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

he's my husband,

pupils widened

a question, he could almost be

for lies or jokes-certainly not

heard Timothy was married, with a son. But

had it Timothy kept

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

Timothy finally returned to

expected to

And she'd married.

Married Timothy.

tightened in

gave an awkward smile and signed again,

never

he did, it would

one knew she

told the world, who

signed the marriage certificate, Timothy had

marriage would

wasn't allowed to reveal she was

now, it was clear her marriage was in

didn't want to touch

you'd buy me dinner? I'm starving. Let's not waste

politely asked if he'd eaten. When he

thoughts, and the