Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 26

Jessica hesitated, unsure if she should hand her phone to Herbert.

But Herbert had already slipped it from her grasp.

He tapped away in the app store, quickly downloading a new app.

After a moment, he typed a line into the app: "Little Mute, how does this voice sound?"

A stranger's female voice came from somewhere nearby.

"Do you like it?"

He typed again, the same gentle voice repeating his words.

Jessica realized the sound was coming from the necklace.

Her eyes lit up with surprise. She had never seen a necklace like this-it was fascinating.

And the voice sounded eerily similar to her own, as if it carried echoes of her past.

Jessica hadn't been born mute.

Herbert handed her phone back to her.

"With this app, you just type what you want to say," he explained. "The software can mimic your tone, too. And the more you use it, the more natural it gets."

heart skipped. The prospect

Herbert only knew it because, after they'd reconnected,

she had to scribble notes or

could just type, and it would speak for her-no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read

this size

typed into her phone: "It's

words, but her own

"Silly, the diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd be upset it

"How much was it? Let me

years, and you're quibbling over a little

letting his kindness stand and

rest," Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace wet, and try to get some sleep. Don't forget our plans for

goodbye and watching as he

down the street, she turned and unlocked

had barely stepped inside when a warm, strong hand caught her

Jessica looked up.

met Timothy's, his

tried to push him away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but

the box with the necklace from her

couldn't speak, and with one hand trapped,

the lid with his thumb, studying the necklace

the ring he had

brows knit