Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Chapter 44

Jessica stepped out of Herbert's car.

Herbert got out as well, slipping his hands into the pockets of his trench coat. He watched her go, his expression soft, his gaze lingering as she walked toward the house.

She'd barely taken a few steps when his voice called out, quiet but clear. "Little Mute."

Jessica turned back.

Herbert's lips parted, as if he'd meant to say something else, but he simply said, "Goodnight."

Jessica smiled and signed goodnight in sign language.

Herbert stood there, motionless, watching until she disappeared inside.

Upstairs, Timothy pinched his cigarette between his fingers, snapping it in half. The glowing tip scattered sparks onto the floor. He turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

Ding-

Jessica keyed in her code. The door swung open. She hadn't even reached for the light switch when strong arms swept her inside, pinning her against the door as someone's lips crashed onto hers.

A faint scent of tobacco, edged with cedar, filled her senses.

It took only a moment for her to realize it was Timothy.

pull away, but he'd already trapped her wrists,

was nowhere to

against the door, the cool wood biting through her

his heated breath mingling with hers, as if he wanted to

Jessica's nerves sparked at his every movement, her body trembling

up. Tears

Her resistance, feeble against his strength,

Timothy's face with both hands, he seemed to think she was

But then-crack.

open palm landed

head snapped to the side, a few pale fingerprints blooming on his skin. Whatever desperate need had been burning inside him vanished in an instant, snuffed out

out and flicked

her breath coming in

suit jacket, looked every bit the composed man he pretended to be.

her

voice broke the silence, cold and flat. "What,

the night

them. Who knew what

asking for a divorce. How could he expect her to

him after that? Her shirt was already missing buttons, torn by his

him, battered and furious, her movements sharp as

narrowed, a sneer curling