Chapter 23
The house needed a few new things, so Jessica spent the whole afternoon shopping, only returning home after dark. She had just finished putting everything away when someone knocked at the door.!
How odd.
Who would come looking for her at this hour?
Jessica went to open the door.”
To her surprise, it was Herbert Wheeler.!
They hadn’t seen each other in years.
If it weren’t for the tiny beauty mark between his brows, Jessica might not have recognized him.
Back when they were twelve or thirteen, Herbert’s birth father had come to take him and his mother away to Aetherion.%
Even then, they’d managed to stay in touch every now and then.
But seven years ago, after that terrible fire when Jessica lost her phone, she changed her number, and their contact faded to nothing.
Herbert leaned casually against the doorframe, his gaze warm and steady, a hint of amusement lifting his brow. “Little Mute, don’t recognize me?”
Jessica’s eyes trembled with surprise.
Fifteen years had changed him. The wild, impulsive boy she remembered had been tempered into someone sharp yet gentle, the gold–rimmed glasses catching the light and lending him an air of thoughtful maturity.
There was a faint trace of last year’s gardenia cologne on him–one whiff, and memories came flooding back.
As a kid, Herbert had grown up in a single–parent home, his father’s identity a mystery, which always gave people something to gossip about behind their backs. To protect his mother’s reputation, he’d started fighting early on.
In their neighborhood, Herbert was the little boss everyone looked up to.
Still, they hadn’t exactly gotten along in the beginning.
He’d been just like the others, teasing her with that nickname, “Little Mute.”
Somehow, over time, he’d started looking out for her, and wouldn’t let anyone else call her that again.
Except for him. He never stopped calling her Little Mute.
Time really does fly.
Jessica, polite as ever, signed a greeting: “When did you get back?”
“Just now. Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
…2
Timothy had just landed.
His phone rang–the secretary.
“Mr. Lawson, you’re trending online.“>
“That’s hardly worth bothering me about, Timothy replied, irritation clear in his voice.
“Take a look. Do you want us to pull it?”
He figured it was probably about him being photographed with Flameheart the other day.
He couldn’t care less.
“No need.“?
Timothy closed his phone.
Henry held one of Timothy’s hands, Sheila held the other, and the three of them made their way happily toward the airport exit.!
The exit was crowded with people.}
Suddenly, a swarm of reporters surged forward.
Flashbulbs went off in Timothy and Sheila’s faces, relentless.}
“Mr. Lawson, The Lawson Group just officially announced you’ve been married for seven years, but Mrs. Lawson isn’t the woman by your side. Is this your mistress?” “Is the child with you her son?”
“Ma’am, are you knowingly involved with a married man?”
“Mr. Lawson, a few days ago you were seen giving Flameheart to Mrs. Lawson. Is Flameheart now with her, or with your mistress?”
Sheila’s face turned deathly pale. She looked up at Timothy, eyes brimming with hurt.
The crowd around them started whispering, pointing at Sheila.
Timothy pulled out his phone and opened Twitter.”
The Lawson Group’s official account had posted a photo of his and Jessica’s marriage certificate. Awry smile tugged at Timothy’s lips.
He pocketed his phone, lifted his gaze, and met Sheila’s anguished eyes.”
Timothy scooped Henry up with one arm and wrapped the other protectively around Sheila’s shoulders, his expression turning cold as he glared at the reporters.
