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.

bitterly and signed a

you he's my husband, would you

widened in

question, he could

always quiet, reserved, never one for lies or jokes-certainly not about something

a son. But the wife was a mystery-never seen,

had it Timothy

before coming back home, he'd sent people to inquire about Jessica. For seven years,

news, Timothy finally returned to

expected to actually run

And she'd married.

Married Timothy.

in

gave an awkward smile and signed again,

would never marry

if he did, it would have

she was

the

they signed the marriage certificate, Timothy had insisted-no,

would remain

reveal she

was clear her marriage was

to

you say you'd buy me dinner? I'm starving.

he'd eaten. When he said no,

thoughts, and the two of