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

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

had to scribble notes or type messages on her phone

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

diamond this

her phone: "It's too

just her words, but her own cadence and inflection—exactly

diamond's just a replica. I was worried you'd be upset it wasn't

"How much was

and you're quibbling over a

kindness stand

Herbert said, gathering his things. "Just remember-don't get the necklace wet, and try to get some sleep.

and watching as

car disappeared down the street, she turned and

inside when a warm, strong

Jessica looked up.

eyes met Timothy's, his gaze brooding

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

sliding the box

couldn't speak, and with one hand trapped, she couldn't

the lid with his thumb, studying

the ring he had once bought a matching

knit