Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 5

Timothy arched an eyebrow, staring irritably at the razor in his hand.

"Whatever. I'll just make do."

After Henry got up, father and son sat down together for breakfast.

Henry had barely tasted his chicken noodle soup before he grimaced and called out, "Mom, did you put too much salt in this?"

No answer.

He tried again, a little louder. "Mom?"

Timothy replied calmly, "Stop calling, your mom isn't home."

Immediately, Henry tapped at his smartwatch, trying to call Jessica, but her phone was switched off.

Lowering his voice, Henry said, "Dad, do you think Mom's upset and ran away?"

"She didn't."

With both him and their son at home, Timothy was certain Jessica wouldn't just leave.

"Good. I still think Mom's breakfasts taste better, though."

Neither of them really enjoyed the meal that morning; it just didn't compare to what they were used to.

"Dad, last night Mom made Miss Sheila so mad she left. Is she coming to see me today?"

"She twisted her ankle and is in the hospital. She probably won't be able to visit today."

really hurt. Dad, can you call school for me? I want to

was firm.

his head, not daring to push further, and mumbled, "Can I

"That's fine."

arms around Timothy, standing on tiptoe to plant

you're the best! After school, come pick me up early, okay? So

hair and stood

they left, Mabel came into the master bedroom with her cleaning supplies. Normally, Mrs. Williams took care of the room herself, so it was already spotless. Mabel couldn't understand why Mr. Williams had specifically asked

opened the window to

the place was immaculate, she still methodically wiped down

wind was

a cancer diagnosis letter was pushed even

Jessica had returned to

she'd tidied up the house, the sun

finally turned off her phone, wanting nothing more than

nothing to worry about

switched her phone

chimed nonstop with text and

checked her texts first—several missed calls, some from Timothy,

Mabel was probably calling

she'd have called

she just let it

notifications-Timothy had transferred her two million dollars,

out a bitter, humorless laugh. He needed her out of the

from the morning, one from a couple hours

you always want to try The Silverthread Eatery? Dinner at 7 sharp, meet