Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 33

Jessica sat beside her on the antique wooden settee.

The two of them faced each other across a small coffee table, which was scattered with all sorts of delicate paper cuttings.

"Jessica, I'm just not satisfied with any of these decorations," Latonia sighed. "It's

a pity your grandmother passed away years ago. The neighbors told me you're quite talented too. Could I trouble you to make some for me?"

Jessica nodded silently.

She didn't speak a word.

Latonia had heard from Herbert that Jessica still hadn't regained her voice.

Latonia led Jessica around the villa, asking her to help spot the best places for the decorations. Jessica took her time, studying the rooms, and snapped photos on her phone of the spots that needed some color.

Communicating in gestures and notes on her phone, Jessica let Latonia know she could finish everything in about two days.

Latonia, who hadn't seen Jessica in so long, insisted she stay for dinner.

Afterwards, Latonia had Herbert drive Jessica home.

the car, Herbert

quickly, her hands moving with practiced grace. "I'm not heading home. I need to buy some materials-could you drop me at the fabric market on the

For paper cuttings?" Herbert was genuinely

and signed

lots of materials can be used for cutting designs. Your house

and wrists poised, making her sign language almost look

forward to seeing her

craft from her grandmother as a child, often

it seemed, she had blended old traditions

she'd even surpassed

off at the fabric market, but instead of leaving, he got out to follow

to wave him off, insisting she could

communicate with the sellers. Let me help with the signing,"

relented, letting him

when Jessica spotted Timothy's older

carefully inspecting bolts of

wanting a confrontation, Jessica ducked

Timothy were twins,

Sallie was single-a hard-charging career woman. After college, she'd used her degree to launch a boutique fashion

her as nothing more than a mute