She put on an innocent act, her tone aggrieved. "What are you talking about? Sure, I''m not rted to him by blood, but I''ve been the Howard family''s daughter for years. I''m still his aunt, you know. How could you use me of something so outrageous?"


    "use you?" Jessica scoffed, then continued in signnguage, her expression icy. "I saw everything. He wrote your name all over that notebook, and there''s a box in the storage room at the Gilded Whisper Estates-filled with proof that you two nearly got married. If it wasn''t for love, do you think someone like Timothy would risk everything to marry you?"


    This was exactly the scenario She had hoped for.


    Back then, before she left, she''d packed away all those things and stashed them in the storage room at the Gilded Whisper Estates.


    She bit her lip, feigning embarrassment at being caught. "When did you find out?"


    So she admitted it—she and Timothy really were going to get married.


    Jessica''s only regret was realizing it toote. If she''d known sooner, she wouldn''t have wasted seven years of her life on Timothy.


    Now, she was finally certain she wanted a divorce.


    The two of them had always been living a forbidden love. They needed someone else to cover for them, to act as a convenient excuse. But real love is always too crowded there''s never room for a third person.


    Jessica''s voice was calm but resolute. "The first three months after Timothy brought you home," she answered. "We''re both women, She. I get how you feel. But love''s a crowded thing-can it ever really fit three people? Don''t you want me out of the picture for good?"


    She stared at Jessica, momentarily speechless.


    Jessica actually believed her bond with Timothy was unbreakable.


    But if it were truly unbreakable, would things havee to this?


    Jessica was right-love is crowded. It can''t hold a third wheel. And She could feel herself slipping out, getting pushed to the margins.


    Timothy was never one to talk much. Clearly, he''d never really opened up to Jessica, either-otherwise, she''d never think this way.


    But maybe that was for the best. As long as Jessica kept believing in the strength of her marriage, She still had a shot.


    She forced a gentle sigh. "But it''s all in the past, Jessica. Don''t overthink it. Timothy loves you now. He wants to spend his life with you. That''s why he won''t sign the divorce papers. Are you really willing to just walk away from him?"


    The best oue would be for Jessica to give uppletely. Love is dangerous -one spark, and it can all go up in mes.


    Jessica''s lips curled in a bitter smile. "Haven''t I made myself clear enough?"


    She tried to sound concerned. "But what about Henry? You''re just going to walk away from him, too?"


    Henry, her son—who barely even saw her as a mother anymore.


    What was left for her to hold onto? Even if she wanted to stay, the Lawsons would never give her custody. The divorce proceedings had dragged on for ages. Fighting for Henry would only make it worse.


    "I can''t do anything," Jessica said tly.


    "He''s just a little boy. He still needs his mother," She pressed, her voice soft but insistent.


    Jessica was running out of patience. There was a time she believed Henry couldn''t live without her, but reality had proven otherwise. All the days she''d spent away from home, Henry had barely reached out. The one time he did, it was for She.


    A son like that—it hardly mattered if he was by her side or not. Let him stay with his father. At least Timothy would never treat him as coldly as he''d treated her.


    “She, I''ve said everything I need to say. What are you waiting for? The role of Mrs. Lawson is yours for the taking. With Timothy''s feelings for you, you just have to make a move."


    Suddenly, She shot to her feet. "You''ve got it all wrong. There''s nothing between Timothy and me. Please, stop saying these things. You''re only making things harder for both of us."


    She couldn''t afford to leave any evidence behind. Timothy wasn''t just anyone; if she slipped up and he found out, their future would be ruined.


    Seven years ago, she''d been too impatient, thinking Timothy''s stubbornness alone would be enough to get what she wanted. But she''d underestimated how much


    both the Lawson and Howard families cared about appearances. This time, she''d either solve


    everything once and for all or not act


    at all.


    Jessica stood up as well, her eyes hard. "We''re both women, She. Who are you


    trying to fool? You think no one can tell how you feel about Timothy?"


    "That''s their opinion, not mine,"


    She replied coolly. "Jessy, I know you want a divorce. You''re making progress, aren''t you? Vince Zimmerman''s even willing to go against Timothy to help you. They''ve been friends for years-doesn''t that mean anything to you?"


    She wanted to see if Jessica remembered anything from their childhood.


    "What''s that supposed to mean? What do you mean, doesn''t it mean anything to me?" Jessica''s confusion was in.


    If She had just said "he likes you," Jessica might have brushed it off. But "mean anything" that threw her off.


    She studied her carefully. Jessica really didn''t remember the past at all.


    She leaned in, her voice low. "A man willing to help a woman, no matter the


    cost-if that''s not love, what is? Sometimes, it isn''t just romance that lingers in our subconscious... There''s more to it than love alone."