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.

and signed

you he's my

pupils widened

like a question, he could almost be certain it

reserved, never one for lies or jokes-certainly not

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

it Timothy

before coming back home, he'd sent people to inquire about Jessica. For seven years, there was nothing-no

no news, Timothy finally returned to

to actually

And she'd married.

Married Timothy.

hand tightened in his suit

an awkward smile and signed

never

he did, it would have to

one knew she

the world, who would believe

signed the marriage certificate, Timothy had

would

wasn't allowed to reveal

at Jessica now, it was clear her marriage was

want to touch

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

if he'd eaten. When

the two of them headed