"For this one-month cooling-off period, you''ll stay at home. I won''t interfere with your work or restrict your freedom. Just remember, until we''re officially divorced, you''re still my wife-so don''t embarrass me."


    Jessica managed a weary smile.


    "All right. Let''s get it over with."


    She finished signing, walked with Timothy out to his car.


    "Jessy."


    Vince called after her.


    She paused for the briefest moment, but in the end, climbed into Timothy''s car without a word.


    Jessica stayed silent the entire drive.


    At the courthouse, the divorce registration went smoothly.


    Originally, Timothy had hoped Jessica would at least pretend for a month that their marriage was intact.


    But seeing how withdrawn and cold she was, he didn''t push it. Just having here home felt like a small miracle-he''d settle for that, for now.


    The agreementy ready-drafted by Timothy, in the same way he''d tricked her intoing homest time.


    Everything Jessica was owed, Timothy included.


    Jessica had no interest in the details; she didn''t want any more trouble or dys. She simply signed her name on Timothy''s contract.


    She didn''t make a scene. After leaving the courthouse, she went back to The Gilded Whisper Estates with Timothy.


    Inside, Sandra and Abell, along with She, were waiting.


    She looked startled. She''d just seen Timothy sign the divorce papers-so why was Jessicaing back with him?


    Sandra and Abell were quietly delighted to see Jessica return, though they had no idea what Timothy had done to bring her back.


    Still, if she was back, maybe there was hope?


    "Jessy, you''re finally home," Sandra said, beaming. "Timothy''s been so worried


    about youtely. We all hope you two can work things out."


    She chimed in, polite for the benefit of Jessica''s foster parents.


    Sandra and Abell wanted to get closer to Jessica-she was, after all, their granddaughter-inw.


    But after everything Timothy had put her through, they felt deeply awkward and didn''t know how to face her.


    Jessica, for her part, was distant as ever. She went straight to the master bedroom.


    All her things were still there. Once inside, she locked the door behind her.


    Sandra hurried over to Timothy. "How''d you convince her toe back?"


    "Don''t worry about it," he muttered, not wanting to exin. "When are you two heading home?"


    He clearly wanted the house to himself.


    Sandra wasn''t offended. She smiled.


    "Well, now that you''ve brought her back, try to treat her a little better. Looks like you two are in for a long cold war-thanks to you, we''re all on her cklist. She probably doesn''t Want to spend time with us so we''ll just go."


    "I''ll have my sister drive you," Timothy offered. The couple was elderly; he didn''t like the idea of them traveling alone.


    Sandra turned to She. "Are youing home with us? If you are, we can all go together-no need to trouble Sallie."


    "I can''t leave yet. I''m still learning from Ines, and I haven''t finished my training."


    She had no intention of leaving-she wanted to keep an eye on how things developed between Timothy and Jessica. If she left now, she''d be out of the loop.


    Still, Timothy was stubborn as ever; he hadn''t even told the Zimmerman family that Jessica was actually Vince''s younger sister.


    Sandra pulled out a card and handed it to She. "Go buy yourself an apartment. It''s not really appropriate to stay here long-term."


    She waved her off. "Mom, I''m fine.


    I''ve already bought a ce. I''m just staying here to keep youpany Once you head home, I''ll move into


    my own apartment."


    This time, Timothy didn''t try to make anyone stay.


    His rtionship with Jessica was already rocky enough-he couldn''t handle


    anyone else''s feelings on top of that.


    "All right, then. Settled."


    Timothy called Secretary Allen to book ne tickets, then asked Sallie to drive the couple to the airport.


    She left with them.


    Before leaving, Sandra and Abell pulled Timothy aside. "Talk things over with Jessica, okay? If you really can''t work it out, just let her go. Forcing things will only make


    everyone miserable-donel.ne


    mat


    Jessica suffer."


    Timothy hated the idea of divorce, but nodded to reassure them.


    Once Sandra, Abell, and She were gone, Timothy let out a long breath. He didn''t disturb Jessica-he just retreated to his study, alone.


    Jessica didn''t waste time worrying about the Lawsons anymore. She threw herself into her work, sitting at herputer, fully focused on her project.


    Vince had helped her a lottely. She was willing to trade a month of her time for news about his sister.


    It waste in Aetherion. Herbert, guessing Jessica should be done with her case by now, sent her a message.


    How did it go?


    Seeing Herbert''s text, Jessica couldn''t suppress a surge of sadness.


    She''d seen the news about the Wheelers the day before and had wanted to contact him.


    At this point, she understood his feelings all too well.


    But for now, she couldn''t respond to them-so she pretended not to notice at all.