Chapter 97
And yet, just a sliver of kindness from Timothy was enough to make her doubt everything she’d believed.
She even caught herself hoping to hear his explanation, longing for him to make it all clear.
But what kind of explanation did she expect, really? He’d taken Sheila on a business trip and they were staying together. What was there left to explain?>
She felt utterly useless.
A single gentle word from Timothy, and she crumbled.
If Timothy truly cared about her, why had it taken him seven years to remember her birthday?!
Love really was a master illusionist, blinding people to the truth.
Jessica picked up her phone, left the bedroom, and handed it back to Mabel.
Mabel noticed how pale Jessica looked. She wanted to ask if there had been a fight with Mr. Smith, but didn’t dare press further. Ever since Sheila had appeared in their lives, the whole house felt tense and on edge.
Jessica typed a message on her phone.
“Mabel, I’m craving those crystal dumplings from Velvet Fork. I’m heading out for a bit.“”
“Please be safe, ma’am.”
Jessica slipped off her wedding ring and set it gently on the vanity.”
She didn’t take anything with her except her small purse as she stepped out.”
Standing by the curb, she waited for a cab.
Suddenly, a familiar car pulled up beside her. The window rolled down halfway and Herbert leaned out.
“Hey, Little Mute, where you headed?”
Jessica signed, “Why are you here?”
“Just passing through. Hop in–wherever you’re going, I’ll give you a ride.“)
Herbert got out and opened the passenger door. Jessica hesitated, then slid into the seat.
As the car pulled away, Herbert glanced over. “So, Little Mute, you still haven’t told me where you want to go.”
Jessica started signing again, “Take me to the train station. I want to go home.”
That morning, she’d skipped breakfast so she could rush back to the hospital for Henry, afraid he’d go hungry. She’d been running on empty ever since. Henry had made her so angry she’d almost passed out, and then everything at home had happened.
She felt as if all her energy had been drained, leaving her limp and hollow.
Her hands fluttered weakly as she signed.
Herbert noticed how pale and exhausted she looked. He didn’t feel right about letting her travel alone. “I’m free today anyway. Let me drive you instead.”
“It’s a two or three hour drive,” Jessica signed hesitantly.
Herbert grinned. “What, don’t trust my driving?”
together
Jessica pressed her lips together and replied, “It’s not that. I just don’t want to take up your time.”
F IM I II I
“I just got back to the country. There’s nothing urgent I need to do. Last time I visited home, I hardly had time to see any family or friends. This is the perfect excuse to visit them. So really, I’m not just driving you out of my way.”
Jessica nodded silently, letting it go.
After a while, Herbert spoke again. “That day… Sallie didn’t give you any trouble, did she?”
Jessica shook her head. She was used to Sallie’s temper by now.
Still, Herbert couldn’t help worrying. There were questions he wanted to ask, but he didn’t know how, not about things as private as her marriage.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that Jessica wasn’t happy at home.
A truly happy woman had a light in her eyes–Jessica’s were dim, shadowed.
Herbert was still trying to figure out how to gently broach the topic when he glanced over and realized Jessica had fallen asleep.
How exhausted must she be, dozing off so quickly?
They’d barely started the drive.
He frowned, easing up on the gas.
A trip that should have taken two or three hours stretched to nearly five.N
It wasn’t until they were almost at Jessica’s hometown that she finally stirred.
Herbert’s chest tightened painfully. What kind of life was she living, to be this worn down?
When she woke up, he promised himself, he’d ask her–no matter what
