Chapter 84
He’d made things difficult for her in the study tonight, but she knew he wasn’t exactly faring much better himself.
Seven years together had taught her everything she needed to know about him.
Normally, when Timothy got into one of those moods, he’d never let her off easy. He’d keep her up all night if he could.
But not this time.
Jessica couldn’t help thinking of Sheila.
He had Sheila now.
Whatever he couldn’t get from Jessica, Sheila was there to give.
If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes these past few days, Jessica would never have imagined a man like Timothy–so disciplined, so polished–could fall into such a forbidden affair.
To break through the walls of convention and morality for love… How much must they care for each other??
Especially Timothy.
If he loved, he gave everything.
Maybe that’s why he married her in the first place.
She was disabled, so different from someone in his position.”
The fact that he was willing to marry her made everyone whisper that she must’ve been born under a lucky star.)
If their marriage ever faltered, people would probably think it was all her fault–never suspect Timothy and Sheila’s secret.
And Timothy? He probably believed she was too voiceless, too resigned, ever to walk away from him.
He had a stable marriage, and no one would ever guess there was a Sheila somewhere in the shadows, loving him fiercely.§
Jessica slid beneath the covers, unwilling to think any further. If she let her thoughts wander just a little more, every cell in her body would ache. She turned off the lights and lay down.
Outside, she heard the low hum of a car pulling up the drive.
Moments later, an engine cut out. Silence.”
Jessica frowned slightly.
That sounded like Timothy’s car.
Wasn’t he upstairs? Hadn’t he gone to see Sheila??
A couple of minutes passed, and then she heard the front door open.
Timothy’s familiar footsteps echoed through the hall, growing closer. Her heart fluttered, nerves trembling.
Had she been wrong? Maybe Timothy hadn’t gone to Sheila after all.
The bedroom door creaked open.
Jessica heard the click of the lamp switch as Timothy turned on the bedside light.”
She quickly squeezed her eyes shut, feigning sleep.
“Jessica…“2
His voice was low, right beside her, whispering her name.”
She didn’t answer.
He leaned in, his breath grazing her ear, before gently nipping at the soft skin just behind it.
Her body shivered involuntarily.
“I know you’re awake. Open your eyes.“>
Jessica turned her head to look at him.
Only the warm, golden glow of the bedside lamp was on.
The soft light spilled over Timothy’s features, casting just enough shadow to make him look impossibly handsome–and somehow, even more mysterious.
It took only a second for Jessica’s heart to skip.
He bent down, brushed his lips over hers, and then murmured, his voice husky, “Sorry. I meant to be here at midnight to celebrate your birthday, but there was a little accident on the way to pick up the cake. I’m late.”
Timothy straightened, and Jessica saw the elegantly wrapped cake box in his hand.
Seven years–she hadn’t celebrated her birthday in all that time. She’d almost forgotten today was even her birthday.
But he remembered.
Her heart was a tangled mess.
Once, she would have given anything for this kind of tenderness from him.
But why now?
Chapter 84
Timothy placed the cake on the coffee table in the sitting area and carefully opened the box.
Inside was a black swan cake.
That cake had to be ordered in advance.&
He hadn’t just remembered her birthday at the last minute.
With graceful hands, Timothy took out three candles and pressed them into the cake.
One was shaped like the number two, another like a seven, and the third–a double–heart–he set carefully between the two numbers.
