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

sign language. Herbert only knew it because, after they'd reconnected, he'd begged

to scribble notes or type messages on her phone and

necklace, she could just type, and it would speak for her-no more awkward moments or delays waiting for someone to read her words. It would save

this size couldn't

her phone: "It's too valuable. I can't

her words, but her own cadence and inflection—exactly

diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd

typed, "How much was it? Let

years, and you're quibbling over a little gift? Are you

kindness stand and typed

some 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

waving goodbye and watching

his car disappeared down the street, she turned and unlocked her

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

Jessica looked up.

met Timothy's, his gaze brooding and

away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was

bent down, sliding the box with the necklace

and with one hand trapped, she couldn't

flicked open the lid with his thumb, studying the necklace

ring he had once bought a matching

knit