Jessica forced a faint smile.

No matter how tactfully Sallie put it, the message was always the same— Jessica's muteness was a disappointment.

She should try harder.

But Jessica had been trying, day after day, to prove herself worthy of Timothy. She'd done everything she could think of. If only the Lawsons could show her a little more respect, maybe Henry wouldn't have grown so distant, so ashamed of having a mother who couldn't speak.

But what could she do? She was voiceless, powerless.

That's why she was so willing to support Carlisle and the others they worked so hard to prove that even without a voice, they could live, work, and create just like anyone else.

Sallie, meanwhile, felt she'd done all she could for Jessica. She'd given her advice, offered reminders, and now, if Jessica couldn't appreciate it, she'd just have to deal with the consequences herself. As for Sheila, Sallie was sure their grandfather would step in.

With that, Sallie left.

Jessica made her way to Henry's hospital room.

He'd had surgery just before dawn; now that the anesthesia had worn off, he probably still hurt. Even in his sleep, his small face was scrunched up in pain.

She didn't want to blame him. But it stung, deeply, that he clung to Sheila and seemed embarrassed by his own mother. Every time he pushed her away, it cut her to the bone.

slept through most of the day, so she wasn't tired that night.

Morning came.

Henry finally opened his eyes, he saw Jessica dozing beside his bed, her head resting on her arms. Something tugged

opening his eyes to see his mother slumped in the same

he didn't love her. But she couldn't

classmates all envied him-his dad was the wealthiest man in Riverside City, and naturally,

them to find out that his mom

"Mom..." he whispered.

up at

all

Jessica nodded.

app: "Henry, are you hungry? Do you

gentle woman's voice echoed from the phone, and Henry noticed the ring

pleasant enough, but it was still artificial, a reminder that his mother would never speak to him

sign language, Mom. I know how to read

dull ache throbbed

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