back and told everyone that it was she who had tricked her into delivering that birthday cake for Timothy, causing her to go missing?


    The Zimmerman family would never forgive her.


    She couldn''t help but panic.


    It was true-she had a ssmate working in the hospital''s medical administration office. That was the only reason she''d dared to approach Timothy in the first


    ce.


    She never fought battles she couldn''t win.


    She found her ssmate after a quick call, and together they went up to the hospital rooftop.


    From her purse, She pulled out a pair of thetest luxury earrings from LA, handing them to her ssmate.


    She followed this up with a card. "There''s a hundred thousand on this," she murmured. "I need a favor."


    She leaned in, whispering her n.


    Her ssmate patted her chest in assurance. "Don''t worry, it''s nothing. I can get you what you want today."


    Timothy left the hospital, and with his driver''s help, got into the car.


    He gripped the envelope containing the test results so tightly that the leather creased beneath his fingers. Should he tell Vince?


    Vince, not knowing Jessica was his own little sister, had already stabbed him in the back over what happened that day.


    And if Vince found out the truth...


    Jessica was divorcing him. Out of old friendship, Vince had given him a subtle warning.


    If the truth got out...


    The Zimmermans would throw all their power behind forcing him to end the marriage.


    Timothy''s grip tightened; the file folder was crumpled beyond repair.


    No. He couldn''t let the Zimmermans find out.


    But years ago, Salome Zimmerman had gotten lost because she was trying to deliver him a birthday cake.


    Mrs. Zimmerman had been sick with longing for her daughter ever since; her health declined by the day, barely hanging on, just hoping to see her child again.


    If he kept this from Vince, he''d never forgive himself.


    If he told the truth, he would lose her forever.


    Timothy was caught in a terrible bind.


    "Mr. Lawson, should we head home, or-?"


    "To Haven Crest Apartments."


    He needed to see Jessica.


    As the car rolled on, memories from his childhood flooded Timothy''s mind.


    "Timothy, when we yed


    make-believe weddings with Yates,


    you said you''d steal me away to be


    your bride. But you tricked


    nd


    now I''ve married Yates. What should


    I do? I like you better, Timothy..."


    “Timothy, it''s my birthday today. After school, ride home with me and my brother, okay?"


    "Timothy, howe I''ve never been


    to your birthday party? You never invite me. Is it because you


    want me there?”


    "Don''t be sad, Timothy. If you don''t have a mom, I''ll ask my mom to be yours."


    "Timothy, stop practicing calligraphy, it''s tiring. Let''s go y."


    "Don''t do your homework, Timothy. Look at me, I never do mine! My mom and dad say kids are supposed to have fun."


    Fourteen years had passed.


    He''d married her on a reckless whim, never realizing the woman who always called out "Timothy" behind him was Salome.


    As a child, she was gentle and radiant, like morning sunlight-so full of hope.


    Coddled by the Zimmerman family, she''d lived a carefree life.


    When had she lost her voice?


    How had she ended up alone in that remote little town?


    Her adoptive mother died young, her grandmother passed soon after. Before she


    married him, how had she managed on her own?


    A sharp ache rose in Timothy''s chest, wave after wave.


    His usually cold, steady gaze clouded over, blurring his vision with unshed tears.


    When he finally sat in his wheelchair


    outside Jessica''s apartment door, he raised his right


    hand hesitated-then lowered it, unable to summon the courage to knock.