Without a marriage license, they wouldn't be a legally recognized couple. Sheila felt a profound sense of unease.

Timothy stated firmly, "I gave you my word, and I won't go back on it. We both signed the divorce agreement. If you're worried, I will publicly announce the divorce first. We'll hold the wedding on January ninth, and as soon as she's discharged, I will personally go to her to finalize the paperwork.”

With Timothy laying it all out like that, there was nothing more for Sheila to say.

"You've never broken a promise to me, Timothy. I trust you. You won't let me down, will you?"

"No," he said.

"Alright then. The wedding first." She had to secure at least one thing.

Her agreement meant Timothy would now have to announce his separation from Jessica. He thought back to when Vince had lied about Jessica's death, berating him for not fulfilling her supposed final wish. Perhaps seeing the news of their divorce would make her happy now.

Timothy opened his phone, composed a short message, and posted it through The Lawson Group's official social media account. He then looked at Sheila. "I've announced the divorce."

Sheila knew any major announcement from Timothy would come through the company's official channels. She quickly opened the app.

There it was. A simple, two-word post: [Single Again.]

It confirmed everything. Sheila finally felt a sense of relief.

Timothy turned his phone off. He didn't want to take any calls right now.

He stayed in Sheila's room with her until she fell asleep that evening, then left. Once he was downstairs he powered his phone back on. A flood of missed call notifications and messages appeared Before t could even begin to read them, his phone rang again. It was Yates.

It was morning in Riverside City. Yates had seen Timothy's post the night before and had been trying to

1.n

reach him ever since. He knew Timothy hadn't wanted the divorce and that it wasnt yet finalized. A public announcement like this meant something was wrong.

“Timothy, is something going on over there?" Even if they were divorced, it wasn't Timothy's style to broadcast it on social media.

Timothy took a deep breath and told Yates everything.

Yates was speechless for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was strained. "Are you sure about this?"

"Do I have a choice? Her life is what matters." All he wanted was for Jessica to get the surgery and get well. Nothing else mattered. He would do whatever Sheila asked.

Yates's voice was heavy. "But you don't want this."

"Without her,” Timothy said, his voice hollow, "it doesn't matter if I get married, or who I marry."

Yates was agitated. "You've been more than generous to Sheila over the years, not to mention what your grandparents did for her. Is none of that enough for her to save Jessica's life without forcing you into this?"

"She loves me. All she wants is to marry me. With an opportunity like this right in front of her, do you really think she'd accept any other terms?"

Yates pressed his lips together. "Then maybe you should take a good long look at what kind of person she really is. Does she deserve the kindness you've always shown her?"