"Are you really sure you can handle this?"


    Henry fixed Timothy with big, round eyes, clearly skeptical.


    Timothy''s face flickered between pale and flushed. "Whether I can or not, I don''t have a choice. You little rascal have caused me enough trouble already. I don''t have time to deal with you right now-go grab your backpack. I''ll drop you off first."


    Mabel overheard the exchange from the hallway.


    It was clear to her that Mr. Bet was still trying to win back his wife''s heart. The thought brought her a sliver offort.


    She hoped he''d finally open his eyes and see what a good woman Mrs. Bet was. As for She, she seemed fake no matter how you looked at her. Sure, she might be great at charming the little master now, but who could say what the future would hold?


    And the boy-bless him-was too naive. No matter how close he might get to another woman, nothing could everpare to his own mother''s love.


    Timothy dropped Henry off at the Lawson estate. As he was leaving, he pulled out his phone and dialed She.


    He hadn''t reached out to her in days.


    She picked up.


    "I found you a spot on an animated film production," Timothy said. "I''ve already talked to Secretary Allen about the details. He''ll send you the infoter. If you''re interested, take it-the project has potential."


    "Thanks."


    "I''ve been busytely, so I can''t follow up myself. From now on, coordinate with Secretary Allen. If anythinges up, talk to her."


    She sat at her desk,puter in hand, momentarily stunned.


    Was he trying to distance himself from her?


    For Jessica''s sake?


    Even though she realized it, she managed tough softly and say, "Alright. Just... take care of yourself, even when you''re busy."


    "Yeah. I need to go."


    She listened to the dial tone after the call ended, feeling the rift between her and Timothy grow wider.


    Timothy was trying to win Jessica back. Jessica hade to see her-it seemed she wasn''t nning to reconcile with him.


    At this point, Timothy was the only one still clinging to hope, and She wasn''t worried. Jessica didn''t need her interference.


    But if Jessica ever did want to get back together with Timothy...


    Then it''d be time to let her know the truth Timothy had been hiding-that he was Salome Zimmerman.


    Just that alone would ensure Jessica would never forgive him.


    For now, Jessica waspletely in the dark; she clearly remembered nothing from her childhood.


    But even if Jessica recalled the past, She wasn''t concerned. She could always deny it. After all these years, there was no way anyone could confront her with the truth.


    Jessica wouldn''t be able to speak until the afternoon, so she hadn''t had a chance to share the good news with Herbert Wheeler.


    That evening, after Timothy left, she called Herbert.


    He answered, and Jessica''s voice came through the receiver. "Herbert."


    He was thrilled. "You''re speaking so fluently now?"


    "Yeah. I suddenly started talking today. Herbert, I can never thank you enough. You''ve done so much for me."


    Her gratitude was impossible to put into words.


    She knew better than anyone how difficult her recovery was. Her grandmother had worried herself sick over it.


    "Jessy, you don''t have to thank me


    like that


    Your recovery was alw


    heading in this direction. itoned so quickly."


    MS


    why


    "Maybe," she replied, "but without your guidance, I wouldn''t have


    gotten better this fast. I really


    grateful. Let me take you out to


    lunch tomorrow."  fo


    "I''d like that."


    "Then it''s a date."


    Jessica hung up and sat at her vanity, gazing at the voice-emitting ne Timothy had returned to her.


    She didn''t know how to navigate things with Herbert. She could ignore everything else for now, but she owed him her thanks.


    Last time she''d tried to buy him a gift, Sallie Lawson had interrupted.


    Maybe that was for the best; it didn''t feel right to give a present like that just yet.


    In the end, she decided to make him a paper cut artwork.


    Her recent pieces had received quite a bit of praise; not only were her paper cuttings decorative, but they also had real value.


    Jessica still had plenty of materials in her toolbox. She pulled it out, selected what she needed, and began sketching her design.


    This was her forte. Her pencil flew across the paper.


    Once the sketch was done, she picked up her craft knife and decided to use ayered technique.


    When Timothy returned that night, he saw the bedroom light still on. He got out of the car and walked up to the window, pausing when he saw Jessica quietly working on her paper cutting, framed by the warm glow inside.


    He lit a cigarette, his gaze never leaving her.


    He''d once thought her silence was what made her so gentle and serene.


    Now, even with her voice returned, she was still the same.


    Except, her warmth once so freely given-was hidden away now, no longer his


    to im.


    Seeing she was busy, Timothy didn''t disturb her.


    He didn''t want to push too hard and ruin everything.


    For now, he''d let her see that he was willing to change, to give her space.


    The next day.


    Jessica had arranged to meet Ines and Vince for lunch as well; both had been there for her when she needed them.


    At ten, she headed out with the paper cutting to have it framed.


    It wasn''trge—about the size of a photo frame, perfect for a desk.


    She wasn''t being stingy with Herbert''s gift; a small piece was simply easier to


    carry and would look good in an office.


    Arger piece was more suited to a home, and she didn''t even know where Herbert lived these days or what his style might be.