She picked up her phone, surprised to see an incoming video call from Herbert Wheeler.
Ever since that day outside the amusement park, when Timothy had forcibly taken her away from the café, she’d been worried about dragging Herbert into her troubles and hadn’t contacted him since. Herbert, for his part, hadn’t reached out to her, either.
Jessica hesitated for a moment, then accepted the call and propped her phone up on its stand.
As soon as the video connected, Herbert’s cheerful face appeared on the screen. He waved at her with a big, playful grin.
Jessica couldn’t help but smile and wave back.
Herbert’s expression softened into seriousness. “Little Mute,” he said gently, “do you want to speak again?”
She paused, caught off guard.
If Herbert had asked her this before tonight, she would have given a firm no.
But now, her vocal cords had started to respond—there was a faint glimmer of sound, a feeling that speech was almost within reach. Hope filled her chest. For the first time in years, she actually wanted to speak again.
It was the first time Herbert had ever asked her this question. He had a reason: his treatment plan had finally passed clinical trials. Every person who participated in the tests had regained their voice.
He hadn’t told her earlier, afraid she’d get her hopes up only to be disappointed.
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