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.

into the car, Herbert

moving with practiced grace. "I'm not heading home. I need

For paper cuttings?"

and signed

Your house has a classic look-if I

wrists poised,

himself looking forward to seeing

had learned the craft from her grandmother as a

Now, it seemed, she had blended old traditions with a

she'd even surpassed her

off at the fabric market, but instead

tried to wave him off, insisting she

can't speak—it'll be hard to communicate with the sellers. Let

relented, letting him tag

stepped inside when Jessica spotted

was carefully inspecting bolts of

a confrontation, Jessica

twins,

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

her as nothing more than