She had spent years suppressing her true self-first for her adoptive parents, then for Timothy. For as long as she could remember, she''d kept her real feelings


    locked away.


    None of it had made her happy.


    In the past, at least Timothy''s kindness and care had soothed the ache inside her, making all the sacrifices feel worthwhile. He''d mattered to her, and she''d worked so hard to be the woman everyone else wanted her to be. But now, Timothy didn''t want her anymore.


    So what was the point of all that effort? Why keep forcing herself to fit into a mold for people who didn''t love her? If he no longer loved her, then she had every right to reim herself. She was done making herself miserable for the sake of others. If she had to suffer, then she wasn''t about to make things easy for anyone else, either.


    Henry''s illness was just the beginning.


    When Jessica and Vince returned home, she picked up the sketchbook lying on the coffee table. Mrs. Zimmerman was still waiting for her in the living room, worry etched across her face.


    "Jessy, is Henry all right?"


    "It''s astic anemia. There''s no immediate danger-if we can find a matching donor for a bone marrow transnt, he''ll recover after surgery."


    Mrs. Zimmerman let out a relieved sigh.


    Jessica didn''t want to talk about Henry. He''d broken her heart one too many times. Yet, she was still his mother. No matter how much pain he''d caused, she could never stand by if something happened to him.


    Jessica''s pain was something Mrs. Zimmerman understood all too well.


    Vince knew Jessica wouldn''t confide everything in her mother-she was too worried about causing more distress. So instead, she would talk to him, and he wanted to ease her burden in whatever way he could.


    "It''s gettingte, Jessy. Why don''t I walk you to your room so you can rest?"


    Jessica nodded, and together they made their way upstairs, settling onto the sofa in her room.


    Vince reached over, his voice gentle. "Jessy, don''t be upset. Just because you still care about your child, even after everything, doesn''t make you weak. You''re a mother-worrying about your child is only natural. That''s what makes mothers so remarkable."


    Jessica mustered a small smile. "You always know what to say, big brother."


    "I''m just telling the truth. I want you to be happy."


    Sometimes, it was the wounds on the inside that hurt the most.


    "I just wish I could be more carefree, like some people-able to walk away and never look back."


    "But that''s one of your best


    qualities, Vince replied. "You''re kind,


    Jessy. really believe that sometime soon, you''ll ovee everything that''s holding you back, and?ou''ll find real happiness."


    To Jessica, Vince was more than just an older brother-he was her source of strength. Whenever she felt lost or helpless, he always managed to lift her up.


    "How did I get so lucky to have you as my brother?"


    "Well, you''re pretty wonderful


    yourself, you know. Things are finally


    looking up aren''t they? The ticket


    sales on the second day more than doubled-almost two hundred million now. There''s a buzz about the film being a major hit. Even though you''ve been away from work these seven years, your kindness to others ising back around. All the hardships you''ve been through—think of them as stepping stones. One day, you''ll look back and realize you''ve risen above them all."


    Jessica gazed at Vince, feeling a surge of hope and determination well up inside her. No wonder he could stand up to Timothy-most of the time, Timothy didn''t know how to handle him. Vince really was an extraordinary person.


    "Big brother, I might not understand everything you say, but I know I have to do what''s right."


    Like helping the housekeeper, supporting Carlisle''s team, and reaching out to anyone else who needed a hand.


    She did it because she knew how it felt to be in need-she''d been there herself.


    Later, she''d met Ines.


    And, of course, Timothy hade into her life when she was at her lowest.


    Jessica understood what it meant to need help, and she knew what it meant to receive it.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!