Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 24

"She's my aunt. Anyone who dares to print a single lie-be ready to disappear from Riverside City."

His voice was cold and commanding, every word laced with warning.

No one dared question him.

The reporters all knew exactly what Timothy's words meant.

His intimidating presence parted the crowd; journalists scrambled to clear a path.

Jessica stared at the large screen overhead, watching as her husband shielded Sheila.

Aunt.

What a perfectly convenient excuse.

The photographers knew what they were doing, too. They managed to capture Timothy, their son, and Sheila in a way that made them look every bit the perfect family.

Like a genuine family of three.

Herbert noticed Jessica's gaze fixed on the screen. "Little Mute?" he called.

Jessica turned her head, her eyes tinged with a faint, rosy hue.

Herbert glanced again at the screen. "You know Timothy?"

Timothy's reputation clearly preceded him-Herbert had spent years abroad, yet even he knew the name.

smiled bitterly and signed a

you he's my

widened

sounded like a question, he could almost be certain it was

for lies or jokes-certainly not about something like

was married, with a son. But

it Timothy kept her

When Timothy wrapped up his business before coming back home, he'd sent people to inquire about Jessica.

to his hometown, hoping

expected to actually run into

And she'd married.

Married Timothy.

tightened in his suit

awkward smile and signed again, "Just

would never

it would have

knew she was

if she told the

signed the marriage certificate, Timothy had insisted-no,

would remain

wasn't allowed to reveal she was

now, it was clear

want to

dinner? I'm starving. Let's not waste time with these

asked if he'd eaten. When he said no, she'd offered to take him

the two of them headed for