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

told you he's my husband, would

pupils widened

question, he could almost

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

with a son. But

Timothy

Herbert thought. When Timothy wrapped up his business before coming back home, he'd sent people to inquire about Jessica. For seven years, there was nothing-no

finally returned to his hometown, hoping for a

never expected to actually run into

And she'd married.

Married Timothy.

in

smile and

never

he did, it would have to stay

she

told the world,

they signed the marriage certificate, Timothy

their marriage would

reveal she

now, it was clear her marriage was in

didn't want to

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

at Jessica's house, she'd politely asked if he'd eaten. When he

brushed away her thoughts, and the two of them headed for