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.

Jessica climbed into the car, Herbert

heading home. I need

paper cuttings?" Herbert was

smiled and

house has

and wrists poised, making her sign

found himself looking forward

from her grandmother as a

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

she'd even

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

tried to wave him off, insisting she could manage

hard to communicate with the sellers. Let me

letting him tag

had barely stepped inside when Jessica spotted Timothy's

was carefully inspecting bolts

a confrontation, Jessica

and Timothy were twins,

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

always looked down on Jessica, seeing her as nothing more than