Jessica stopped Larkin, shaking her head. "Let''s just leave it. I don''t want to be
tangled up with their family anymore."
The more you try to sort it out, the messier it gets.
But Larkin''s jaw tightened. "If I don''t confront Phelps about this, I''ll never be able
to swallow my anger. Don''t worry, Jess. I''ll handle this. No matter what, I''ll make
sure your divorce from Timothy goes through smoothly."
It was in that moment Jessica realized: having family, for a woman after marriage,
was the greatest source of strength.
Her grandfather had lost his granddaughter for so many years, and now he knew
in advance all the hurt she''d suffered at the Lawsons'' hands. There was no way
The''d stand by and do nothing.
Jessica didn''t try to stop him again.
Vince put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Come on, I''ll show you to your
room. You''ve had a tough day-just rest here tonight. Let us handle the rest."
"Alright," she agreed quietly.
She was drained, physically and emotionally, from the whole exhausting divorce
ordeal. The idea of rest was a relief.
Jessica followed Vince down the hall to her room.
Stopping at the door, Vince nced back at her. "Even though you haven''t been
home for years, Mom always kept your room ready. After you turned eighteen, she
even had it redecorated."
With that, he pushed the door open.
The room was awash in soft, feminine touches-blush-pink curtains, a crisp white
bed, a neat row of plush toys lined up above the headboard. On the wall hung an
oversized photograph. There was a picture frame on the nightstand too, holding a
photo of her as a little girl.
Jessica stepped inside, her fingers brushing the frame as she picked it up.
Looking at her childhood face, she felt a rush of emotions-grief,fort, longing
-all at once.
This room didn''t feel foreign at all.
Somewhere deep down, it felt like home.
Vince spoke softly from the doorway. "Every year, Mom bought you thetest
clothes for the season. I checked-all the sizes should fit you. Everything you
might need is here. If you can''t find something, just ask. Grandpa and I will be
home early tonight. We''ll have dinner together."
Jessica nodded.
After Vince left, she walked to the wardrobe and opened it. Inside, it was packed
with brand-new clothes, tags still attached.
The vanity was covered with jewelry and trinkets.
Her eyes stung with tears.
So, she did have a family who loved her.
They hadn''t forgotten about her or pretended she didn''t exist. Even though she
was missing, she''d always been in their hearts.
The warmth seeped into the cracks of her battered spirit.
She found herself aching to see her mother.
Now that she was a mother herself, she understood at least a little what it
meant to love your child like that.
Jessica fished out her phone and called Vince.
Earlier, Vince had already contacted the Bryants, letting Mr. and Mrs. Bryant know
that Grandpa was waiting for them at the Lawson estate, urging them to get there
as soon as possible.
He and Larkin had decided to split up-one headed to the Lawsons'', the other to
the Gilded Whisper Estates.
He''d also called Yates, telling him to meet at the Gilded Whisper Estates.
Vince answered Jessica''s call.
"Hey, Jess-"
She hesitated, then said softly, "Big brother."
Vince froze for a second.
They''d only just learned today that they were siblings, but because Jessica had
no memories of her childhood, she''d always called him by his first name.
"You... remembered I''m your brother?"
"Not yet. But I think I should start calling you that anyway. Can you send me your
ID number? I want to book a flight to see Mom."
Their mother was still sick; Jessica couldn''t wait any longer. She wanted her mom
to see her as soon as possible-maybe it would help her recovery.
"Send me a photo of your ID," Vince said quickly. "I''ll have my secretary buy the
tickets for you. You want to go tonight?"
"Yes. Tonight."
"Alright."
Jessica texted him a picture of her ID. Vince, hoping she''d still have dinner with
him and Grandpa, arranged for his assistant to book a flight for after ten o''clock.
Later, Vince pulled up to the Gilded Whisper Estates. As soon as he stepped out
of his car, Yates strode over.
"What''s this about?" Yates demanded.
Vince''s face was grim. "Come inside. You''ll find out soon enough."
On his way over, Vince had texted
Timothy, who replied that he was at
home. After getting his injections at
the hospital, he''d returned. It was
only some minor injuries, nothing
that required an overnight stay-just
antibiotics and a week before the
stitches coulde out. No point
wasting time stuck in a hospital bed.
Vince''s sudden visit could only mean one thing: he wanted to settle ounts.
Timothy knew he''d have to face this sooner orter.
Yates, sensing the tension, frowned. "What''s wrong with you today? Are you still
mad about Timothy''s wife?"
That was the only thing Yates could think of that might put Vince in such a mood.
"The divorce papers are signed.
They''ll be divorced soon. She won''t
be ''Timothy''s wife'' much longer,"
Vince replied coldly. "Soon enough,
you won''t want to call her that at all."
Yates raised his eyebrows. "You''re being cryptic."
Vince strode ahead, Yates following with a sense that something big wasing.
Inside, they found Timothy sitting in the living room.
Yates eyed the scratches on Timothy''s leg and stepped closer, scrutinizing his
face. "Still limping? Did you fall or something?"
Annoyed, Timothy pushed Yates out of the way. "You''re blocking my view."
Vince watched Timothy with a cold, steely gaze.
Timothy picked up a document
folder from the coffee table and
walked over, handing it to Vince.
"This is the property settlement for
my divorce with Jessica. Her share
has already been transferred to her
name-all the details are in here."
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and
continue reading tomorrow, everyone!