I stood up and walked to Jessica's bedroom door, knocking gently.

"Jessica, can I come in? I'd like to talk to you."

The door opened just a crack, revealing Jessica's tear-streaked face.

My heart ached for her.

"Jessica, don't cry. I'm here."

I pushed the door open wider and pulled Jessica into my arms.

Outside, Mia's angry voice continued to ring out.

"You won't pay? Fine! But don't come crying to me when Sophia gets into Yale and you're left with regrets. Don't try to ride on her coattails then!"

I thought, "Yale?

At Sophia's level, she gets nine out of ten fill-in-the-blank questions wrong, and she thinks she can get into Yale. She's dreaming."

"Mom, I don't want to sleep in class, I really don't. I just can't help it. I'm so tired."

Jessica leaned against me, crying.

"I swear I'm not lying. I don't fall asleep on purpose. I'm not slacking off. I don't want to be called 'Sleepyhead.'"

Jessica's words were like knives, cutting deep into my heart.

Being given such a humiliating nickname, I couldn't even imagine what kind of stares Jessica faced at school.

I gently patted her back.

"I know you're not doing it on purpose, Jessica. Don't worry. Tomorrow morning, I'll take some time off work and bring you to the hospital for a checkup."

As I was speaking, I noticed her breathing had become slow and even.

Looking closely, I realized Jessica had fallen asleep.

I started to feel worried. Something was wrong with this excessive drowsiness. What if she fell asleep during the SAT? That would be disastrous.

I laid Jessica down on her bed, then quietly took out my laptop and began working, sitting by her bedside to keep an eye on her.

At around eleven o'clock, Mia suddenly opened the door and walked in.

Seeing me in Jessica's room, she jumped in surprise.

"You... what are you doing here?"

I looked at her, puzzled.

"Where else would I be?"

Mia awkwardly touched her nose and set the glass of milk she was holding down on the table.

"I noticed Jessica was getting ready for bed, so I warmed up some milk for her. She'll sleep better after drinking it."

Jessica had always had the habit of drinking milk before bed. Ever since Mia moved in, she had eagerly taken over the task of heating up the milk.

I turned away, my tone indifferent.

"No need, Jessica's already asleep."

Mia frowned at the sight of Jessica sleeping in bed, muttering under her breath.