She had spent years suppressing her true self-first for her adoptive parents, then for Timothy. For as long as she could remember, she'd kept her real feelings

locked away.

None of it had made her happy.

In the past, at least Timothy's kindness and care had soothed the ache inside her, making all the sacrifices feel worthwhile. He'd mattered to her, and she'd worked so hard to become the woman everyone else wanted her to be. But now, Timothy didn't want her anymore.

So what was the point of all that effort? Why keep forcing herself to fit into a mold for people who didn't love her? If he no longer loved her, then she had every right to reclaim herself. She was done making herself miserable for the sake of others. If she had to suffer, then she wasn't about to make things easy for anyone else, either.

Henry's illness was just the beginning.

When Jessica and Vince returned home, she picked up the sketchbook lying on the coffee table. Mrs. Zimmerman was still waiting for her in the living room, worry etched across her face.

"Jessy, is Henry all right?"

"It's aplastic anemia. There's no immediate danger-if we can find a matching donor for a bone marrow transplant, he'll recover after surgery."

Mrs. Zimmerman let out a relieved sigh.

about Henry. He'd broken her heart one too many times. Yet, she was still his mother. No matter how much pain he'd caused, she could never

pain was something Mrs. Zimmerman understood

was too worried about causing more distress. So instead, she would talk to him, and he wanted to ease her burden in whatever way he

late, Jessy. Why don't I walk

their way upstairs, settling onto

after everything, doesn't make you weak. You're a mother-worrying about your child is only natural. That's what

smile. "You always know what to say,

telling the truth. I want you to be

was the wounds on the inside that hurt the

carefree, like some people-able to walk away and

one

replied. "You're

overcome everything

Vince was more than just an older brother-he was her source of

get so lucky to have you as my

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