Jessica hesitated, unsure if she should hand her phone to Herbert.

But Herbert had already slipped it from her grasp.

He tapped away in the app store, quickly downloading a new app.

After a moment, he typed a line into the app: "Little Mute, how does this voice sound?"

A stranger's female voice came from somewhere nearby.

"Do you like it?"

He typed again, the same gentle voice repeating his words.

Jessica realized the sound was coming from the necklace.

Her eyes lit up with surprise. She had never seen a necklace like this-it was fascinating.

And the voice sounded eerily similar to her own, as if it carried echoes of her past.

Jessica hadn't been born mute.

Herbert handed her phone back to her.

"With this app, you just type what you want to say," he explained. "The software can mimic your tone, too. And the more you use it, the more natural it gets."

Jessica's heart skipped. The prospect was tempting.

because, after they'd reconnected, he'd begged her to teach him,

or type messages

she could just type, and it would speak for her-no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read her words. It would save

a diamond this size couldn't

typed into her phone: "It's too valuable. I can't accept

voice matched not just her words, but her own cadence and inflection—exactly

into her hand. "Silly, the diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd be upset it

Jessica typed, "How much was it? Let me pay

over a little gift?

letting his kindness stand and typed two words: "Thank

rest," Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace wet, and try to get some sleep. Don't forget our plans

and watching

car disappeared down the street, she turned and unlocked

stepped inside when a warm, strong hand caught her wrist, pinning her

Jessica looked up.

dark eyes met Timothy's, his gaze brooding and

to push him away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was unmovable—tall, powerful,

box with

and with one hand trapped, she couldn't even

open the lid with his

ring he had

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255