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

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

had to scribble notes or type

type, and it would speak for her-no more awkward moments

diamond this

her phone: "It's too valuable. I

her own cadence and inflection—exactly the

the diamond's just a replica. I

typed, "How much was it? Let me pay

over a little gift?

kindness stand and typed two words:

should let you get 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

nodded, waving goodbye and

the street, she turned and

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

Jessica looked up.

dark eyes met Timothy's, his gaze brooding and

push him away, hand pressed against his solid chest, but he was unmovable—tall, powerful,

sliding the box with the necklace from her

and with one hand

lid with

he had

knit with