Chapter 21
The news was everywhere–no matter where you looked, it was all anyone could talk about.
Timothy and Henry had been spotted out together, and while the world knew Timothy was married, no one had ever figured out who Mrs. Lawson really was. So when the paparazzi finally managed to snap a major scoop, they wasted no time blasting it across every platform, hungry for clicks and attention. Timothy was a giant in the business world, always at the center of public conversation.
But when it came to his private life, he was a fortress–no scandals, no gossip, nothing for the tabloids to sink their teeth into.
Everyone was dying to know: what kind of woman would a man like Timothy marry?}
Unfortunately, the woman in the photo was mostly blocked by Timothy’s tall frame, and the camera had only managed to capture the side of her face–just a glimpse of sleek, jet–black hair.”
But even from that, the polished look of her hair alone set off a wildfire of speculation. People were convinced she had to be the heiress of some powerful family. Jessica hadn’t wanted to see or hear anything more about Timothy. But the moment she unlocked her phone, news about him was everywhere she looked.} Maybe the rest of the world didn’t recognize the woman beside Timothy, but Jessica knew instantly–it was Sheila.}
Nine hundred and ninety million.
Flameheart…@
And Henry, personally crowning Sheila with the family’s tiara.
All those memories jabbed at Jessica’s throat like thorns.
Flameheart. Legend had it that, during the Renaissance, a prince from a dying royal house had fallen in love with his aunt and crafted the ring for her by hand. Flameheart was more than just a jewel; it was a symbol of forbidden love.”
Timothy had given Flameheart to Sheila…
Could Sheila really be his aunt?
Phelps had confronted Jessica twice, grave both times, urging her to find a way to keep Timothy’s heart.2
It was clear–Phelps knew about them and didn’t want them together.
Jessica hadn’t realized any of this until she married into the Lawson family: when Timothy’s mother was pregnant with him, she’d been diagnosed with uterine
cancer.
To give birth to Timothy, she’d refused treatment.
On the day Timothy was born, his mother died from massive hemorrhaging.3
She became his forbidden memory.
No one in the Lawson family ever spoke of Timothy’s birth mother.
Jessica didn’t even know her name.
She’d never met anyone from his mother’s side of the family, either.
She couldn’t say for sure if Sheila was truly Timothy’s aunt.
But she was certain of one thing: Timothy loved Sheila.
Loved her with a fiery, consuming passion.
Jessica pressed her lips together. She’d been planning to file for divorce, but not a single lawyer was willing to take on Timothy.
And now, with a cancer diagnosis hanging over her, she only had half a life left. Divorce or no divorce, it hardly mattered.
Once she was gone, Timothy would be single again.
Still, she decided–she would see it through. She didn’t want to spend her final six months as Mrs. Lawson.
Once Timothy and Henry returned from Oakwood, she’d make a trip to Riverside City and talk to Timothy about the divorce.
As it happened, Ines’s next comic convention was in Riverside City, too.
When Sheila saw the trending news online, she rushed straight to Timothy’s hotel room.
Timothy and Henry had arrived later than the others; he’d booked a presidential suite. After Sheila learned they were in, Henry had invited her to move into their suite. “Timothy? Are you awake?”
“I am.”
Sheila didn’t wait for further invitation. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Timothy had just come out of the shower, a white towel slung around his hips.
His body was all clean lines and hard muscle, the classic V–shaped torso on full display.
Sheila flushed crimson and spun instantly on her heel.
“Sorry–I didn’t know you were in the shower.”
Timothy reached for his robe, slipping it on and tying the belt with effortless elegance.
“Is something wrong?”
“Are you dressed?“>
“I am now.“S
Sheila finally turned around.@
“We got caught on camera. Don’t you think you should contact Jessica and give her an explanation?” Timothy arched a brow. “Explain what, exactly?”
LA
